Beware margarita burn this common summer ailment can leave you howling in pain

A hangover might be the least of your worries after that poolside cocktail.As summer heats up, doctors are warning about so-called “margarita burn,” a blistering rash that can leave you wincing in pain long after the last sip.“It’s more common than you think,” Dr.David Kim, a board-certified dermatologist, said during a recent segment on TODAY. Officially called phytophotodermatitis, it’s a painful skin reaction that occurs when certain plant-based chemicals called furocoumarins come into contact with the skin and are then exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays from the sun.

Furocoumarins are found in citrus fruits like limes and lemons, as well as in other plants such as celery, parsley, figs and carrots.“I commonly see phytophotodermatitis when somebody has been barbecuing on a sunny afternoon and having drinks with limes in them, like margaritas or beers,” Dr.Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist, said in an interview with the Cleveland Clinic.At first glance, it can pass for a nasty sunburn.

The reaction usually begins within 24 to 48 hours of sun exposure and can cause redness, swelling, painful blisters, burning and intense itching.In more severe cases, large, fluid-filled blisters can form, making the skin feel raw and irritated.“It only develops in areas where the chemical touches the skin, explaining odd shapes like streaks or dots where lime juice may have dripped down the skin or splashed,” Dr.

Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, told Prevention. The severity depends on how much sun and plant chemical exposure you’ve had.While the rash itself may clear in a few days, phytophotodermatitis often leaves behind dark spots or patches of discoloration known as hyperpigmentation — and those can stick around for weeks, months or even years.

Anyone mixing furocoumarins and sunlight can develop margarita burn, but some groups are more vulnerable.For example, fair-skinned people and those sensiti...