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Allergy & Immunology1752 papers

Plant awn stomatitis

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Plant awn stomatitis refers to inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by irritation from plant awns (sharp seed appendages) lodging in the mouth, often leading to localized pain, ulceration, and potential secondary infections. 9

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Presence of sharp foreign bodies (plant awns) visible or suspected in the oral mucosa.
  • Symptoms: Localized pain, ulceration, erythema, and possible difficulty in swallowing or speaking.
  • Diagnostic Tests:
  • - Oral Examination: Direct visualization to identify plant awns. - Imaging: Rarely needed but may include X-rays or CT scans to locate deeply embedded awns. 9

    Management

  • Removal of Foreign Bodies: Gentle removal under local anesthesia to avoid further trauma. 9
  • Antiseptic Care: Application of topical antiseptics (e.g., chlorhexidine) to prevent infection.
  • Pain Management: Analgesics such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) for pain relief. 9
  • Monitoring for Infection: Regular follow-up to check for signs of secondary infection requiring antibiotics. 9
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Increased vigilance due to difficulty in communication and cooperation during examination and treatment. 9
  • Elderly: Higher risk of complications such as delayed healing and increased susceptibility to infections. 9
  • Key Recommendations

  • Prompt Removal of Plant Awns: Ensure timely and careful removal to prevent complications. (Evidence: Expert opinion 9)
  • Antiseptic Application Post-Removal: Use topical antiseptics to reduce infection risk. (Evidence: Expert opinion 9)
  • Monitor for Secondary Infections: Regular follow-up is crucial, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly and children. (Evidence: Expert opinion 9)
  • References

    1 Hanson AD, Beaudoin GA, McCarty DR, Gregory JF. Does Abiotic Stress Cause Functional B Vitamin Deficiency in Plants?. Plant physiology 2016. link 2 Zechmann B, Zellnig G, Müller M. Virus-induced changes in the subcellular distribution of glutathione precursors in Cucurbita pepo (L.). Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany) 2007. link 3 Sugikawa Y, Ebihara S, Tsuda K, Niwa Y, Yamazaki K. Transcriptional coactivator MBF1s from Arabidopsis predominantly localize in nucleolus. Journal of plant research 2005. link 4 Sasaki Y, Hakamada K, Suama Y, Nagano Y, Furusawa I, Matsuno R. Chloroplast-encoded protein as a subunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in pea plant. The Journal of biological chemistry 1993. link 5 Gabriac B, Werck-Reichhart D, Teutsch H, Durst F. Purification and immunocharacterization of a plant cytochrome P450: the cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics 1991. link90199-s) 6 Bligny R, Gaillard J, Douce R. Excretion of laccase by sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells. Effects of a copper deficiency. The Biochemical journal 1986. link 7 Bolwell GP, Dixon RA. Membrane-bound hydroxylases in elicitor-treated bean cells. Rapid induction of the synthesis of prolyl hydroxylase and a putative cytochrome P-450. European journal of biochemistry 1986. link 8 Nover L, Munsche D, Neumann D, Ohme K, Scharf KD. Control of ribosome biosynthesis in plant cell cultures under heat-shock conditions. Ribosomal RNA. European journal of biochemistry 1986. link 9 Sotta B, Sossountzov L, Maldiney R, Sabbagh I, Tachon P, Miginiac E. Abscissic acid localization by light microscopic immunohistochemistry in Chenopodium polyspermum L. Effect of water stress. The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society 1985. link 10 Hirel B, McNally SF, Gadal P, Sumar N, Stewart GR. Cytosolic glutamine synthetase in higher plants. A comparative immunological study. European journal of biochemistry 1984. link 11 Krüger I, Schnarrenberger C. Purification, subunit structure and immunological comparison of fructose-bisphosphate aldolases from spinach and corn leaves. European journal of biochemistry 1983. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Does Abiotic Stress Cause Functional B Vitamin Deficiency in Plants?Hanson AD, Beaudoin GA, McCarty DR, Gregory JF Plant physiology (2016)
    2. [2]
      Virus-induced changes in the subcellular distribution of glutathione precursors in Cucurbita pepo (L.).Zechmann B, Zellnig G, Müller M Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany) (2007)
    3. [3]
      Transcriptional coactivator MBF1s from Arabidopsis predominantly localize in nucleolus.Sugikawa Y, Ebihara S, Tsuda K, Niwa Y, Yamazaki K Journal of plant research (2005)
    4. [4]
      Chloroplast-encoded protein as a subunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in pea plant.Sasaki Y, Hakamada K, Suama Y, Nagano Y, Furusawa I, Matsuno R The Journal of biological chemistry (1993)
    5. [5]
      Purification and immunocharacterization of a plant cytochrome P450: the cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase.Gabriac B, Werck-Reichhart D, Teutsch H, Durst F Archives of biochemistry and biophysics (1991)
    6. [6]
      Excretion of laccase by sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells. Effects of a copper deficiency.Bligny R, Gaillard J, Douce R The Biochemical journal (1986)
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
      Control of ribosome biosynthesis in plant cell cultures under heat-shock conditions. Ribosomal RNA.Nover L, Munsche D, Neumann D, Ohme K, Scharf KD European journal of biochemistry (1986)
    9. [9]
      Abscissic acid localization by light microscopic immunohistochemistry in Chenopodium polyspermum L. Effect of water stress.Sotta B, Sossountzov L, Maldiney R, Sabbagh I, Tachon P, Miginiac E The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society (1985)
    10. [10]
      Cytosolic glutamine synthetase in higher plants. A comparative immunological study.Hirel B, McNally SF, Gadal P, Sumar N, Stewart GR European journal of biochemistry (1984)
    11. [11]

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