Anaphylaxis to topical Aloe vera in a birch pollen allergic child

Background Ingredients of aloe vera leaves are being increasingly used for their anti-inflammatory and slimming properties. However, serious allergic reactions are very rare and only occasionally reported. Here, we present an eleven year old girl with anaphylaxis within minutes after topical administration of aloe vera to a skin lesion. On admission, the girl showed no signs of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise after having been stabilized by her GP. Apart from mild allergic rhinitis symptoms during the birch pollen season, she had no other atopic disease. The family history revealed respiratory allergies in the mother and anaphylaxis to insect stings in the father.