Gloriosa superba Poisoning-induced Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium, the sudden onset of massive hair loss, usually occurs a few days to weeks after an insult like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, toxin exposure, and alopecia areata. Poisonous plant-induced anagen effluvium is a rare clinical presentation. <i>Gloriosa superba</i> is a creeper that abundantly grows in tropical countries such as Africa and South Asia. It is a cash crop with high colchicine content in all its parts. Accidental or deliberate consumption of <i>G. superba</i> tubers is common in tropical countries due to its easy availability. Within hours after consumption, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea occur followed by bone marrow suppression and multi-organ failure in case of severe poisoning. After weeks of these acute manifestations, most of the patients experience excessive hair loss due to dystrophic anagen effluvium. The management of <i>G. superba</i> poisoning is symptomatic. The hair regrowth is usually spontaneous and complete. We report a case of accidental poisoning of <i>G. superba</i> tubers in a 38-year-old female presenting to a dermatologist with anagen effluvium.