Dermatologist Reveals Why Your Margarita May Give You a Rash

Making a margarita or a salad might make you more prone to sunburn or rashes, new research has found.

Certain ingredients including limes, figs, and celery, can leave chemicals on the skin that make people more susceptible to sun sensitivity and conditions that come along with it, according to new research that was presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) 2024 annual meeting.

“Sun sensitivity is a common condition that can negatively impact a person’s quality of life,” board-certified dermatologist Brandon Adler, an assistant professor of dermatology at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, said at the meeting.

One of the conditions that can come from increased sun sensitivity is photocontact dermatitis, which can occur if the skin is exposed to sunlight after touching these certain ingredients.

Photocontact dermatitis is a type of skin reaction that occurs when certain substances on the skin, known as photosensitizers, are activated by exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light. It can lead to blisters, skin darkening, an itchy rash, or a severe sunburn on areas of the body most exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, arms, or legs.

The degree to which a person may be vulnerable to sun sensitivity depends on the individual’s skin sensitivity, the potency of the photosensitizer, the intensity and duration of sunlight exposure, and the amount of the substance applied to the skin. Therefore, identifying the substances that someone has been exposed to is important to consider in treating the issue.

“While we will often prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to treat photocontact dermatitis, the primary treatment is identifying and avoiding the irritant or allergen,” Adler said at the meeting. “In many cases these are reversible reactions, so if the patient stops using the substance causing the reaction, then they will stop having symptoms and won’t need ongoing treatment.”

Meanwhile, people with darker skin tones may be more vulnerable to sun sensitivity than many might think, the research reveals. Sun exposure may lead to chronic actinic dermatitis, or a condition called polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). This is characterized by tiny bumps or rashes that arrive after sun exposure.

Those with sun sensitivity need to be especially careful to wear a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, as well as sun-protective clothing. Those suffering from any kind of photocontact dermatitis should go to their dermatologist for treatment, Adler urged.

“If you notice a rash or blistering on your body after being in the sun, it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist, who can determine whether you have a sun-related skin disorder,” he said. “No two patients are the same. A board-certified dermatologist can determine what is causing your sun sensitivity and provide a treatment option that works best for your condition.”

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