Warning from Dermatologists – ‘Margarita Rashes’ risk from sunlight exposure!

United States: Dermatologists are issuing a cautionary note against enjoying margaritas in the sun, particularly those made with freshly squeezed limes, as they can potentially cause harm to your skin.

Expert Insights

Dr. Brandon Adler, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, highlighted the impact of sun sensitivity on an individual’s quality of life during a presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual meeting.

Triggers and Treatments – Experts

Contact with certain fruits and vegetables like lime, figs, and celery, as well as plants like hogweed and St. John’s wort, can trigger photocontact dermatitis. Medications, whether applied topically or taken orally, can also lead to skin reactions when exposed to sunlight.

Anti-inflammatory medications are typically prescribed to treat photocontact dermatitis, with the primary focus on identifying and avoiding the irritant or allergen.

Does different skin tones react differently?

Visual Representation | Credit : Getty images

Prior to the discovery, a common assumption was that only those individuals with the light-colored skin surfaces were susceptible to photocontact dermatitis. However, the new research suggests that this is not so, as dark-skinned people may be exposing themselves to this risk.

In contrast, black skin is capable of developing two types of skin photosensitivities. These are polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), which is characterized by small red and itchy bumps that are temporary and often seen after sun exposure, and chronic actinic dermatitis, which is a persistent rash affecting sun-exposed parts of the body due to a photosensitivity problem.

Preventive Measures

Adler points out that the same scholars proposed that one uses shades, wear clothes with sunproof materials, and put broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or more to prevent skin cancer the same way as it prevents the photoreactive rashes.

Adler said, “If you notice a rash or blistering on your body after being in the sun, it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist, who can determine whether you have a sun-related skin disorder.”

Further, ” no two patients are the same. A board-certified dermatologist can determine what is causing your sun sensitivity and provide a treatment option that works best for your condition,” US News reported.