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
6 Nutrition Tips From Experts to Ensure Better Sleep
Making a few tweaks in your eating habits could do wonders for the quality of your sleep, according to experts.
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.
MPORTANT: 7 Stomach Germs You Need to Avoid and How!
Guide: Understand what these common germs do and how to avoid them.
Feeling Drained? Your Body May Be Loaded with Toxins...
Feeling drained? You may have too many toxins in your body. Here's what you need to know.
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!
Walking Backward is Beneficial For Both the Body & Mind!
Incorporating backward-walking into your fitness routine can be highly beneficial for both your body and mind. Here's why you should give it a try.
Are Your Houseplants Leaking Water? This Is What It Means
Is it good if your indoor plants are emitting droplets of water? Every houseplant owner ought to know the answer to this one...
These Construction Tips & Hacks Might Come in Handy
Knowing these construction tips and tricks might come in very handy someday!
These 15 Surprising Cucumber Uses Will Come in Handy
Cucumbers are a very healthy addition to any diet, but they also have many other great uses that you should know about. Here's 15...
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.
Have You Ever Tried These Nifty Tips in the Kitchen?
These helpful tips and tricks will save you time and money.
10 Kitchen Tips That Will Turn You into a Culinary Master
The following 10 kitchen tips will take you one step closer to becoming a culinary god.
Before You Buy: 8 Important Tips When Buying New Clothes
In this article, we'll discuss the difference between natural and synthetic fabrics as well as 9 essential tips for evaluating the quality and comfort of fabrics.
How to Distinguish between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese
After reading this guide, you'll be able to tell the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese languages apart!
These False Money-Saving Tips Will Make You Spend More
There are a lot of very common money management tips that are simply not true. These are 8 myths on saving that should be debunked.
Tip: It Is Possible to Peel an Orange in a Few Seconds
Peel oranges in just a few seconds and in the most effective method possible.
7 Ways to Trap Pesky Fruit Flies
Fruit flies can be incredibly gross and annoying, but you're about to learn 7 novel ways of trapping the little critters.
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with MEN?
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with Men?
DIY: Make Your Own Face Mask in a Few Easy Steps
To get around the shortage, you can make your own DIY surgical face mask. It can be easily done even if you're can't or don't want to sew.
15 Time-Saving Cooking Tricks to Make Your Life Easier
Try out these various food hacks that are clever and easy and are sure to change the way you eat.
This Is Why You Should Never Throw Away Your Lemon Peels
25 reasons why you should definitely keep your lemon peels.
Here's How You Can Tell If Someone Is Lying to You
No one likes a liar, but thankfully, if you know how to read body language, you can tell if someone is lying to you.
WATCH: I Had No Idea Coconut Oil Was THIS Useful!
Coconut oil is a substance you need both in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as you're about to see with these 10 unexpected uses.
How to De-Ice Your Freezer and 11 Other Practical Tips!
How to find something you lost, how to find pipes under your floor and more handy shortcuts everyone should know.
12 Fruit and Vegetables That are Dangerous to Consume
Which fruit and vegetables have the most pesticides on them? Find out here!
Your Toilet Won't Flush? Here are 6 Easy Ways to Fix It!
Toilet won’t flush properly? Before calling the plumber, you can fix it yourself with this guide.
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
10 Smart Ways to Treat Your Dry Skin!
Suffer from dry skin? You can find these next natural dry skin treating ingredients right in your home...
DIY: Make Your Own Chemical Free Gel Air Freshener
Gel air fresheners smell wonderful, but they're often filled with chemicals. Make your own chemical-free air freshener with this DIY.
Learn This Amazing Two-Step Fix For Scratched Furniture
You can give your scratched furniture a whole new lease of life by learning this super-easy two-step solution. Take a look.
Make Your Garden As Beautiful as Can be With Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are highly rich in nutrients, and this means that they're great for helping flowers and trees to grow beautifully and healthily. Read these 15 tips.
Step-by-step Guide for Removing Scratches from Wood
Use this handy guide to restore hardwood floors and wooden furniture to their former glory.
Have You Been Using Antiperspirant All Wrong?
Do you apply antiperspirant correctly? Here's an article that will teach you everything about proper antiperspirant application
How to Fold a Shirt in Just Under 2 Seconds!
A great DIY guide to folding shirt in just 2 seconds each!
How to Develop a Green Thumb For Home Plants
The following houseplant cheat sheet summarizes the essentials you need to know about growing your own houseplants.
12 Unusual DIY “Hacks” People Used to Improve Their Lives
Take a look at some weird and unusual "inventions" made by people to solve their everyday problems.
What Causes Large Pores, And What Can You Do About It?
Do you have large pores? This guide will tell you what you need to do to diminish them.
Chef's Tips: Chop Your Veggies Quickly Like a Pro
If you want to save yourself some time in the kitchen, follow these fantastic veggie chopping tips from the experts!
5 Home Remedies to Banish Mosquitoes From Your Life
Yo won't need to spend another cent on mosquito repellents once you have become acquainted with these natural ones!
7 Common Missteps That Couples Over 50 Should Avoid
For couples, the 50s can be the best years of their relationship. Just avoid making these mistakes.
Should You Choose or Avoid Copper Pans?
Copper is a great antibacterial metal. Why then don't we all cook in it? This video will help you decide.
Say Goodbye to Neck and Back Pain with These Super Tips
These top tips from chiropractors will enable you to put back and neck pain firmly in the rearview mirror.
How to Reduce that Puffiness Your Face Gets in the Morning
Get to know the 6 most effective ways we were able to find to treat a swollen face in the morning.
How to Use Ice Cube Trays to Make Delicious Dishes!
I had no idea there were such creative and delicious uses for the ice cube tray!
How to Beat Knee Pain While Going Up and Down the Stairs
Knee hurts while climbing stairs? These tips might just help.
DIY Body Oils: Nourish Skin with These 6 EASY Recipes
Nourish your skin with these amazing homemade body oils.
I Never Imagined That I Could Use Cucumbers in These Ways
Take a look at the video below and see how cucumbers can help save you some money in 10 different ways.