[Plants and plant produce--about plants as cause of diseases].

BACKGROUND

Plants and plant products may lead to a variety of skin disorders, commonly referred to as phytodermatoses.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

On the basis of literature studies and on the author's own experience, this article discusses the main groups of phytodermatoses, focusing on Norwegian plants that may cause skin disorders.

RESULTS

A small number of plant families account for more than 95% of the phytodermatoses. Contact allergy to plants of the Compositae family is an important cause of skin disorder. Phytodermatoses are commonly related to the patient's occupation.

INTERPRETATION: Doctors should be familiar with the term phytodermatoses and be aware of plants and plant products as possible causes of skin disorder.