Putting a lime in beer during the summer is one of the more popular moves while enjoying an adult beverage out and about. Whether that’s Corona and lime or an orange in a Blue Moon, this method of boozing gives a refreshing taste that just makes the summer heat a little more bearable. But, be careful, because it can lead to some serious consequences.
In one of the grossest sunburn stories we’ve ever heard, some poor guy found out just how bad lime in beer can be — so take his story as a warning sign to be more responsible about it. No, we’re not joking.
According to Men’s Health, via DailyMail, a 52-year-old man named Adam Levy from Minnesota experienced second-degree burns after his hand broke out into a two-inch blister and swelled to four times its normal size, leaving him feeling dizzy and nauseous. Levy was prepping for his daughter’s graduation party, putting a lime in his beer while doing so, and exposing himself to lots of sun while doing it.
Talking to DailyMail, here’s what Levy said about the scary experience.
“The blistering was exactly where the lime juice droplets would have touched my skin while I was squeezing them out,” he told the Daily Mail.
Yep, putting a lime in beer ended up being the culprit of the burns and swelling, with the condition known as phytophotodermatitis — or, in other words, another name for rash or burn caused by a chemical in citrus fruits called furanocoumarin. Basically, the acids in citrus and fruits can exfoliate the outer layer of your skin, and, when exposed to sunshine, can make you more likely for burns, per Men’s Health, who spoke with Joshua Zeichner, M.D. and director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Hell, there’s even a YouTube video that explains how all this happens.
So, the next time you’re thinking about dropping a lime in beer, make sure you go and wash your hands afterwards, because we’d hate for you to end up like the aforementioned Adam Levy. Who knew drinking a fresh beer in the sunshine could be so risky, huh?