The fruit of ginkgo tree can cause an allergic reactions following contact, similar to that seen with other plants producing urushiol. The ginkgo tree is the oldest living tree, evolving over 200 million years ago.
Plant: Ginkgo biloba
Allergen: ginkgolic acid, which is similar to urushiol [alk(en)yl-catechols, such as 3-n-pentadecyl-catechol]
Allergic reactions follow contact with the fruit. The allergens are concentrated in the fruit pulp, which is foul smelling. The surrounds an inner seed that is edible and which is the part eaten by the Chinese.
Person at risk:
(1) history of sensitivity to poison ivy or poison oak
(2) history of sensitivity to ginkgo fruit
Types of reactions:
(1) a pruritic dermatitis on the hands following the picking and handling of the fruit
(2) perioral dermatitis, cheilitis, stomatitis, proctitis and pruritus ani after eating the fruit pulp
(3) systemic allergic dermatitis if a larger amount of the fruit pulp is eaten
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