Skin burns from lime, how can it happen?

Lime does have many health benefits. However, did you know that lime can also cause sunburn if exposed to the sun? Quoted from the Women's Health page, a man from the United States named Adam Levy (52) did not think that he had second-degree burns while preparing for the princess's graduation party. He admitted that he had never been exposed to fire or other sources of heat but his hands were still blistered and swollen violently.

After being traced, the treating doctor stated that Adam had the condition phytophotodermatitis, which is a reaction in the skin due to exposure to chemicals contained in vegetables due to sunlight. Adam is thought to have been exposed to chemicals from lime juice while preparing for the princess's graduation party.

Is it true that lime can cause sunburn?

Dr. Delphine Lee, MD, Ph.D., a skin specialist explained that the furocoumarins contained in lime can indeed cause skin damage if exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Apart from lime, these substances are also contained in other fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits (such as mandarin oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruit).

The problem is, you may not immediately notice this condition. Most people experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, and blisters a few minutes or even hours after exposure to sunlight.

In mild cases, the doctor may prescribe only anti-inflammatory ointments to reduce discomfort. In Adam's case, the blister that had grown to the extreme was cracked and then bandaged to prevent infection. These patients also received steroids and antihistamines to reduce swelling.

Until now there has been no concrete research showing how much lime is capable of causing burns like the case of Adam. However, experts suspect UVA exposure to lime produces phytophotodermatitis.

What is phytophotodermatitis ?

Phytophotodermatitis is a condition that occurs when chemicals contained in certain types of plants cause sunburn or inflammation when exposed to sunlight. This condition occurs when a person comes in direct contact with plants. In the case reported above, Adam was in direct contact with lime juice.

The most common symptoms of phytophotodermatitis are redness, inflammation, itching, burning, burning skin which is accompanied by the appearance of blisters. Generally, symptoms appear a day to three days after sun exposure. Most people who experience phytophotodermatitis symptoms get better on their own. However, in serious cases, this condition requires medical treatment to relieve symptoms.

If the initial symptoms improve, usually after 7 to 14 days, your skin may develop brown spots known as hyperpigmentation. This condition can last for weeks or even months.

So, how do you prevent this condition?

There are several simple ways you can do to prevent this from happening phytophotodermatitis, that is:

• Avoid rubbing lime juice directly on your skin as exposure to sunlight afterwards can cause the conditions described above.
• Identify any plants that are allergens or that can irritate the skin around you so you can avoid direct contact with these plants.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after cooking, spending time outdoors, or gardening. Washing your hands is the best way to remove plant chemicals from your skin.
• Wearing gloves when gardening.
• Always use a sunscreen that contains a high SPF when you want to do outdoor activities, especially during the day.