Garlic burns: a not-so-rare complication of a naturopathic remedy?

Abstract

A 60-year-old eastern European man presented to the emergency room complaining of burns to both feet for approximately 6 days duration. The patient suffered from chronic diabetic neuropathy in his lower extremities. At the recommendation of a family member, he had applied crushed raw garlic to his feet and covered them with occlusive bandages for approximately 12 h. The patient was initially evaluated by his primary-care provider and was treated with Silvadene cream. He presented to the emergency department 3 days later due to low-grade fever and increasing wound erythema (Fig. 1). The patient required inpatient admission to the burn unit for intravenous nafcillin for his cellulitis, hydrotherapy, and Accuzyme wound debridement. His hospital course was uncomplicated. He was discharged on hospital day 3 on oral dicloxicillin with home nursing for continued dressing changes. The lesions resolved without incident over the next 4 weeks.