Luckily, it's not the consumer that often gets hit with the rash, but the chef.
"The oil from the lime, when it comes in contact with sunlight, can cause a blistering reaction, similar to poison ivy," Dr. Howard Brooks, a dermatologist based in Georgetown told WTOP.
Bartenders, who squeeze limes for a living, are among the most common victims of Margarita Dermatitis.
So while you're entertaining this summer, making drinks and tropical snacks for friends, follow Dr. Brooks' method of preventing the rash: "Wash off the juice and apply sunscreen immediately."
Should you fail to wash off the oils before the rash sets in, a cool compress or hydrocortisone cream can help with healing. If it gets bad, you should see a doctor immediately.
Here's another idea — cut out limes. Luckily, lemons, oranges, grapefruits, etc. don't carry the same itch-inducing oils.
For fresh limes, check out the South San Francisco Farmers Market at Orange Memorial Park, Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
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