Phytophotodermatitis, also known as berloque dermatitis,[1][2][3]margarita photodermatitis,[4][5]lime disease[6] or lime phytodermatitis[6] is a
cutaneousphototoxic 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.
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]
Symptoms and signs
A reaction typically begins within 24 hours of exposure and peaks at 48–72 hours after exposure.[7] Initially, the skin turns red and starts to itch and burn. Large
blisters (or
bullae) form within 48 hours.[8] The blisters may leave black, brown, or purplish scars that can last for several years. This
hyperpigmentation of the skin is caused by the production of
melanin triggered by the furanocoumarins.
Although media reports have suggested that eye exposure to the agent can lead to temporary or permanent blindness, the risk of permanent blindness is not supported by existing research.[9]
Phytophotodermatitis can affect people of any age. In children, it has sometimes been mistaken for
child abuse.[10]
Phototoxic species
Plants associated with phytophotodermatitis mainly come from four plant families:[2][11] the carrot family (
Apiaceae), the citrus family (
Rutaceae), the mulberry family (
Moraceae), and the legume family (
Fabaceae).
Apiaceae
The carrot family
Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae) is the main family of plants associated with phytophotodermatitis. Of all the plant species that have been reported to induce phytophotodermatitis, approximately half belong to the family Apiaceae.[12]
False bishop's weed (Ammi majus), the world's major source of the linear furanocoumarin xanthotoxin, has been used since antiquity to treat
vitiligo[2] but accidental or inappropriate use of this plant can lead to phytophotodermatitis.[13] Despite this danger, A. majus continues to be cultivated for its
furanocoumarins,[14] which are still used for the treatment of skin disease.
Numerous species in the family Apiaceae are cultivated as food products, some of which exhibit phototoxic effects. In particular,
celery,
parsnip, and
parsley have been reported to cause phytophotodermatitis among agricultural workers, grocery workers, and other occupational food handlers.[15][16][17][18][19][20][2][excessive citations]
The citrus family
Rutaceae is the second most widely distributed family of plants associated with phytophotodermatitis.
Numerous
citrus fruits in the family Rutaceae exhibit phototoxic effects. Of these, perhaps the best known is
lime.[26][27][28][29] Phytophotodermatitis associated with limes is sometimes colloquially referred to as "lime disease,"[30][31] not to be confused with
Lyme disease.
In the family Rutaceae, the most severe reactions are caused by the
essential oil of the
bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia).[2][32]Bergamot essential oil has a higher concentration of bergapten (3000–3600 mg/kg) than any other citrus-based essential oil, even lime oil, which contains 1700–3300 mg/kg of bergapten.[33]
The mulberry family
Moraceae is often associated with phytophotodermatitis. Multiple species in the genus Ficus are known to exhibit phototoxic effects. Of these, the
common fig (Ficus carica) is well known and thoroughly documented.
Like Ammi majus in the family
Apiaceae, the common fig has been used since antiquity to treat
vitiligo[39] but the milky sap of fig leaves can cause phytophotodermatitis if used accidentally or inappropriately.[40][41][42][43][44][45] A literature search revealed 19 cases of fig leaf-induced phytophotodermatitis reported between 1984 and 2012.[45] In Brazil, several hospitals reported more than 50 cases of fig leaf-induced burn in one summer.[44] In most cases, patients reportedly used the leaves of the fig plant for folk remedies, tanning, or gardening.
Other plant species in the family Moraceae that are associated with phytophotodermatitis include Ficus pumila[46][47] and Brosimum gaudichaudii.[48] Like Ficus carica, the South American species Brosimum gaudichaudii has been shown to contain both psoralen and bergapten.
Prevention
The first and best line of defense against phytophotodermatitis is to avoid contact with phototoxic substances in the first place:
Avoid contact with the plant family
Apiaceae,
citrus fruits, and other biological agents known to have phototoxic effects. Do not incinerate phototoxic plants and agents since this will serve to disperse the phototoxic substances more widely.[49]
In outdoor situations where contact with phototoxic plants is likely, wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Wear gloves and protective eyewear before handling such plants.
If protective clothing is not available, apply
sunscreen to exposed areas. This will provide some measure of protection if contact is made.
After an outdoor activity, take a shower or a bath as soon as possible. Wash your clothing and then wash your hands after handling the dirty clothes.
A second line of defense is to avoid sunlight, so as not to activate a phototoxic substance:
If you come in contact with a phototoxic substance, immediately wash the affected area with soap and cold water, and avoid any further exposure to sunlight for at least 48 hours. Heat and moisture can worsen the skin reaction,[25] which is why cold water is required.
Stay indoors, if possible. Be sure to avoid light shining through windows.
In lieu of sun-protective clothing, apply
sunscreen[50] to the affected areas after washing.
Phytophotodermatitis is triggered by long wavelength ultraviolet light (called
UVA) in the range of 320–380 nanometers,[7] so the best sun-protective clothing and sunscreen products will block these wavelengths of UVA radiation.
In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a "broad spectrum" test for determining a sunscreen product's UVA protection.[51] Sunscreen products that pass the test are allowed to be labeled as "Broad Spectrum" sunscreens, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
There is no equivalent test or FDA-approved labeling for sun-protective clothing. Some clothing is labeled with an
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) but test results from Consumer Reports[52] suggest that UPF is an unreliable indicator of UV protection.
Treatment
Many different topical and oral medications may be used to treat the
inflammatory reaction of phytophotodermatitis. A
dermatologist may also prescribe a
whitening cream to help treat the
hyperpigmentation and return the skin pigmentation back to normal. If the patient does not receive treatment, the affected sites may develop permanent hyperpigmentation or
hypopigmentation.[7]
History
The photosensitizing effects of plants have been known since antiquity. In Egypt around 2000 B.C., the juice of Ammi majus "was rubbed on patches of
vitiligo after which patients were encouraged to lie in the sun."[2] In A.D. 50, the Greek physician
Dioscorides observed that pigment would return to patches of vitiligo if "cataplasmed with the leaves or the boughes of the Black Figge,"[39] an apparent reference to Ficus carica, the
common fig. These ancient practices acknowledged the
hyperpigmentation effects now known to accompany phytophotodermatitis.
One of the earliest reports of plant-based
dermatitis was given by Chaumton in 1815, who noted that the outer rind and root of cow parsnip (a common name for any Heracleum species of plant) contained an acrid sap sufficiently strong to inflame and ulcerate the skin.[53] Similarly in 1887 Sornevin reported that Heracleum sphondylium caused dermatitis. However, neither of these early reports recognized the crucial role of ultraviolet radiation.
"Berloque dermatitis"[3] (from the French word "berloque" meaning trinket or charm) is a term coined by Rosenthal in 1925 to describe the pendant-like streaks of pigmentation observed on the neck, face, and arms of patients.[54][2] He was unaware that, in 1916, Freund had correctly observed that these pigmentation effects were due to sun exposure after the use of
Eau de Cologne, a perfume infused with
bergamot oil.[55] It is now known that bergamot oil contains a significant amount of bergapten,[2] a linear furanocoumarin that gets its name from the
bergamot orange.
In 1937, dermatitis from Heracleum mantegazzianum was reported by Miescher and Burckhardt who suspected the possibility of light sensitization.[56] A few years later, Kuske confirmed this hypothesis.[57][58] In 1942, Klaber introduced the term "phytophotodermatitis" to emphasize that both plants and light were required to affect a reaction.[59][29]
Darrell Wilkinson, a British dermatologist, gave an accurate description of the clinical entity in the 1950s.[60][61] In 1961, Efremov reported 357 cases of phytophotodermatitis from Heracleum dulce (sweet cow parsnip). He "noted the requirement for sunlight in evoking the dermatitis since inunction of the juice of the plant without exposure to sunlight was harmless."[62] Between 1962 and 1976, numerous reports of phytophotodermatitis from giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) were reported. By 1980, the photosensitizing effects of various plant species had become well known (as evidenced by the comprehensive work of Mitchell and Rook[63]).
^
ab Lakshmi Nagireddi, Rachel Raimondo, Robert Hostoffer Jr (January 24, 2022).
"Recurrent Bilateral Lime Disease in a Young Female- Case Report". Allergy and Rhinology (Providence). 13.
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PMID35096464. 21526567221074944. Lime phytodermatitis, also known as margarita dermatitis, is a condition that results in a skin rash after sunlight exposure when handling certain plants. Misdiagnosis is common due to its resemblance to skin burns or allergic contact dermatitis. Detailed history and disease recognition is important to provide accurate treatment recommendations.
^Solis RR, Dotson DA, Trizna Z (2000). "Phytophotodermatitis: a sometimes difficult diagnosis". Archives of Family Medicine. 9 (10): 1195–6.
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^"Giant Hogweed"(PDF). Peterborough, Ont.: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Government of Ontario. p. 2. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
^Barradell R, Addo A, McDonagh AJ, Cork MJ, Wales JK (April 1993). "Phytophotodermatitis mimicking child abuse". European Journal of Pediatrics. 152 (4): 291–2.
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^Gross TP, Ratner L, de Rodriguez O, Farrel KP, Israel E (March 1987). "An outbreak of phototoxic dermatitis due to limes". American Journal of Epidemiology. 125 (3): 509–14.
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^Weber IC, Davis CP, Greeson DM (1999). "Phytophotodermatitis: the other "lime" disease". The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 17 (2): 235–7.
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^Kaddu S, Kerl H, Wolf P (2001). "Accidental bullous phototoxic reactions to bergamot aromatherapy oil". J Am Acad Dermatol. 45 (3): 458–461.
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^Schempp CM, Sonntag M, Schöpf E, Simon JC (September 1996). "Dermatitis bullosa striata pratensis caused by Dictamnus albus L. (burning bush)". Hautarzt (in German). 47 (9): 708–710.
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^Furniss D, Adams T (2007). "Herb of grace: an unusual cause of phytophotodermatitis mimicking burn injury". Journal of Burn Care & Research. 28 (5): 767–9.
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^Bollero D, Stella M, Rivolin A, Cassano P, Risso D, Vanzetti M (November 2001). "Fig leaf tanning lotion and sun-related burns: case reports". Burns. 27 (7): 777–779.
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^English PB, Grey LP (June 1943). "Sap dermatitis and conjunctivitis caused by the wild fig (Ficus pumila)". Medical Journal of Australia. 1 (26): 578–579.
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^Rosenthal O (1925). "Berloque dermatitis: Berliner Dermatologische". Dermatologische Zeitschrift. 42: 295.
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^Miescher G, Burckhardt W (1937). "Herakleum Dermatitis: Case Presentation". Schweizer Medizinische Wochenschriff. 67: 82. Cited by Mitchell and Rook (1979), p. 696.
^Kuske H. "Experimental investigations on photodermatitis caused by plant juices". Archiv für Dermatologie und Syphilis. 178: 273. Cited by Mitchell and Rook (1979), p. 696.
^Kuske H (1940). "Perkutane Photosensibilisierung durch pflanzliche Wirkstoffe". Dermatology. 82 (5–6): 273.
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^Efremov AI. "The Photodermatitis caused by Sweet Cow Parsnip (Heracleum dulce)". Vestn. Derm. Vener. (in Russian). 4: 64. Cited by Mitchell and Rook (1979), p. 693.
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