Mrs Kristen Storey1, Dr Bronwyn Griffin2, Professor Roy Kimble1,2
1Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia, 2Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research, South Brisbane, Australia
Abstract:
Phytophotodermatitis is a condition caused by a reaction of sunlight to skin that has had previous contact with a particular species of plant containing furcoumarin. While there are many plants that have been described as possible causes, the most common are lemons and limes. Contact with the plant along with prolonged exposure to UV light, can cause erythema and blistering of the skin similar to those of a superficial partial thickness burn.
We present a case study of a 9 year old girl who presented with extensive blistering from contact with limes. This young girl was admitted to our facility with blistering to approximately 10% TBSA. She had spent several hours over two days jumping on a trampoline with a collection of limes before noticing red marks forming on her legs. On presentation, she had blistering to bilateral lower legs, thighs and back. Treatment followed our hospital protocol of Mepilex Ag. While this condition usually causes quite superficial epidermal loss, they can be extremely painful and in some cases, including this one, hospitalisation is required for pain relief.
While we have seen a few cases of phytophotodermatitis over the past decade, they are uncommon. For those that have not visualised this condition previously, diagnosis can be inaccurate. We are presenting this to heighten awareness of this condition to those who have previously not seen it or have had limited contact with this.
Biography:
I am the Clinical Nurse consultant within the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital Brisbane