This is usually a bitter start to the summer.
An infant developed a blistering rash after chewing celery within the sun, a terrified mother claims.
Reanna Bendzak from Canada gave her then 7-month-old daughter a stalk of celery to chew on to soothe her gums when she was teething. The family frolicked outdoors, basking within the sun and considering that the infant was shielded from the sun.
“It wasn’t warm by any means, but it surely was sunny so she was covered head to toe in pajamas and we were wearing a sun hat so we thought she was fairly well protected,” she said.Good morning Americaadding that she was always wiping the child’s face with a handkerchief.
But the following morning, when the infant woke up with a rash across the mouth that later blistered, Bendzak knew something was improper.
![Cheeks of an infant with a blistering rash](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011798209.jpg?w=1024)
![Photo taken before baby's pale face rash](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011798207.jpg)
The infant had phytophotodermatitis — a response that happens when touching certain foods on the skin, akin to celery, citrus fruits, figs, carrots, in addition to wild dill, parsley, and parsnips.
“While you get a light-weight or UV-sensitive substance in your skin, it triggers a phototoxic response when exposed to the sun, the severity of which will likely be proportional to how much of the agent has touched your skin,” Dr. Clarissa Yang, chair of dermatology at Tufts Medical Center, previously told The Post. .
The painful condition is commonly referred to as “margarita burn” due to the common tendency to sip on a mouth-puckering cocktail while basking in the summertime heat.
![Child's face with a rash while healing](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011798208.jpg)
“As all parents know, your first response is, ‘Oh my God, what have I done? And the way could I actually have prevented it? Bendzak said, adding that in hindsight, she would have washed the infant’s face with soap and water.
“But you are only pretty much as good a parent because the knowledge you’ve, and we did what we thought was best on the time.”
Her daughter, now 9 months old, suffered from blisters on her face for 10 days, which later changed into hyperpigmentation before finally disappearing after six weeks. While the infant is now “effective”, 20 minutes of direct sun exposure was enough to trigger the response.
Now the mother of two is sharing her story on Facebookand even reproduced the response her baby experienced on her shoulder.
“I hope this story will help others learn from our experience and make higher decisions about their personal lives,” said Bendzak, who “had no idea” this might occur.
Earlier this 12 months, a young boy experienced the identical response after squeezing lime juice, and last 12 months the same fate befell TikToker.
The creator who goes by Shana online has issued a public announcement advising viewers not to cut limes within the sun – irrespective of how good a refreshing marg sounds.
“I now have second and third degree burns and blisters on my hands,” she wrote in a viral TikTok video to warn others.