Drinking alcohol in the sun could do serious damage to your skin… here’s why
Coming into contact with citrusy drinks could cause a chemical reaction
FANCY sipping an ice cold margarita out in the sun? You might change your mind after reading this.
Not many people know about photophytodermatitis, a chemical reaction that can make your skin super sensitive to the sun’s rays.
If you handle or spill any citrusy foods onto your skin, you leave them vulnerable to the painful reaction.
Exposing yourself to the sun after coming into contact with citrus fruits can cause the skin to suffer a chemical burn.
Symptoms include burning or itching skin and blisters that can spring up slowly over time.
That’s worrying news for anyone who likes sipping on citrus based cocktails, such as mojitos, caipirinhas or margaritas.
Chopping up limes, oranges and lemons to put in your Pimm’s could also prove risky business.
In an interview with BuzzFeed life, dermatologist Dr Dawn Davis explained: “Anyone who gets a relative amount of oil or liquid from the plant on their skin and then gets an adequate amount of UV light will get the reaction.”
In order to avoid experiencing the painful reaction, always wash skin that has come into contact with citrus foods before heading out into the sun.
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If you’re unlucky enough to experience a painful chemical burn, always make sure to see your GP if the symptoms don’t subside after a day.
In mild cases, applying hydrocortisone cream to the area could help to relieve the reaction.
Stayed out in the sun too long? These natural sunburn remedies are probably lying around in your kitchen...
- Apply a cold wet teabag to help cool the area
- Slather some soothing Aloe Vera over burns
- Add some baking soda to your bath and take a dip
- Soak a flannel in milk an apply to sore area to encourage healing process
- Have your eyes puffed up from the sun? Try adding a slice of cooling cucumber
Earlier this month, an online poll from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) revealed that eight out of ten people don’t apply sunscreen before heading out into the sun.
Shockingly, 70 per cent of people aren’t topping up the cream every two hours.
Jonathon Major, from BAD, said: “it is vital to ensure that you are fully covered and that the sunscreen has had time to be absorbed into the skin.”