From celery to parsley – all the foods that can trigger a nasty skin condition if you chop them in the sun…after doctor warns of surge in ‘margarita burn’

Those who enjoy sipping a margarita in the sun will no doubt have been concerned by recent reports linking their favorite drink to an unsightly rash.

Dr. Brandon Adler, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, recently warned of increasing cases of a skin condition called photocontact dermatitis or “margarita burn.”

The condition occurs when citrus fruits, such as limes, land on your skin and react with the sun, causing an itchy, red rash, similar to severe sunburn or eczema.

It means that those who prepare citrus drinks in the sun are at particular risk.

In severe cases, it develops into blisters, Dr. Adler said.

But despite the focus on the lime-based drink, experts say there are many foods that can trigger this peculiar reaction.

Aside from limes, parsley, celery, figs, parsnips, carrots, beans and yarrow can all react with your skin and cause photocontact dermatitis.

They all contain an organic molecule called furanocoumarin.

It is thought that certain plants produce these molecules as a kind of evolutionary defense against animals that might eat them, according to research by the University of Illinois.

There are also other, non-food products that can cause photocontact dermatitis, including some medical creams and even sunscreen.

People who react to these substances usually do so because they have developed an allergy to them that only flares up with sun exposure, Dr. Adler told DailyMail.com.

When people do react to sunscreens, it is usually due to an allergy to the fragrances added to the product. Adler emphasized that it is unlikely that you will experience any discomfort from your sunscreen.

‘This in no way implies that sunscreens are dangerous or that sunscreens should be avoided. On the contrary, as a dermatologist I recommend using sunscreen daily precisely to prevent skin cancer,” he said.

These reactions have affected about five to six percent of the general population, according to researchers Dermatology Net.

But, Adler said, it could be much more common than doctors realize, because many patients don’t seek professional help for the condition, assuming it’s a common sunburn.

Dr. Brandon Adler, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, warned of an increase in “margarita burning” amid rising temperatures in the US.

An important way to know if you are affected is to pay attention to the pattern of the burn. Adler said these burns usually look “streaky, like juices are running over the skin.” Or just like a very special dark spot on the parts of the body that have been in contact.’

If you suspect you’ve come into contact with something that’s causing this flare-up, Adler said, the first crucial step is to wash yourself of whatever you came into contact with.

After cleansing your skin, you should be protected from the sun.

Then, in most cases, these rashes disappear within a few days or weeks. These reactions usually don’t even require medication, but Adler recommends staying out of the sun.

Heading into the sunny season in the US, Adler expects there will be an upswing, as there is every year. Make sure you are prepared.