Beware of Limes and Sunshine

I can't say that I'm a frequent consumer of limes, but I do have them from time to time. Great in the summer as an addition to food, even better when used for adult beverages like margaritas.

That's where the trouble started for a Florida man named Aaron Peers, who's also soon to be a newlywed.

From The Mail:

A Florida man suffered a bizarre chemical reaction to limes so severe while making margaritas over Memorial Day weekend that he was rushed to the hospital with second degree burns.
Aaron Peers was squeezing limes in his Jacksonville backyard with his fiancee Alyse Golden when he unknowingly got the juice on the backs of his hands.
The next day, strange burns had appeared and by Tuesday, a severe blister had erupted on his hands. 

Now, I've heard people chalk up an illness to "a bad olive," but that generally means their illness is a hangover. Aaron is definitely not suffering from a hangover.

He rushed to the emergency room with no idea how the serious burns had occurred. And for a while, doctors were also perplexed,CBS News reports.
Eventually, Peers was diagnosed with phytophotodermatitis, a toxic reaction between a plant's chemicals and the skin in the presence of UV rays. 

And, before we dismiss this as one Florida man's misfortune, you might be surprised to know that it happens more than you'd think. According to Florida dermatologist Dr. Douglas Robins:

'If you've never had it before that doesn't matter,' said Dr. Robins. 'It's a combination of lime juice and the sun.'
The reaction can be severe, as in Peers' case, but can also manifest as a darkening of the skin, which Robins said can even last for years. 

Take a look: