WHAT IS PHYTOPHOTODERMATITIS?
- Phytophotodermatitis is a condition that occurs by contact with plants containing phototoxic agents such as furocoumarins and psoralens with subsequent ultraviolet exposure.
- It typically presents as sharply defined erythematous patches with occasional blistering, sometimes accompanied with pain or itching sensation. It usually leaves brown pigmentation on inflamed areas but the spontaneous disappearance of the pigmentation could be a diagnostic clue of phytophotodermatitis.
- However, pigmentation without preceding erythema or blistering could be the only clinical finding of phytophotodermatitis, depending on the amount of contacting substance, skin color of the affected patient and intensity of photo-exposure.
- Lime is the most well-known culprit for this asymptomatic hyperpigmentation.
- There have been several reports in which waiters who prepare cocktails with lime, such as mojito, developed spontaneous, usually asymptomatic pigmentation on their dorsum of hands. In most of these cases induced by contact with lime, an interval of 7 to 14 days between exposure and onset of lesion was a common finding.
- This type of hyperpigmentation faded away without any treatment.