Photoallergic contact dermatitis to brosimum wood

Tropical woods are mainly used in the manufacture of furniture, musical instruments and handicrafts, because they are strong, hard, and resistant to moisture. They frequently cause allergic contact dermatitis (1), usually in an occupational context, like in woodcutters, carpenters and joiners, generally because of the contact with sawdust (direct or airborne contact dermatitis). Contact dermatitis because of the solid wood of finished articles is much less common. Even so, they have been described for the contact with musical instruments, bracelets, necklaces, and knife handles (2–5).