Phytophotodermatitis in a child after mowing the lawn: a case report

Litovkina A.O., Smolnikov E.V.

1) State Research Center, Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 2) Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Department of Immunology, Medical Institute, Moscow, Russia

Phytophotodermatitis is an acute phototoxic skin reaction that develops with repeated exposure to plant furanocoumarins and ultraviolet radiation. In children, the dermatitis is often mistakenly diagnosed as a thermal burn, an infectious rash, or a sign of abuse, which delays the initiation of adequate treatment and restoration of the skin barrier. A clinical case of phytophotodermatitis in a 10-year-old child with no history of allergies is described. The child presented with complaints of a rash on his feet, accompanied by severe itching. The rash developed 24 hours after mowing the lawn in open shoes on a sunny day. With therapy, complete regression of the inflammatory lesions was achieved within 10-14 days; residual hyperpigmentation regressed within 3 months. Timely diagnosis, anti-inflammatory therapy, and consistent restoration of the skin barrier ensure a favorable outcome and prevent long-term post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

For citations: Litovkina A.O., Smolnikov E.V. Phytophotodermatitis in a child after mowing the lawn: a case report. Pharmateca. 2026;33(3):140-145. (In Russ.). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/pharmateca.2026.3.140-145

Authors’ contribution: All authors confirm compliance with the ICMJE international criteria for authorship (all authors made a significant contribution to the concept development, research and analysis, and preparation of the article, and read and approved the final version before publication). Litovkina A.O. – clinical work, manuscript writing. Smolnikov E.V. – manuscript writing and editing. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflicts of interest: The authors confirm that they have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: Publication of this article was supported by La Roche-Posay. La Roche-Posay employees had the opportunity to review the article prior to publication and provide comments regarding the company’s products. However, all decisions regarding the final text were made by the authors.
Patient Consent for Publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s legal representative for the publication of this clinical observation and accompanying anonymized data (photographs, examination and treatment results).

Keywords

About the Authors

Alla O. Litovkina, Allergist-Immunologist, Researcher, Department of Allergology and Immunopathology of the Skin, State Research Center,
Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow; Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology,
Medical Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia; dr.litovkina@gmail.com, ORCID:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5021-9276, eLibrary SPIN: 2337-7930 (corresponding author)
Evgeny V. Smolnikov, Allergist-Immunologist, Researcher, Department 84 of Skin Allergology and Immunopathology, State Research Center,
Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Moscow; Senior Lecturer, Department of Immunology, Medical Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, Russia; qweril2010@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1302-4178, eLibrary SPIN: 4874-8100

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