A 55-year-old man, without evident sexual risk, presented with symptoms of a urethritis and balanitis. This followed directly from exposure to organic residue from a domestic plant, the Euphorbia or Garden Spurge, found on his fingers after gardening. A review of relevant medical literature reveals little putative association between exposure to this plant and genital symptomatology. However, historical sources are presented suggesting the effect may previously have been well recognised.
CAB International. Invasive species compendium.
Wallingford:
CAB International.
2.
GusenbauerM.Google Scholar to overshadow them all? Comparing the sizes of 12 academic search engines and bibliographic databases.Scientometrics2019;
118: 177.
3.
ShokeenPBalaMTandonV.Evaluation of the activity of 16 medicinal plants against Neisseria gonorrhoeae.Int J Antimicrob Agents2009;
33: 86–91.
BoerickeW. New manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory (1927). 41st impression 2018 B. New Delhi: Jain Publishers.
6.
ModiGMDohertyCBKattaR.Orengo IF irritant contact dermatitis from plants. Dermatitis2009;
20: 63–78.
7.
McVeighK.Ubiquitous euphorbia is anything but euphoria for the eye: a reminder to get any area of contact with the toxic sap under the tap.Eye (Lond)2018;
32: 243–247.
8.
Amissah-ArthurKNGroppeM.Beware the ornamental plant.Emerg Med J2010;
27: 647.
9.
WilcoxRR.Venereal disease in West Africa.Nature1946;
157:416–419.
10.
HornerPBleeKO'MahonyC, et al.2015 UK National Guideline on the management of non-gonococcal urethritis.Int J STD AIDS2016;
27: 85–96.
