Phytophotodermatitis

# Overview
Phytophotodermatitis, also known as "Lime Disease" (not to be confused with Lyme Disease), "Berloque dermatitis", or "Margarita photodermatitis" is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. It is frequently  mistaken for hereditary conditions such as atopic dermatitis or chemical burns, but it is caused by contact with the photosensitizing compounds found naturally in some plants and vegetables like parsnips, citrus fruits, and more.

# Symptoms
The symptoms are equivalent to photodermatitis, but vary in severity.
The skin condition is a cutaneous phototoxic inflammatory eruption resulting from contact with light-sensitizing botanical substancesparticularly from the plant families Umbelliferae, Rutaceae, Moraceae, and Leguminosaeand ultraviolet light, typically from sun exposure. Phytophotodermatitis usually results in hyperpigmentation of the skin that often appears like a bruise. This may be accompanied by blisters or burning. The reaction typically begins within 24 hours of exposure and peaks at 4872 hours after the exposure.
Phytophotodermatitis can affect people of any age, but because of the bruise-like appearance that is usually in the shape of handprints or fingerprints, it is often mistaken in children for child abuse.

# Common causes
- Umbelliferae
Wild parsnip, parsley, celery, common hogweed, giant hogweed
Carrot and wild carrot
Notobubon galbanum, a South African plant also known as Blister Bush
- Wild parsnip, parsley, celery, common hogweed, giant hogweed
- Carrot and wild carrot
- Notobubon galbanum, a South African plant also known as Blister Bush
- Rutaceae
Lemon, Lime, Bergamot orange
Common Rue (Ruta graveolens) and other plants in the genus Ruta
- Lemon, Lime, Bergamot orange
- Common Rue (Ruta graveolens) and other plants in the genus Ruta
- Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which can infect celery
- Fig, its latex contains various furocoumarin isomers such as 8-methoxypsoralen, which induce allergic photodermatitis 

# Diagnosis

## Physical Examination

### Skin

### Extremity
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.
- Phytophotodermatitis. With permission from Dermatology Atlas.

# Treatment
Phytophotodermatitis can be prevented by staying indoors after handling the above substances. Windows will filter out ultraviolet light and prevent symptoms from arising.
Many different topical and oral medications can be used to treat the inflammatory reaction of phytophotodermatitis. A dermatologist may also prescribe a bleaching cream to help treat the hyperpigmentation and return the skin pigmentation back to normal. If they do not receive treatment, the affected sites may develop permanent hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
Sunblock can greatly mitigate symptoms, at least when caused by rue (Ruta Graveolens).