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Brownish palmar discolouration due to cashewnut dermatitis
Corresponding author: Dr. Vijayasankar Palaniappan, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Madagadipet, Pondicherry, India. vijayasankarpalaniappan@gmail.com
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Palaniappan V, Radhakrishnan S, Karthikeyan K. Brownish palmar discolouration due to cashewnut dermatitis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. doi: 10.25259/IJDVL_918_2024
A 45-year-old man reported a six-month history of asymptomatic brownish-black discolouration on both palms. He worked as a farmer and frequently handled raw cashewnuts and shell oil, which he sold manually. A skin examination revealed well-defined brown macules on his fingers and palms, while the rest of his skin appeared normal [Figure 1]. Based on his occupational history, along with clinical and dermoscopy findings [Figure 2], he was diagnosed with cashewnut dermatitis. In the cashewnut, the space between the inner kernel and the double-layered outer shell contains a highly caustic brown, oily liquid rich in anacardic acid and cardol. Workers who handle cashewnut shells are exposed to the shell oil during the slicing process, which causes cauterisation, clinically presenting as brownish to black, thick layers of dead skin on the palmar and dorsal surfaces of their hands.
- Brownish discolouration of the bilateral palms.
- Brownish pigmentation of furrow and ridges on the palm. (Polarising dermoscopy, Dermlite dL4, 10x).
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The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent.
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation
The authors confirm that there was no use of AI-assisted technology for assisting in the writing or editing of the manuscript and no images were manipulated using AI.
