Gloriosa superba Poisoning-induced Anagen Effluvium

ABSTRACT Anagen effluvium, the sudden onset of massive hair loss, usually occurs a few days to weeks after an insult like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, toxin exposure, and alopecia areata. Poisonous plant-induced anagen effluvium is a rare clinical presentation. Gloriosa superba is a creeper that abundantly grows in tropical countries such as Africa and South Asia. It is a cash crop with high colchicine content in all its parts. Accidental or deliberate consumption of G. superba tubers is common in tropical countries due to its easy availability. Within hours after consumption, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea occur followed by bone marrow suppression and multi-organ failure in case of severe poisoning. After weeks of these acute manifestations, most of the patients experience excessive hair loss due to dystrophic anagen effluvium. The management of G. superba poisoning is symptomatic. The hair regrowth is usually spontaneous and complete. We report a case of accidental poisoning of G. superba tubers in a 38-year-old female presenting to a dermatologist with anagen effluvium.