Phytophotodermatitis
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Phytophotodermatitis, also known as berloque dermatitis,[1][2][3] margarita photodermatitis,[4][5] lime disease[6] or lime phytodermatitis[6] is a cutaneous phototoxic inflammatory reaction resulting from contact with a light-sensitizing botanical agent (such as lime juice) followed by exposure to ultraviolet A (UV-A) light (from the sun, for instance). Symptoms include erythema, edema, blisters (vesicles and/or bullae), and delayed hyperpigmentation. Heat and moisture tend to exacerbate the reaction.
Phytophotodermatitis | |
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Other names | berloque dermatitis, margarita photodermatitis, lime disease, lime phytodermatitis |
Phytophotodermatitis caused by lime juice | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Causes | photosensitizer and UV-A light |
Differential diagnosis | skin burn; allergic contact dermatitis |
A reaction may be elicited in any person who has been exposed to adequate amounts of both a photosensitizer and UV-A light. Phytophotodermatitis is not an immunologic response; no prior exposure to the photosensitizing agent is required.
The photosensitizing substances found in phototoxic plants belong to a class of chemical compounds called the furanocoumarins, which are activated by long-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-A) light. The most toxic of these organic compounds are the linear furanocoumarins, so called since they exhibit a linear chemical structure. Bergapten and xanthotoxin (also known as methoxsalen), two linear furanocoumarins derived from psoralen, are invariably found in plants associated with phytophotodermatitis.[2]