Cosmetic Surgery Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cosmetic Surgery, including details on microsurgery, reconstruction, techniques, risks.

Self-inflicted garlic burns: our experience and literature review.

Friedman T, Shalom A, Westreich M

From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel (affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel).

Background Throughout history, garlic has been used to treat a large variety of illnesses. One of garlic's adverse local effects is contact dermatitis. Methods We present three patients treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery for suspected self-inflicted lower extremity burns. Results The burns had unique features, not consistent with the etiology first claimed by the patients. All were soldiers with low motivation who confessed to using garlic to cause the burns. Conclusions Garlic application usually results in local inflammation, but, if applied under a pressure bandage, or if there is poor wound care or a secondary infection, it can cause a severe dermal reaction and a deep chemical burn. We present these cases to increase physician awareness of the characteristics of self-inflicted garlic burns, and review the dermatotoxic effect.

Published 16 October 2006 in Int J Dermatol, 45(10): 1161-3.
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