SEVERE ISOLATED ALLERGY TO FICUS-BENJAMINA AFTER BEDROOM EXPOSURE

Allergies to Ficus benjamina (Fb, weeping fig) have been described first as an occupational disease in plant keepers and later in clearly atopic subjects with known sensitizations to other inhalant allergens. We report a case of a hitherto nonatopic man with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, contact urticaria, and asthma caused by a Fb kept in his bedroom for 18 months. Rubbing and skin prick test with native fig leaves and sap, and RAST to Fb were clearly positive. No other sensitization could be detected. After eliminating his Fb, he became asymptomatic within a few months. This case shows that private close contact to Fb can also induce allergy even in hitherto nonatopic subjects. Therefore, Fb should not be kept in bedrooms.