CASE REPORT   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 1998 December;133(6):431-3

Copyright © 1998 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Fire coral skin disease

Bardazzi F., Fiorentini C., Landi C., Patrizi A.

Università degli Studi - Bologna, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica Specialistica e Sperimentale, Sezione di Dermatologia

Fire coral are coelenterates of the milleporina order. Their toxin-releasing nematocysts cause, immediately after contact, cutaneous lesions such as acute orticaria, eczema, chronic granulomas and lichenoid eruptions that, usually, occur sequentially. The severity of the reaction depends on the number of nematocysts discharged, the toxicity of the venom and the sensitivity of the individual. It has generally been assumed that, in addition to type I hypersensitivity, type IV allergy and persistent delayed cutaneous reactions to coelenterates, toxic meccanism are probably involved. Patients with atopic eczema and/or seafood allergy are considered to be at risk. Two cases of fire coral skin disease are reported.