How do tulips cause allergic contact dermatitis?

Updated: Nov 19, 2018
  • Author: Glen H Crawford, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Tuliposide A, a glycoside, is found in the white epidermis of bulbs. This compound is converted to tulipalin A, the allergen, by means of acidic hydrolysis. Tuliposide B, the alpha-hydroxy derivative of tuliposide A, and the hydrolytic product tulipalin B are commonly found in tulips; they are much weaker sensitizers than tulipalin A.

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