Madison Reeves, a 29-year-old insurance agent from Longview, Texas, experienced severe burns and blisters on her legs after wiping lime juice from her poolside beers onto her skin while on holiday in Cancun, Mexico. The condition, known as phytophotodermatitis or 'margarita burn', is a phototoxic reaction that occurs when citrus juice on the skin is exposed to sunlight.
Holiday Turned Sour
Madison flew to Cancun with her husband Gunnar Reeves, 31, their four-year-old son Jack, and her parents on May 17 for a family holiday. On the first full day at the hotel, she enjoyed three small Mexican lagers while sunbathing by the pool, each served with a lime wedge. After squeezing the lime into her drink, she wiped the excess juice from her hands onto her legs without a second thought.
The following day, while showering, Madison felt a burning sensation and discovered her lower body covered in strange red marks. Initially suspecting an allergic reaction, she sought advice from her mother, Angie, 54, as her legs began to swell and blister. Horrifying photos show painful red marks and pus-filled blisters covering her legs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Madison and her mother identified the condition as phytophotodermatitis, commonly known as 'margarita burn', after consulting Google and drawing on Angie's knowledge from medical TV shows. A doctor she met on her trip advised applying Vaseline to the wounds and covering them with gauze. Madison stayed out of the sun as much as possible and avoided swimming in the pool.
She described the pain: 'Every step I took, it felt like my leg was going to split open to the amount of pressure inside.' She had three large blisters and over 50 smaller ones, primarily on her right hip where she had wiped most of the lime juice.
Recovery and Awareness
A month later, the blisters burst on their own and are healing well, though dark pigmentation patches remain on her legs. Madison does not believe she will be permanently scarred with scar treatment. She is now speaking out to warn others about the risks of citrus juice exposure in sunlight.
'I found out it's not just limes that will do this. It's also other citruses and plants that will do the same thing, like grapefruit,' she said. 'I would say just be mindful and wash your hands. I do know that I will be extra cautious in the future. It's put me off having a beer in the sun with a lime.'
