Parsnips and Phytophotodermatosis

A 9-month-old was brought with distinct, red, blistering skin patches on both cheeks and chin, which had developed over two days. The child did not have a fever, other accompanying symptoms, or any involvement of the mucous membranes. 

Detailed history revealed that the child had eaten and subsequently vomited mashed parsnips shortly before sun exposure during a summer beach picnic. This sequence of events occurred approximately six hours before the appearance of the initially red, swollen, and well-defined skin lesions.

The provisional diagnosis was parsnip phytophotodermatosis on the face. Treatment with hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% for a week resulted in the complete resolution of the skin lesions.

Source: Chene L, Chiaverini C, Kandemir S, Hubiche T. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2023 Sep 9.