Fancy yourself a bit of a cocktail connoisseur? It’s certainly the time of year for it. As summer rolls around, many of us sub out our cherished glass of red for something a bit more fresh and fruity. However, after a day of drinking in the sunshine, you might find that it’s not only your head that’s giving you grief the next morning — your skin just might be too. It’s the condition formally known as phytodermatitis, though derms have cleverly coined the condition ‘margarita dermatitis.’
What is margarita dermatitis?
Margarita dermatitis, (phytodermatitis or margarita rash) is the condition where burns, blisters or pigmentation form on the skin after coming into contact with plants and sunshine. A condition common amongst bartenders, chefs, landscapers or any other person who spends a large portion of time outside in nature.
Despite it’s name, you won’t actually break out in this particular skin condition from ordering a spicy marg at lunch. Making a batch of them, however? That’s where your skin could be at risk.
The combination of sunlight plus lime juice on your skin is the perfect recipe for triggering this exact condition.
In the case of TikTok user, @pretty.frowns, this meant sipping a margarita in the sun and ending up with a dark spot beside her mouth where the lime made contact with the skin.
@pretty.frowns & its going to take MONTHS to heal… #phytophotodermatitis ♬ original sound – cvmgvzzler
Though it’s not just a squeeze of lime that’ll do it; phyto-meaning plant covers a wide range of items that may trigger a red rash – for some, that can even mean grass, celery or parsley.
What does it look like?
Speaking to Well and Good, dermatologist Marisa Garshick explained, “[phytodermatitis] often appears as a linear or irregular appearing patch that may appear red or brown and may be associated with blisters.”
She explained that first symptoms may appear within the first 24 hours, while longer-term impacts like hyperpigmentation may surface weeks later.
How do you treat margarita dermatitis?
The treatment depends on the severity of the burn. A cold washcloth will suffice in mild cases, whereas more serious cases may require an antihistamine, ibuprofen or steroids. It’s also recommended to seek out the assistance of a dermatologist if symptoms persist.
How long does margarita dermatitis last?
This varies from case to case, depending on the rate of skin turnover or the severity of the burn. Typically, this kind of skin condition will fade anywhere between a few weeks to a few months.
Main image credit: @margaritamargarita___
Have you ever experienced phytodermatitis?
First tim I hear about this, good to know.
Never heard of if before. Looks scary.
Me either.
I think I may have had this (though mildly) after doing lots of gardening, not sure which plant is causing it. It may just have been a phytodermatis while what they describe here is actually photophytodermatitis. I don’t like when they call things with a cutesy name (eg margarita dermatitis) as this can trivialise it.
I have had an irritated itchy skin from gardening but after a shower all is good so don’t think it is the same thing I have experienced
Isn’t that because the weeds have irritated our pores so it’s itchy?
I get it too.
Yes I think so so possibly not the same thing
mine was a definite rash, when I had similar on my face a doctor said it was contact dermatitis (I do volunteer bush work so probably picked that up there).
What is contact dermatitis? As in a plant has transplanted something that is an irritant onto your skin?
yes I get that when i harden and siut on the lawn loll
I agree with you Lindylou I also don’t like cutesy names for the same reason
Is it from weeds or flowers?
No I haven’t had it and haven’t heard of it before until now.
Never heard of it before, but I will keep it in mind this summer.
I have never heard of it before.
Me either. Awful
So it’s acid from the lime?
This is not going to stop me from gardening.
I have so much weeds! I can’t keep up!!
I am the same Ellyloves -I finish one garden but the next one is then crying out to be weeded -an ongoing cycle !!
It never ends!
Agreed, love me some time in my sunny garden, this might just be the reminder I need to always wear gloves though
Must always wear gloves!!
Tell it to the people who DIY lemon peels and then bake in the sun… actually DIY anything if I am honest.
Without reading this article, I think this idea doesn’t sound bad for the skin.
I would have thought that lime juice, similar to lemon juice, would lighten the skin, not darken it. I’m surprised.
Is it not because it is acidic so it burns the skin? The burns then turn into dark spots? Or tan?
I get something like this but it’s from midgies and the burning itching is a nightmare. Sunlight seems to make it worse.
No, interesting. Never heard or have seen it.
This one is new to me. Looks rather unpleasant
Never heard of this and luckily haven’t experienced it before.
Never heard of this before!
I have not heard of this until today.
Will keep this in mind.
This doesn’t sound pleasant.
I’ve never heard of this before
It’s daiquiris in the shade for me – I avoid the sun like a vampire, anyway. My skin is so tough it could probably withstand battery acid, haha!
Have never heard of margarita dermatitis, Thanks So Much for publishing your Article.
Interesting to know
Yet again, I’m happy that I avoid the sun and always have, due to the fact that I burn so quickly, no matter what.
me too
I’ve never heard of this before.
Good to know with summer upon us
what never heard of this before
Wow, never heard of this before.
Never heard of this. Thanks for sharing this article.
The name is terrible! It makes it seem like not much of a big deal.
This is a new one on me. Luckily I’ve never experienced it.
Ouch. How painful!
Never heard of it
First time hearing about this!
I’ve had this, it sucks!
Thanks So Much BH for your informative article on margarita dermatitis, it sounds really bad didn’t know that Lime Juice can cause rashes like these. 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Interesting article
I remember the days of using coconut oil on the skin for a tan
I tried to copy my friends in my early teenager years by frying my skin in the sun with coconut oil. They got tans while I ended up with very painful sunburns.
I’ve never heard about this condition before
I haven’t heard this before.It would be nice to show pictures of how it look like.
This is old news! Citrus is photo-toxic and when you mix it with alcohol your skin is not in for a good time!
I’ve never heard of this reaction. That said, I do tend to get a little pink when I drink alcohol
Interesting condition and name
I haven’t heard of this before.
I’ve had a skin rash after gardening, I thought it was hayfever.
I haven’t experienced this before, but sounds painful