Abstract

This article reviews the effects of an oral solution of Rhus toxicodendron extract taken by patients during 2002 for prevention of contact allergic dermatitis. The solution used in this study was a concentration of 0.0001% Rhus toxicodendron (6X/12X) A sublingual dose of 3 mL was given on day 0, day 7 and day 14, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 mL, given at monthly intervals for 7 more doses. Instructions were to hold the solution under the tongue for 30 seconds and to swallow any remaining solution. Therapy was to be initiated before March and continued through September (although this did not always occur). A total of 73 patients were prescribed the oral solutions, 58 of whom could be contacted for follow-up. Two of these had not had a poison-ivy reaction in he previous year and so were excluded from the results. Of the remaining 56 patients, 25 (44.6%) had no poison-ivy reaction for the year with the oral solution. An additional 27 (48.2%) either reported a reaction that was less severe or reported fewer poison-ivy reactions for the year with the oral solution. Of the 58 patients, 56 (96.6%) said they would use the product again, 54 (93.1%) said they would recommend the product to a family member or friend, and 54 (93.1%) said they would recommend to their physician that he or she prescribe this medication for other patients. Only one patient reported mild facial flushing. The authors conclude that a dilute solution of Rhus toxicodendron dosed orally shows promise as an effective method for controlling reactions caused by poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, with 52 of 56 patients reporting reduced severity in symptoms associated with allergic contact dermatitis.

Related Keywords

• Contact allergic dermatitis, poison ivy, prevention of
• Contact dermatitis, poison ivy, prevention of
• Poison ivy, prevention of
• Rhus toxicodendron, in the prevention of poison ivy

Related Categories

• DERMATOLOGY
• ENVIRONMENTAL