ABSTRACT
Garlic is an herb which has been used by many cultures for treating various health
problems for centuries. Uncontrolled use of herbal remedies, known as alternative
treatment methods, may lead to side effects and serious treatment complications. This
study aimed to draw attention to complications related to alternative treatment methods
and to review the literature in the light of this case.
A female patient who had been treated for trigeminal neuralgia was admitted to our
clinic complaining of severe pain on the left side of her face. In anamnesis, the
patient reported that she had applied garlic topically to this region. Extraoral examination
revealed a broad cutaneous burn on the same region. According to a dermatology consultation,
a treatment for cutaneous burns was applied and severe trigeminal neuralgia pain was
eliminated with glycerol injection by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. (Eur J Dent
2010;4:88-90)
Key words
Garlic burn - Trigeminal neuralgia - Herbal medicine
