The Margarita Sunburn: How your favorite summer cocktails may be putting your skin at serious risk
the weather heats up, citrus starts sneaking into everything - and we support it! Citrus fruits tend to be hydrating and have skin-loving properties. So you may be surprised that they may also be the thing that ruins your summer fun. And we aren’t talking about the typical ‘dehydrated-from-too-many-margaritas sunburn’. This sunburn is much more damaging. Commonly called the ‘margarita sunburn’, the burn develops from citrus oils and sun exposure that result in severe chemical burns. Here’s what you need to know about avoiding this painful sunburn.
What is a margarita sunburn
If you’re looking for the actual condition, it’s called phytophotodermatitis. Essentially it’s a reaction caused when oil or dander from some plants and citrus fruits (most commonly, lime) touches your skin and then is exposed to the sun. The combination causes a chemical burn on the skin that may only appear days after sun exposure. Worse than a typical sunburn, this reaction can cause burning, stinging, and even blisters on the affected areas. Even after the painful burn has healed, the skin is usually left with hyperpigmentation or even scarring that can take months - or more - to fully heal.
How to prevent it
So you may have already guessed that sunscreen won’t completely save you from this burn. Your best bet is to wash your hands after having contact with citrus fruits or juices. Be sure to use soap and water to remove the oils from your skin. A quick rinse or dip in the pool won’t be enough to wash away the oils after contact.
Also be cautious if gardening, as it’s the oil on the leaves and skin that cause the burn.
foods and juices that may cause a burn
The compound you want to steer clear of is furocoumarins. Here’s a brief list of foods with higher levels of furocoumarins.
limes - this is the biggest offender
lemons
celery
carrots
dill
oranges
wild parsnip
parsley
hogweed
fennel
grapefruits
