Phytophotodermatitis

Phytophotodermatitis, also known as "lime disease" (not to be confused with Lyme disease), "Berloque dermatitis", or "Margarita photodermatitis" is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. It is frequently mistaken for hereditary conditions such as atopic dermatitis or chemical burns, but it is caused by contact with the photosensitizing compounds--such as furanocoumarins--found naturally in some plants and vegetables like parsnips, citrus fruits and more. Symptoms include burning, itching and large blisters that slowly accumulate over time. One of the earliest descriptions of this disease was made by Darrell Wilkinson, a British dermatologist in the 1950s.

Video Phytophotodermatitis

Symptoms

The symptoms are equivalent to photodermatitis, but vary in severity. The skin condition is a cutaneous phototoxic inflammatory eruption resulting from contact with light-sensitizing botanical substances--particularly from the plant families Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, Moraceae, and Leguminosae--and ultraviolet light, typically from sun exposure. Phytophotodermatitis usually results in hyperpigmentation of the skin that often appears like a bruise. This may be accompanied by blisters or burning. The reaction typically begins within 24 hours of exposure and peaks at 48-72 hours after the exposure.

Phytophotodermatitis can affect people of any age. Because of the bruise-like appearance that is usually in the shape of handprints or fingerprints, it can be mistaken in children for child abuse.

Maps Phytophotodermatitis

Common causes

Parsnip, parsley, celery, common hogweed, giant hogweed
Carrot and wild carrot
Notobubon galbanum (previously known by the synonym Peucedanum galbanum), a South African plant also known as "blister bush", "hog's fennel", or locally in Afrikaans as bergseldery (i.e. "mountain celery")
Lemon, lime, bergamot orange
Common rue (Ruta graveolens) and other plants in the genus Ruta
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which can infect celery
Common fig, its latex contains various furocoumarin isomers such as 8-methoxypsoralen, which induce allergic photodermatitis
Dictamnus (commonly known as the "Burning Bush")

Treatment

Phytophotodermatitis can be prevented by staying indoors after handling the above substances. However, the primary triggering mechanism is UV-A radiation (320-380 nm) which windows are not guaranteed to filter out.

Many different topical and oral medications can be used to treat the inflammatory reaction of phytophotodermatitis. A dermatologist may also prescribe a bleaching cream to help treat the hyperpigmentation and return the skin pigmentation back to normal. If they do not receive treatment, the affected sites may develop permanent hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

Phytophotodermatitis

Sunday, March 11, 2018