Most people don’t know that combining lime juice and sun rays is a lethal combination. The resulting chemical reaction is called Phytophotodermatitis. This phenomenon occurs when your skin has any lime juice on it, making it hypersensitive to ultraviolet ray exposure. The result is a painful chemical burn. Warning: The photos below are somewhat graphic. |
Recipe for disaster: This woman made margarita cocktails and did not rinse enough of the lime juice off. The result was a painful burn.
Non-discriminating: This chemical reaction can happen to any skin color or type. The lime makes your skin reactive to ultraviolet light, typically UV-A radiation, which can penetrate glass. If you’re at the beach you should have lathered on sunscreen anyways but if you’re indoors you might not be aware of UV-A rays. Symptoms: Many people assume its poison ivy or a bad sunburn. Symptoms include burning, itching, stinging, and large blisters can slowly accumulate. Symptoms usually begin within 24 hours of exposure and peak 48-72 hours after being exposed.
Inflammation: First you will experience the inflammatory stage, lasting from one to five days. This can be prolonged if you develop blisters and have a severe reaction. Hyperpigamentation: Following inflammation is hyperpigamentation, lasting from weeks to months. The burning and painful symptoms subside, but the skin color may change. If you’re exposed: If you only have a mild reaction, such as redness, burning or swelling, apply a 1% hydrocortisone cream three times a day. If your reaction is more severe, characterized by deep red pigment, large swelling, skin erosion and a lot of blistering, visit your doctor, who can prescribe a stronger cream. Treatments: Dermatologists can prescribe oral treatments, but there are also topical applications. Some doctors might prescribe bleaching creams to treat the hyperpigmentation. Other triggers: Lime juice is not the only plant based liquid that can cause phytophotodermatitis. Photosensitizing compounds in parsnips, citrus fruits, carrots, celery, and figs can also induce the same chemical reaction. Other names: Phytophotodermatitis is also called Margarita Photodermatisis and Lime Disease (not to be confused with Lyme Disease). |
Hikers beware: Be careful if you go hiking because some wild dill and wildflowers also have photosensitizing oil or dander. New habit: If you do come into contact with citrus juice or wild plants, rinse off the juice or dander carefully. Make a habit of thoroughly scrubbing after handling any citrus fruits. The best way to prevent this burn is by being aware that it exists and sharing this information with others. |
H/T: buzzfeed.com
Eat These Foods for Pristine White Teeth
From oranges to cauliflower, and even the amount of milk you drink per day, this video will touch on 13 foods to eat for a naturally white smile
Ridiculously Bad Diet Advice You Should Steer Clear From
Following any diet advice blindly might be harmful to your body. Here, a doctor explains some of the worst diet tips you can follow.
How to Reduce Blood Triglycerides? 8 Expert Backed Tips
High levels of blood triglycerides raise the risk of heart disease. These simple lifestyle changes could help you manage your triglyceride levels much better.
Why Contact-Lenses and Water Should NEVER Mix
Eye-health experts stress that showering with your contact lenses still on could lead to irreversible damage!
Why Fragrance in Shampoo Can Harm Your Health
If you see this potentially harmful ingredient on the label of your shampoo, it may be time to switch it for the sake of your health.
You Don’t Always Need to Hit the Gym to Lose Belly Fat!
Want to get rid of your belly fat but can't hit the gym? These effective tips might just do the trick.
8 Shopping Tricks That Will Save You Money
Learn to save more money with these secret tips.
Safe & Natural Recipes to Add Scent to Your Home
Forget those fake, unhealthy air fresheners and chemical-packed scented candles. Make your own natural scents and keep your home fresh.
11 Unhealthy Signs in Your Dog That You Shouldn't Ignore
If you're a dog owner, it is in your duty to be observant toward your dog's health. Here are the warning signs you should watch out for.
The DO'S and DON'TS of Gardening During the Heat
As the temperatures soar, make sure you don’t commit these to your garden.
10 Cleaning Hacks to Render Your Home Spotless & Germ Free
With both spring cleaning and the need of disinfection in mind, we present to you 10 clever, but a tad unexpected cleaning hacks
If You Have a Mouse Problem, This is How to Get Rid of It
If you have a mouse in your house there are many great (and humane) ways to get rid of it. Here are 6 of them.
I've Used these Tips to Save Hundreds on My Groceries
Take a look at the following tips that I have used in recent months, to help me save hundreds of dollars on my groceries.
These Tricks Have Helped Me Become Smart About Cleaning
12 tips and tricks to clean your house and maintain your furniture and appliances with ease
Waking Up at Odd Hours? Here's What Your Body is Saying
This guide will help you understand how your body systems work and identify any mental challenges you may face.
WARNING: These 11 Carcinogens are Lurking in Your Home
There are many things lurking in our home that are dangerous to us, but these 11 items are the most surprising!
8 Things You Need to Do With Your A/C to Save on Money
Not looking after your AC properly will decreases the efficiency of your system, meaning you’re losing a lot of money.
These Life-Changing Tricks Will Make Your Scalp Less Oily
We will show you how to make your hair produce less oil and give handy tips and DIY tricks that can help reduce the appearance of oily hair
Here's All You Need to Know about Travel Medical Insurance
Planning a trip abroad? This guide will teach you everything you need to know about travel medical insurance!
These 6 Secrets Will Ensure You Look Divine in any Photo
This fantastic guide will reveal some basic errors that people make in photographs and how to improve them, ensuring you look great every time!
These Remedies That Get Rid of Facial Hair Actually Work
Got excess facial hair? Here are 7 natural remedies to remove it.
Who Knew Vick's VapoRub Was So Incredibly Versatile?
Is there any product in your medicine cabinet that is more versatile than Vick's VapoRub? Here are 7 innovative ways for you to use it.
11 Things You Should NEVER Dump Into the Kitchen Sink
Even a garbage disposal won’t be able to handle these 11 things, so make sure to toss them directly into the trash instead of the kitchen sink
Guide: How to Make a Tasty Fruit Salad In No Time at All...
This video will show you how to quickly chop fruit for those delicious and fresh fruit salads.
Financial Planning for Widowhood - 7 Important Tips
Losing a spouse can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. But there are some important financial steps you must take immediately.
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
Guide: Did You Know About These Extra Uses?
This collection features the best tips and alternative uses for many of your household items. Each of these posts has a lot of information for alternative uses to make your lives easier.
How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
Learn some useful tips as you struggle to keep roaches out of your home.
11 Reasons Why Garlic Is a Gardener's Best Friend
Not only is garlic extremely tasty, but it is also very effective in the garden. Check out its uses here.
This is the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher For Best Results
What's the best way to load your dishwasher? Find out in this guide.
Break These Rules & You Can Kiss Your Friends Goodbye...
To prevent money issues from causing harm in your life, here are ten money etiquette tips to keep in mind. Take a look and start saving.
Save a Fortune With These Natural DIY Household Recipes
Keep your home chemical free and save money on household detergents. Here are three natural DIY recipes you've got to try.
7 Kinds of Food Known to Cause Adult Acne
There is a significant link between adult acne and diet. These 7 food types are known to cause acne in adults
6 Handy Ways to Open a Bottle WITHOUT a Bottle Opener
Want to enjoy your bottle of beer but can't find the bottle opener? Don't worry. Try these clever hacks.
Locked Your Keys inside Your Car? You Need This Hack!
If you've locked yourself out of your car, this neat trick will help you solve your problem.
Challenge Your Friends to 10 Bets They Can Never Win!
Amaze and annoy your friends by showing them off with these 10 "unbeatable" bets!
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
14 Ingenious Organization Hacks to Declutter Your Closet
Here are 14 incredibly clever and easy tips and tricks everyone can master to organize your closet and make it a lot more spacious.
Here's Why You Should Start Using Eggshells in Your Garden
If you throw all your eggshells in the trashcan you're missing out as they can be very beneficial to your garden. Here are 6 garden uses for eggshells.
Keep Spiders Out of Your Home with This Helpful Guide
Here are nine effective ways to keep spiders out of your home:
Guide: 11 Ways to Defend Yourself in an Emergency
The basic self defence tips all women should know.
Increase Your Home's Value with These Genius Tricks
Thinking of selling your home? Here's how to increase it's value.
Cowboy Cures: Saddle Up for Immune-Boosting Home Remedies
Watch this video to learn some useful cowboy cures for a healthy life.
How to Use Your Iron to Get Crisp Shirts, Pants, and Sheets
Your ironing skills make a much bigger difference in the appearance of your clothes than you think!
Quick and Easy Ways to Defrost Your Car Windscreen
Going to your car and finding the windscreens covered in ice is one thing that annoys us all. Here are three easy ways to quickly defrost your car windows!
One Hundred Fascinating Facts About the Amazing Human Body
The human body is the most amazing thing in the universe. Here are 100 reasons why!
These 12 Simple Actions Will Keep Your Mind Sharp
The brain, the most important organ in our bodies responsible for countless actions, sometimes needs a little help, here are 12 unique ways to help it.