Mother shocked to discover the reason behind the mysterious burns on her son's arms

Otis Kerr, a young boy of eight was left with mysterious blisters on his skin barely after being out in the sun picking lime from a tree nearby his home at Ocean Shores, Australia. He was initially diagnosed with dermatitis, but subsequent visits to different health facilities revealed he was reacting to exposure of lime juice to sunlight. This skin reaction is often referred to as margarita burn.

Unlikely cause

When Otis’ mother, Catherine noticed the blisters on her son’s arms, she took him to a hospital where he was diagnosed with contact dermatitis, according to ABC News Australia. But days later when the blisters continued to spread, they went to the Byron Central Hospital where they were told Otis may be suffering from a condition known as margarita burns.

It was a nurse there that had seen a case, I think the week before, and she was able to tell straight away that it was what's called margarita burns. I just had no idea that limes and exposure to sunlight was capable of doing something like that.

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Margarita burn

Medically referred to as phytophotodermatitis, this condition tends to develop if lime juice comes into contact with the skin especially when you’re out in the sun, Healthline states. Dr. Keira Barr, a dual board-certified dermatologist and founder of Resilient Health Institute explains in the Healthline article who the condition got its name:

The term ‘phyto’ means plant, ‘photo’ refers to light, and ‘dermatitis’ is the inflammation of the skin.

What this means is that you’re likely to develop varying degrees of blisters, rashes and burns if lime juice touches your skin and you stay out in the sun for a long period of time. According to Dr Barr, the reaction tends to be worse when the juice settles on wet or sweaty skin.

Dr Hsien Herbert-Chan is a dermatologist at the facility where Otis was diagnosed and explained to ABC News that exposure to the sun is what triggers the reaction.

So people can be exposed to limes indoors and they won't get a reaction, but if they do go outside they will develop a phototoxic reaction. It can be a very painful condition.

Dr Herbert-Chan told the news outlet, some patients with the condition got it by using homemade bleach which has citrus a main ingredient.

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Sources used:

ABC News Australia: Byron Shire boy hospitalized with 'margarita burns' after juicing limes and going in the sun

Healthline: Lime and Sun Don’t Always Mix: Beware the Margarita ‘Burn’ This Summer