We are talking about “Margarita burns”.
An aperitif with friends, a big sun, a lake in the background … and two days later, a medical emergency. Amber, 34, benefits from a weekend in a chalet by the water. Around noon, she prepared a refreshing cocktail before settling in the sun. But this apparently harmless moment turns into a nightmare. Two days later, she wakes up in panic with violent pain in the hands. Between his fingers and on the top, impressive blisters have formed. “Atrocious burns. I almost vomited “, she says. Faced with pain, Amber spins in the emergency room. “When I arrive in the hospital, the doctor is disconcerted. At the beginning, he thinks of an allergic reaction then evokes a phytophotodermatite, colloquially known as the ‘Margarita’ burns”, She explains to Foxnews.
The case of amber is not isolated. Several scientific publications document this phenomenon. In question: natural chemical substances, furocoumarins, present in certain plants such as lime, celery or fig. Once on the skin, these molecules become toxic when exposed to UVA rays. “At first glance, it can pass for an ugly sunshine”, explains Dr. Melissa Piliang, dermatologist, in an article published by the Cleveland Clinic. The reaction generally occurs between 24 and 48 hours after exposure and causes redness, swelling, blisters, burns and intense itching. A gesture as simple as pressing a lemon before exposing the sun can be enough to trigger this type of burning.
“”Symptoms only develop in areas where chemicals touches the skin, which explains strange shapes like streaks or points where lime juice has been able to flow on the skin or splash“, Complete Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital (USA). It is because of Margarita’s pitcher prepared for her friends that the young woman developed this violent allergy. This famous cocktail is based on tequila, triple dry and lemons. Furocoumarins were already absorbed by the skin.
Everyone is at risk. Even more clear -skinned people, barmans and catering employees who handle citrus fruits on the terraces, pool bars and seaside establishments. Most of the time, these burns are benign and disappear in a few days using corticosteroid cream. If, like Amber, the eruption persists, consult a doctor. To avoid the risks: it is absolutely necessary to wash your hands with water and soap after handling lemons (or wear gloves) and put high protection sunscreen before exposure to the sun.
