Fancy a drink in the sun? Beware, things could get VERY painful
If you're partial to a margarita or a Corona with lime on a summer's evening, you had better be careful where you drink it.
Some terrifying pictures have been doing the rounds online over the last few days, all showing painful looking chemical skin burns from a very unexpected source. Phytophotodermatitis, a.ka. "margarita dermatitis", occurs when the sun's UV rays come into contact with the juice or oil of certain plants, vegetables or fruit… in particular lime juice.
All it takes is for a splash of lime juice to land on your skin on a hot day for a reaction to occur, although it can take a few days for the burn to fully develop. If you don't wash the juice off quickly, you'll be left with painful flaking, redness and burning. OW. Depending on the level of heat and the amount of juice, the reaction can range from minor:
TO MAJOR:
Search #phytophotodermatitis on Instagram if you're in the mood for anything more graphic (read: BLISTERS BLISTERS BLISTERS).
Limes aren't the only cause of the burns, either. If you're preparing anything containing citrus fruits, celery, wild parsley, wild parsnip, wild dill or other wild flowers before heading outside, be sure to wash up well with soap and water.
And if you have been unlucky enough to be affected, you have a couple of options. For mild reactions, an application of 1% hydrocortisone cream two or three times a day should help clear it up and reduce pain. For more severe peeling or blistering, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. Don't panic though, as even major reactions should heal completely in time.
Today's lesson – keep those margarita pitchers indoors, people.
