Warm weather means spending a lot more time outside. You probably already know the sun can wreak havoc on your skin and take steps to prevent sunburn, but you may not be as aware of another summertime skin issue — rashes. From margarita dermatitis to swimmer’s itch, here are seven common but surprising causes of rashes during the summer months.
Margarita dermatitis
Whether frozen or on the rocks, margaritas can be a refreshing summer cocktail, but they may lead to more than a potential hangover. A dribble of citrus juice on skin that’s exposed to the sun can quickly lead to a nasty burn called phytophotodermatitis — sometimes known as margarita dermatitis. It happens when a photosensitizing compound in limes called furocoumarin — also found in other citrus fruits as well as parsley, dill, celery, and a number of other plants — becomes activated by ultraviolet A (UVA) light, causing a burning rash within hours.
Seabather’s eruption
Notice a rash under your swimsuit after a dip in the ocean? You may have seabather’s eruption, also known as pica-pica or sea lice. This occurs when tiny thimble jellyfish and sea anemones become trapped underneath your swimsuit and release stinging cells that inject a toxin, causing an allergic reaction in your skin. You may notice a prickly sensation while you’re swimming. Within four to 24 hours, a patch of itchy red bumps that look a bit like insect bites or hives appear in areas covered by your swimsuit.
Swimmer’s itch
The rash from swimmer’s itch differs from seabather’s eruption because it crops up on areas that aren’t covered by swimwear. This occurs when microscopic parasites from infected snails living in the warm, shallow water of lakes, streams, or the ocean burrow into the skin, causing an allergic reaction that appears as tiny red bumps or large red welts.
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