What is a margarita burn? CPR Kids nurse issues warning for parents not to let their kids play with limes in the sun after mum says her son suffered painful blisters
- Mum's child suffered margarita burns
- Burn caused by lime juice on skin exposed to sunlight
- READ MORE: The public health warning every parent needs to know about as boy is rushed to hospital with painful 'margarita burn'
A mum has issued to warning to parents after her young child suffered painful burns from playing with a lime in direct sunlight.
The child developed what's called a margarita burn, also known as phytophotodermatitis, from touching lime juice which was then was exposed to the sun.
Sharing her story with CPR Kids, the mum said she was 'mortified' by the severity of the burn and wished she had known about the danger sooner.
CPR Kids founder and nurse Sarah Hunstead said margarita burns are not the result of an allergy and can happen to anyone.
She said they can even cause pigmentation changes to the skin years after the burn has healed.
Scroll down for video
![CPR Kids founder Sarah Hunstead (pictured) has issued a warning to parents after a mum said her child suffered horrific margarita burns from getting lime juice on his skin in the sun](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/10/02/76361701-12612905-image-m-54_1696902115805.jpg)
CPR Kids founder Sarah Hunstead (pictured) has issued a warning to parents after a mum said her child suffered horrific margarita burns from getting lime juice on his skin in the sun
'My son over the weekend has developed a chemical burn (margarita burn or phytophotodermatitis) eating the outside of a lime while playing with it in his little pool,' the mum said in an Instagram post.
'I never knew that this could happen as a parent and my husband and I are mortified with the result of the burn.'
After telling her friends about the burn she said many of them also weren't aware the combination could cause such as awful reaction.
'I wish I knew about it and wondered if it might be a post that would be beneficial to share among your people so it doesn't have to happen to other mums and dads,' she said.
'He is now under the care of our local burns team but it has been a horrible few days!'
![A margarita burn occurs on the skin where lime juice has been exposed to sunlight. Sarah said it is not an allergic reaction and can happen to anyone (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/10/03/76361659-12612905-A_margarita_burn_occurs_on_the_skin_where_lime_juice_has_been_ex-a-20_1696906322363.jpg)
A margarita burn occurs on the skin where lime juice has been exposed to sunlight. Sarah said it is not an allergic reaction and can happen to anyone (stock image)
Sarah explained the science behind a margarita burn to warn parents how to keep themselves and their children safe.
'Phytophodermatitis or a margarita burn is a form of plant dermatitis,' she said.
'Which is a skin reaction that occurs when these photosensitising chemicals that are in the sap or fruits become smeared on the skin and there is then exposure to sunlight.'
She said the areas on the skin exposed to the sap or fruit juice and sun light can then become red, inflamed or blistered.
'After the acute reaction starts to subside then you can actually get some pigment changes that can last for years,' Sarah said.
'This can happen in anyone, it's not an allergy. It's accidental contamination of the skin with the juice or sap from a causative plant followed by sun exposure to induce that reaction.'
Viewers were thankful for the important information and while some knew about the dangers other said they had been oblivious.
Limes are the fruit most frequently associated with margarita burns but lemon, fennel, parsnip, mangoes, carrots and parsley can also be the cause.