Euphorbia urethritis: The minor scourge of the Garden Spurge

A 55-year-old man, without evident sexual risk, presented with symptoms of a urethritis and balanitis. This followed directly from exposure to organic residue from a domestic plant, the Euphorbia or Garden Spurge, found on his fingers after gardening. A review of relevant medical literature reveals little putative association between exposure to this plant and genital symptomatology. However, historical sources are presented suggesting the effect may previously have been well recognised.

Keywords: Genitourinary medicine; NGU; balanitis; inflammation; urethritis.