Touching the mango skin, which contains urushiol, can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Mango allergy is a rare food allergy that often goes unnoticed. What many people don’t know is that there are two different forms of this allergy. The first is a general allergy to mangoes and the second is an allergy caused by urushiol, which is found in mango sap and skin. Many of the signs of an allergic reaction to mangoes are often very similar to other food allergies, including swelling, hives, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and in rare and extreme cases, anaphylactic shock.
For people with a general mango allergy, consuming anything that contains the fruit can trigger a potentially serious reaction.
General allergy to mango mainly occurs when mango is ingested. Less serious signs are watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing. Milder signs of an allergic reaction to mangoes include abdominal pain and diarrhea. The most common symptom is difficulty swallowing or breathing due to swelling of the throat and lips. This can lead to a more serious reaction, such as anaphylactic shock. If breathing problems occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately before symptoms worsen.
Sneezing is one of the less serious signs of an allergic reaction to mangoes.
Mangoes are part of the poison oak family, so the irritant urushiol is found in mango sap and bark. This allergic reaction to mangoes occurs when the mango skin comes into contact with a person orally or by touch; it usually only affects that specific area. A common sign is contact dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin or a type of eczema. Hives also often occur, especially around the face and lips, and the skin may also become scaly or blister which can cause pus. Very rarely, anaphylactic shock can occur along with severe swelling, low blood pressure, and itching of the face.
Allergic reactions caused by the irritant urushiol, found in mango skin, can trigger signs of dermatitis on the part of the body that came into contact with the fruit.
The decision on the best method of treatment depends on the type of allergy and the severity of the allergic reaction. For a general allergic reaction to mangoes, an antihistamine is usually enough to allow a person to eat a mango. Hives are sometimes cleared up with a cortisone cream. For more severe reactions, there are more intensive treatments. It is advisable to consult a doctor before considering or taking any allergy treatment.
Mango chutney.
Preventing an allergic reaction to mangoes is usually quite an easy task for both types of allergic reactions. People with mango allergies can read food labels to make sure they don’t contain mango. If a person is allergic to the urushiol in the mango peel, have someone remove the peel and the top layer of the mango that touched the peel should suffice.
