Be Careful What You Eat or Drink in the Sun

Every year, I have at least one alarmed parent bring in their 16- to 25-year old child with a strange rash on their skin after vacation. First, I ask where they went on vacation. Then, I smile at the unsuspecting teen and say, “So, how were the margaritas in ______?” And I’m right every time. (Tequila shots and margaritas seem to be the most common culprit here in Miami.)

Vegetables and fruits can cause skin reactions when sun exposure is involved. It only occurs in sun exposed areas. The dark skin reaction is called phytophotodermatitis and presents as a brown, tanned looking patch on the skin, often in a strange shape. Imagine squeezing a lime and having the juice run down your hand, and developing a dark patch in that dripping shape. It usually occurs on the arms and legs after vacation. I often see patients with this the week after Spring Break or Memorial Day weekend. They are often perplexed about what caused this strange dark patch on their skin in the first place.

These dark patches on the skin are actually areas of skin that tanned better upon sun exposure than the normal skin does. In fact, these areas can become sunburned and blister, while other areas of skin show no sun damage at all. It is a mystery for those who have not been educated about phytophotodermatitis (which in Latin means a rash caused by plants and the sun.) Citrus (especially limes), figs, celery, parsley and carrots (and other closely related fruits and vegetables) contain light-sensitizing botanical compounds. When these compounds are on the skin and exposed to ultraviolet light, the excessive tanning ensues. So let’s say you’re drinking a margarita and a little drips on your leg or you’re drinking a Corona and you don’t wash the lime off your hands. Those drops or residue can leave a dark mark after spending time in the sun.

Obviously prevention is key here, but if you experience phytophotodermatitis, there are a few things you can do. First, treat the inflammation immediately as you would a sunburn with aloe and an antioxidant serum containing vitamin C, such as IS Clinical C and E Serum Advance+ or SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Your dermatologist may also prescribe a bleaching cream to lighten the dark spots.

But whatever you do, please don’t not try this as a way to increase tanning. If you do, you risk uneven pigmentation and possibly a terrible sunburn.