Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis to spices.

Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis reactions to spices such as nutmeg, mace, cardamom, curry, cinnamon, and laurel may be rare but may well be overlooked. In our experience, patch testing with these spices "as is" is very useful; if there is a positive reaction, testing with dilutions is helpful. Scratch-chamber testing often leads to false-positive irritant reactions.