Lichen picker's dermatitis (Cladonia alpestris (L) Rab.)

Abstract

The frequency and immunological background of dermatitis occurring in lichen pickers during the 3 to 4 mo. picking season were studied in a small community in northern Finland. Of 164 lichen pickers, 30 had suffered from dermatitis at least on the fingers and the dorsa of their hands, and many of them also had dermatitis on their forearms and faces. Fifteen of them were subjected to epicutaneous and photo-epicutaneous testing with crushed C. alpestris (L.) Rab. and some fractions of it. Allergic contact reactions were seen in 9 subjects, 3 of whom also had positive photo-epicutaneous test reactions from lichen allergens. No immediate reactions were seen in scratch or scratch chamber tests with crushed C. alpestris or with its alcoholic extract. [C. alpestris is used as an ornamental and its extracts are used for medicinal purposes.].