Glochid

Last updated
Glochids and spines on a species of Opuntia. The spines are the relatively large, radiating organs; the glochids are the fine prickles in the centres of the bunches. Glochider1000.jpg
Glochids and spines on a species of Opuntia . The spines are the relatively large, radiating organs; the glochids are the fine prickles in the centres of the bunches.
Glochids (Opuntia microdasys monstrose) Opuntia microdasys monstrose.jpg
Glochids (Opuntia microdasys monstrose)

Glochids or glochidia (SG: "glochidium") are hair-like spines or short prickles, generally barbed, found on the areoles of cacti in the sub-family Opuntioideae . Cactus glochids easily detach from the plant and lodge in the skin, causing irritation upon contact. The tufts of glochids in the areoles nearly cover the stem surfaces of some cactus species, each tuft containing hundreds of glochids; this may be in addition to, or instead of, the larger, more conspicuous cactus spines, which do not readily detach and are not generally barbed.

Contents

Mechanical irritant dermatitis

Reaction to the glochidia

Most cacti possess spines, some large enough to cause serious wounds. Glochids however, though smaller, commonly induce more troublesome, more persistent, dermatological manifestations in humans. Though minute, glochids commonly are barbed and once they have penetrated the skin barbed glochids are practically impossible to dislodge without leaving scraps of foreign material in the wound.

Implantation of glochidia in the skin does sometimes cause immediate irritation, but not always, as one may deduce from the presentation of patients with granulomatous lesions around glochidia, patients who have no recollection of the penetration that caused the acute injury, even when it is clear that the injury is far from fresh. Distraction or excitement might cause the victim to overlook brushing past a cactus and picking up a few hundred barely visible glochids. In such cases, the irritant reaction may have a delayed onset. Shanon reported that brushing his axillary skin with sabra fruit resulted in no symptoms for a half-hour, followed by 1+12 hours of "stabbing feelings". [1] Winer reports immediate burning sensation, redness and swelling which remained for one to three days if the spines were removed. [2] Depending on the exposure, widespread areas may be involved, even extending to hard palate, tongue, conjunctiva and cornea. [1]

If the glochidia are not removed, a response may ensue that eventuates in granulomatous dermatitis. Within 24 to 72 hours there is the appearance of 2- to 5-mm, asymptomatic, domed, glistening papules, sometimes erythematous, with a central pin-point-sized black dot at the site of the injury. [3] There may be groups of these papules. Vesicles and pustules and even focal ulceration may also occur. [1] In some instances, diagnosis can be made easily by passing the fingers over the affected area and by feeling the embedded glochidia. [1]

Left untreated, these lesions may last as long as 9 months. A biopsy of the later lesions reveals granuloma formation with plant material embedded in the dermis. The fragments of the barbed bristles gave strongly positive reactions with PAS. [4] The presence of a cactus granuloma lesion is often followed by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. [5]

Penetrating injuries can introduce pathogenic microorganisms into the wound. Examples include Clostridium tetani and Staphylococcus aureus (from spines and thorns), Sporothrix schenckii (from rose thorns, grasses, and sphagnum moss), Mycobacterium kansasii (from blackberries), Mycobacterium marinum (from cactus spines), and Mycobacterium ulcerans (from spiky tropical vegetation).

Glochids from prickly pears ( Opuntia species) can cause an extremely itchy, papular eruption called sabra dermatitis, which can easily be confused with scabies or fiberglass dermatitis.

Sabra dermatitis

Sabra dermatitis Sabra Dermatitis.JPG
Sabra dermatitis

The skin reaction of gatherers of the fruit was described in Israel and is known as "sabra dermatitis". [1] This condition is characterized by a papular or vesicular reaction that is sometimes scabies-like. It has also been described as tinea-like [6] and dyshidrosis-like. [7] The hard palate and tongue are occasionally affected. [8] Typical areas of involvement of this irritant dermatitis include fingers, wrists, genitals, thorax, and buttocks. Biopsy of these lesions will reveal that they contain glochidia. Glochidia may be transferred to the workers' clothing and thence to other individuals. It is recommended that the fruit should be picked only when wetted, and picking should be stopped when it is windy since the glochidia can become airborne. [5] [8] [9]

Removal of glochidia

Glochid are barbed, making removal somewhat difficult. On the right is the similarly barbed foxtail. Hordeum murinum retrorse barbs SEM.jpg
Glochid are barbed, making removal somewhat difficult. On the right is the similarly barbed foxtail.

If the glochidia are allowed to remain in the skin, a dermatitis may ensue that will persist for months. It may help to treat the affected area with a topical corticosteroid. [10] However, since the presence of glochidia is the inciting factor, removal of these minute spines is generally preferable.

Glochidia may be difficult to remove. Yanking out the bristles may result in leaving one or more 20–30 micrometre sized barbs in the skin, later to be manifest by granuloma formation. [3] Attempts to suck out the glochidia are likely to result in their attachment to the tongue. [7] Popular methods of removing glochidia have included spreading adhesive plaster over the area and ripping it off quickly or using melted wax (as is used in wax hair removal). Martinez et al. studied various methods of removing glochidia from rabbit skin. They evaluated tweezers, glue, facial mask, adhesive tape, package-sealing tape, and tweezing followed by glue. The most effective single method was tweezing, which removed 76% of the spines. The method using a thin layer of household glue covered with gauze, allowed to dry (about 30 minutes) and then peeled off resulted in removal of 63% of the spines. Facial masks and adhesive tapes removed about 40% and 30% of the spines, respectively, and produced more retention and inflammation three days after removal than no treatment. Repeated applications of adhesive tape did not improve the results. According to Martinez, the most effective method is to first use tweezers to remove clumps of spines followed by the application and removal of household glue, resulting in removal of 95% of the spines. [11]

Unroofing the early vesicles or pustules may permit manual extraction of the spicules. Soaking unroofed papules may allow for extrusion of the glochidia. Faster resolution may be obtained by removing the papules. A method of treatment has been described for the granulomatous papules, and involves unroofing the granulomatous papules, removing the glochidia fragments under a dissecting microscope, and subsequently soaking the wound in an antibacterial solution. [5] [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanocytic nevus</span> Medical condition

A melanocytic nevus is usually a noncancerous condition of pigment-producing skin cells. It is a type of melanocytic tumor that contains nevus cells. Some sources equate the term mole with "melanocytic nevus", but there are also sources that equate the term mole with any nevus form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granuloma</span> Aggregation of macrophages in response to chronic inflammation

A granuloma is an aggregation of macrophages that forms in response to chronic inflammation. This occurs when the immune system attempts to isolate foreign substances that it is otherwise unable to eliminate. Such substances include infectious organisms including bacteria and fungi, as well as other materials such as foreign objects, keratin, and suture fragments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Areole</span> Bumps on cacti out of which grow clusters of spines

In botany, areoles are small light- to dark-colored bumps on cacti out of which grow clusters of spines. Areoles are important diagnostic features of cacti, and identify them as a family distinct from other succulent plants. The spines are not easily detachable, but on certain cacti, members of the subfamily Opuntioideae, smaller, detachable bristles, glochids, also grow out of the areoles and afford additional protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nummular dermatitis</span> Medical condition

Nummular dermatitis is one of the many forms of dermatitis. It is characterized by round or oval-shaped itchy lesions. The name comes from the Latin word "nummus," which means "coin."

<i>Opuntia microdasys</i> Species of cactus

Opuntia microdasys is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native and endemic to central and northern Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perioral dermatitis</span> Medical condition

Perioral dermatitis, also known as periorificial dermatitis, is a common type of skin rash. Symptoms include multiple small (1–2 mm) bumps and blisters sometimes with background redness and scale, localized to the skin around the mouth and nostrils. Less commonly the eyes and genitalia may be involved. It can be persistent or recurring and resembles particularly rosacea and to some extent acne and allergic dermatitis. The term "dermatitis" is a misnomer because this is not an eczematous process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granuloma annulare</span> Medical condition

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common, sometimes chronic skin condition which presents as reddish bumps on the skin arranged in a circle or ring. It can initially occur at any age, though two-thirds of patients are under 30 years old, and it is seen most often in children and young adults. Females are two times as likely to have it as males.

Kyrle disease is identified as a form of an acquired perforating disease. Other major perforating diseases are elastosis perforans serpiginosa and reactive perforating collagenosis. Recently, however, there is a controversy on categorizing Kyrle disease with perforating dermatosis or a subtype of acquired perforating collagenosis.

Id reactions are types of acute dermatitis developing after days or weeks at skin locations distant from the initial inflammatory or infectious site. They can be localised or generalised. This is also known as an 'autoeczematous response' and there must be an identifiable initial inflammatory or infectious skin problem which leads to the generalised eczema. Often intensely itchy, the red papules and pustules can also be associated with blisters and scales and are always remote from the primary lesion. It is most commonly a blistering rash with itchy vesicles on the sides of fingers and feet as a reaction to fungal infection on the feet, athlete's foot. Stasis dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, acute irritant contact eczema and infective dermatitis have been documented as possible triggers, but the exact cause and mechanism is not fully understood. Several other types of id reactions exist including erythema nodosum, erythema multiforme, Sweet's syndrome and urticaria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarium granuloma</span> Medical condition

Aquarium granuloma is a rare skin condition caused by a non-tubercular mycobacterium known as Mycobacterium marinum. Skin infections with M. marinum in humans are relatively uncommon, and are usually acquired from contact with contaminated swimming pools, aquariums or infected fish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silicone granuloma</span> Medical condition

Silicone granulomas are a skin condition that occur as a reaction to liquid silicones, and are characterized by the formation of nodules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zirconium granuloma</span> Medical condition

Zirconium granulomas are a skin condition characterized by a papular eruption involving the axillae, and are sometimes considered an allergic reaction to deodorant containing zirconium lactate. They are the result of a delayed granulomatous hypersensitivity reaction, and can also occur from exposure to aluminum zirconium complexes. Commonly, zirconium containing products are used to relieve toxicodendron irritation. The lesions are similar to those from sarcoidosis, and commonly manifest four to six weeks after contact. They appear as erythematous, firm, raised, shiny papules. Corticosteroids are used to ease the inflammation, but curative treatment is currently unavailable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fungal folliculitis</span> Inflammation of hair follicles due to fungal infection

Majocchi's granuloma is a skin condition characterized by deep, pustular plaques, and is a form of tinea corporis. It is a localized form of fungal folliculitis. Lesions often have a pink and scaly central component with pustules or folliculocentric papules at the periphery. The name comes from Domenico Majocchi, who discovered the disorder in 1883. Majocchi was a professor of dermatology at the University of Parma and later the University of Bologna. The most common dermatophyte is called Trichophyton rubrum.

Actinic granuloma (AG) was first described by O'Brien in 1975 as a rare granulomatous disease. Lesions appear on sun-exposed areas, usually on the face, neck, and scalp, with a slight preference for middle-aged women. They are typically asymptomatic, single or multiple, annular or polycyclic lesions measuring up to 6 cm in diameter, with slow centrifugal expansion, an erythematous elevated edge, and a hypopigmented, atrophic center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebaceous adenoma</span> Medical condition

A sebaceous adenoma, a type of adenoma, a cutaneous condition characterized by a slow-growing tumor usually presenting as a pink, flesh-coloured, or yellow papule or nodule.

<i>Opuntia</i> Genus of cactus

Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae, many known for their flavorful fruit and showy flowers. Prickly pear alone is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the fruit, but may also be used for the plant itself; in addition, other names given to the plant and its specific parts include tuna (fruit), sabra, nopal from the Nahuatl word nōpalli, nostle (fruit) from the Nahuatl word nōchtli, and paddle cactus. The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastus, an edible plant grew and could be propagated by rooting its leaves. The most common culinary species is the Indian fig opuntia (O. ficus-indica).

Acroangiodermatitis of Mali is a rare cutaneous condition often characterized by purplish-blue to brown papules and plaques on the medial and lateral malleolus of both legs.

Fiddler's neck is an occupational disease that affects violin and viola players.

Childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis (CGPD), is a rare benign granulomatous skin disease of unknown cause. The disorder was first described in 1970 by Gianotti in a case series of five children. CGPD is more common in boys than girls.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Shanon, Jacob (1956). "Sabra Dermatitis". AMA Archives of Dermatology. 74 (3): 269–75. doi:10.1001/archderm.1956.01550090043009. PMID   13361492.
  2. Winer, Louis H. (1955). "Cactus Granulomas of the Skin". AMA Archives of Dermatology. 72 (6): 566–9. doi:10.1001/archderm.1955.03730360072010. PMID   13268063.
  3. 1 2 Schreiber, Michael M. (1971). "Cactus Granulomas of the Skin". Archives of Dermatology. 104 (4): 374–9. doi:10.1001/archderm.1971.04000220032006. PMID   4107156.
  4. Suzuki, Hiroyuki; Baba, Shunichi (1993). "Cactus Granuloma of the Skin". The Journal of Dermatology. 20 (7): 424–7. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.1993.tb01311.x. PMID   8408924.
  5. 1 2 3 Goodheart, Herbert P; Huntley, Arthur C (2001). "Rash after visiting Tucson". Dermatology Online Journal. 7 (2): 10. PMID   12165226. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  6. Plant Contact Dermatitis, Claude Benezra., George Ducombs, Yves Sell, Jean Foussereau. B.C. Decker Inc Toronto. 1985[ page needed ]
  7. 1 2 Vassileva, S; Stransky, L (1987). "Beruflich bedingte dyshidrosiforme Dermatitis der Hände nach Kontakt mit Kakteen. Kasuistische Mitteilung" [Occupationally-induced dyshidrosiform dermatitis of the hands following contact with cacti. Case report]. Dermatosen in Beruf Und Umwelt. Occupation and Environment (in German). 35 (6): 204–5. PMID   2964356. INIST   7582492.
  8. 1 2 Opuntia in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
  9. Botanical Dermatology at eMedicine
  10. Spoerke, DG; Spoerke, SE (1991). "Granuloma formation induced by spines of the cactus, Opuntia acanthocarpa". Veterinary and Human Toxicology. 33 (4): 342–4. PMID   1897129.
  11. Martinez, Terry T. (1987). "Removal of Cactus Spines From the Skin". American Journal of Diseases of Children. 141 (12): 1291–2. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1987.04460120053033. PMID   3687870.
  12. Doctoroff, A; Vidimos, AT; Taylor, JS (2000). "Cactus skin injuries". Cutis. 65 (5): 290–2. PMID   10826089.