Phytophotodermatitis

Phytophotodermatitis. No, I did not make that word up.  It is a special kind of rash which occurs when someone is exposed to plant material (PHTYO) and then sun (PHOTO) and then develops a rash.

Interesting case a few weeks ago….I saw a girl with a peculiar rash on her skin.  I immediately thought … lime juice.  Sure enough, the little one had been squeezing lemon and lime into a water bottle while playing outside a few days earlier.  We nerdy doctors love solving a difficult case like this!

Phytophotodermatitis can cause a red, even blistering rash, followed by brown discoloration as you can see in the photo.  The rash only occurs where there is exposure to both things.  It will run its course and the discoloration will improve over many weeks.  When there is active red rash a prescription cortisone cream is helpful.

Other common plants that can be associated with this reaction are parsnip, parsley, celery, hogweed, carrot, lemon, lime, bergamot orange, rue and fig. Lime is by far the most common and much more likely to cause a reaction compared to lemon.

To learn more check out these links below.

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