Haley Fulton Pate

Celery (Apium graveolens)—that lowly vegetable that often languishes in the refrigerator crisper and apparently supplies fewer calories than are required to consume it—contains a myriad of photosensitizing chemicals known as furocoumarins and psoralens that can cause phytophotodermatitis (PPD) when handled prior to exposure to UV light.1 Individuals who are most likely to develop PPD caused by repeated contact with celery include food industry workers (eg, grocery store workers, farmers) who...