Symptoms Of Citrus Burns

Phytophotodermatitis, also called citrus burns, is a type of contact dermatitis. It means your skin develops a rash when it comes into contact with an irritant. Phytophotodermatitis is the least common type of contact dermatitis, and the name gives you an idea of what the irritant is. Phyto refers to a plant and photo is talking about sunlight. When you put those together with dermatitis, you get a rash caused by a reaction from a plant and sunlight. In particular, phytophotodermatitis is caused when UVA rays activate a substance called furocoumarins through photosynthesis. This substance can be found on the surface of plants, which is why simply coming into contact with a plant in sunlight can cause phytophotodermatitis.

Red Skin

Getting red blotches on your skin is one of the more obvious symptoms of phytophotodermatitis. You may look like you have a sunburn, except the redness isn't spread evenly all over your body. It will usually be just in the spots where you were exposed to furocoumarins. Redness usually shows up within thirty-six hours of being exposed to activated furocoumarins, and although it will go away fairly quickly, the redness will turn dark as hyperpigmentation sets in. Individuals with darker skin will probably have dark spots or no spots at all until the hyperpigmentation sets in.