Severe <i>Mitracarpus scarber</i> juice induced facial skin discolourations: A case report

Abstract

This is a case report on a 24-year old dark-skinned lady with incidence of facial skin discolorations secondary to the application of Mitracarpus scaber (MS) juice for the purpose of treating an emerging but unclassified facial skin blemishes. Investigations showed that after several failed attempts to treat the blemishes with two known antifungi creams, she was advised by friends to use the MS juice. She macerated some leaves of MS between her palms to obtain its juice and then applied it on her face. Minutes after, she experienced a burning sensation on her face which subsequently resulted in obvious facial discolourations 48 hours later; forcing her to stop the MS juice application. She was then advised by friends to use a combination herbal therapy comprising honey and Aloe vera. The combination therapy proved to be effective as the discolorations disappeared by the 5^th day from onset. Although the precise type of skin blemish and the mechanisms associated with the observed skin discoloration were not determined, the bioactive constituents in Mitracarpus scaber juice may have played a major role; prompting this reminder that self-medication must be avoided  especially the use of herbal medications if their appropriate doses have not been determined.

Key words: Facial Skin, Discoloration, Herbal therapy, Mitracarpus scaber, Self-Medication.