The article appeared in the November issue of The Archives of Dermatology . While medical science does not yet know the cause of pemphigus, it has been established that certain drugs can cause the disease in humans. Those drugs include penicillamine, captopul and ritampicin. As when drugs are involved, elimination of the inciting ingredients may be crucial for management of the disease.
Capers are a close cousin.
It is an irritant to mucous membranes and produces blistering if left in contact with membranes long enough. Erythematosus has been caused by tincture of benzoin and contact with chromate has also caused pemphigus. Urushiol causes contact dermatitis and is most notably found in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac which are related to mango, pistachio and cashew. Another phenol is pinene, used in baked goods, beverages, condiments, candies and ice cream. It is in tomatoes, potatoes, mangos and bananas.