The 60-year-old patient in Thai Binh was admitted to the hospital with large blisters in both legs, severe itching, burning pain and signs of severe inflammation.
According to the patient, during cold weather, she listens to advertisements about a type of leaf powder that is said to help keep the body warm and improve health. Believing the word-of-mouth effect, she used this powder to soak her feet regularly. However, after only a few times of use, both legs began to swell with water, with unpleasant itching and painful burning.
Instead of going to the hospital early, the patient self-treated at home by applying unknown origin medicine for three days. When the condition became more and more serious, the blisters spread, and the red inflammation became more severe, she went to the local medical facility. However, the injury did not improve but continued to worsen, forcing her family to take her to E. Hospital.
MSc. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien - Department of Immunological and Dermatology Allergies, Hospital E - said that the patient was admitted to the hospital with severe allergic contact dermatitis. The skin from the middle of the lower leg is swollen, severe red inflammation, many large blisters break out, causing discharge, and there is a high risk of re-inflammation. If not intervened promptly, the patient may face the risk of profound infection, even widespread necrosis.
Immediately upon admission, doctors quickly deployed an active treatment regimen: using anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, combined with intensive injury care to control infection and restore affected skin.
Dr. Tien emphasized that allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin is exposed to irritants or allergens. In many cases, some leaves seem harmless but contain compounds that cause strong allergies. When used on sensitive or previously damaged skin, these ingredients can cause serious inflammation, even leading to necrosis.
"Intentionally using leaves and leaf powder with unknown ingredients to soak and apply to the skin is extremely dangerous. If you experience unusual signs such as burning, swelling, or severe itching after contact with any herb, stop using it immediately and go to a medical facility for timely examination" - Dr. Tien recommends.
