vitamin-k-semiquinone-radical and Erythema

Between 1964 and 1994, at least 52 patients with cutaneous adverse effects of vitamin K have been described in the European and North American literature. A review of the details of these patients is given and 2 new cases reported. Adverse effects are seen not only in patients with liver-function disturbances but also in patients without liver diseases, and occur mostly after intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of vitamin K1, independent of the total dose. Patch and intracutaneous tests often give positive reactions. The mechanism of action is probably in many patients a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Contact; Erythema; Europe; Female; Humans; Injections; Intradermal Tests; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Patch Tests; United States; Vitamin K; Vitamin K 1

In four patients the development of erythematous plaques after vitamin K injections was apparently due to delayed hypersensitivity reactions. The 36 cases described in the literature indicate that most patients with the reaction received vitamin K injections for liver disease and that a late sclerodermatous reaction develops rarely.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Drug Eruptions; Drug Hypersensitivity; Erythema; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Pruritus; Vitamin K

Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to vitamin K are rare. They occur almost exclusively with fat-soluble vitamin K (K1). The lesion is most commonly a pruritic, indurated plaque at the site where the vitamin was injected. Most plaques resolve within 4 to 8 week without sequelae, but some progress to produce scar-like changes that may last for years.

Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Drug Hypersensitivity; Erythema; Female; Humans; Vitamin K

We present a case of a 70-year-old woman who received multiple intramuscular vitamin K injections before undergoing an invasive diagnostic procedure. Four weeks later she noted enlarging annular erythematous plaques at the sites of each injection. Although this occurrence has been recognized in the European literature, it either occurs less frequently in the United States or is not commonly reported. This is the second case report in the English literature.

Topics: Abdomen; Aged; Erythema; Female; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Vitamin K

Topics: Acetylcholine; Aerosols; Albumins; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Bradykinin; Bronchial Spasm; Edema; Erythema; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Gossypium; Granuloma; Guinea Pigs; Histamine; History of Medicine; In Vitro Techniques; Inflammation; Irritants; Kaolin; Lung; Male; Prednisolone; Rats; Serotonin; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin K; Vitamin K 1