Allergic contact dermatitis to neem oil: an underrated allergen?

Neem oil is a vegetable oil obtained from cold pressure of the neem (Azadirachta indica), a fast-growing evergreen that is widely present in Asia, and much used in cosmetic products of Ayurvedic medicine (1,2). Its most important constituents include oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, behenic acid, arachidic acid, and palmitoleic acid. Despite the common notion that botanical or herbal substances are as safe, these products may induce allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)(3,4). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.