Minerva
BMJ 2010; 340 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c3266 (Published 23 June 2010) Cite this as: BMJ 2010;340:c3266- Sara Dodd, medical student
- sdodd{at}ucl.ac.uk
A 50 year old woman presented to the emergency department with a two day history of a widespread itchy rash associated with a slight fever, malaise, and vague abdominal pain. Examination revealed a streaky dermatitis especially over the trunk and arms. When questioned, she recalled eating shiitake mushrooms the day before the onset; some had been eaten raw. She was treated with chlorphenamine tablets and betamethasone valerate cream and the eruption resolved. The flagellate dermatitis caused by shiitake mushrooms is a very distinctive eruption. The mechanism is uncertain and may be toxic or allergic in nature. Cooking may denature the substance responsible.⇑
Notes
Cite this as: BMJ 2010;340:c3266
Footnotes
Patient consent obtained.