Contact Dermatitis Caused by a Grass, Axonopus Compressus, in a Healthy Adult Male Practicing Open Defecation

A 58-year-old male developed contact dermatitis from exposure to Axonopus compressus, a type of grass, while practising open defecation due to lack of toilet facilities. The patient presented with pruritic erythematous and hyperpigmented papules on the buttocks and thighs. Initial treatment with topical clobetasol propionate, oral antihistamines, and emollients provided partial relief, but lesions recurred. Patch testing confirmed allergic contact dermatitis from the grass. After avoiding further exposure and resuming treatment, the patient's symptoms resolved without recurrence. This case highlights the health risks associated with open defecation, including phytodermatitis, and the need for proper sanitation facilities.