mango
Mangoes are one of the most delicious of tropical fruits. Regardless of what color it is, from bright yellow, scarlet red to unripe green, mangoes have captivated many. Whether eaten ripe for its tangy sweetness, or unripe for its shockingly sour flavour, mangoes have become a favorite by many individuals. Eating mangoes however can be a very debilitating experience when one has mango allergy. Allergy to mangoes has become much more common recently, and has prevented many from enjoying this wonderful fruit.
Although a seasonal tropical fruit, the advent of global trade has ensured that mangoes can be available even in temperate regions all year round. It can be bought at local food stalls, grocery stores and malls. Mangoes or Mangifera indica belongs to the family Anacardiaceae. This family is also home to such rash causing plants as poison ivy and poison sumac. Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac all contain the compound urishiol, which induces a severe allergic reaction particularly on the skin (contact dermatitis). This produces the incredible itching sensation felt when one encounters poison ivy. This compound can be found in the sap and peel of mango fruits, making people sensitive to this compound have allergic reactions. Those with allergies to pistachios and cashews must also be cautious when eating mangoes as all three are related.
Mango allergy can be a bane to those who cherish this marvellous fruit. The various nutritional benefits of mangoes, from its high fiber and vitamin content to the other beneficial compounds present in it that help improve the immune system makes eating mangoes not just an enjoyable act but also a healthy one.
Signs and Symptoms
Contact of the mango peel, leaves and stem with the skin can induce allergic symptoms. These symptoms can also be experienced if one were to ingest mangoes. Allergic symptoms from mango allergy may appear minutes to hours upon ingestion. The first sign is usually irritation of the skin around the lips, cheeks and an itchy feeling on the upper portion of the inside of the mouth. Blisters and redness may occur in this region as well as in other parts of the body like the hands, feet and groin. Itchiness all over the body may accompany these cases. In much more extreme mango allergic reactions, stomach pains, headaches and vertigo have been noted. Contact with the mango peel can be avoided by careful peeling of the mango while wearing gloves. This would prevent any urishiol from coming into contact with both the individual’s skin and with the portion to be eaten. Some people appear to be allergic not to the peel or sap but to the hairs surrounding the mango seed. The hairs in this seed may trigger an immune response that would cause allergic symptoms. Carefully slicing the mango to avoid obtaining hairs can be a difficult but for some a worthwhile solution. Use two knives (one for peeling and one for slicing) to better avoid having an allergic reaction to mangoes.
Tests and Treatments
Confirming if one has a mango allergy is easy. An allergy specialist (allergist) can give a test, usually involving application of mango sap unto your skin to gauge the severity of the reaction. Typical treatments usually involve Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and other antihistamines if the mango allergy induces swelling and respiratory response and corticosteroids when dermatitis sets in. If the case is severe, avoidance of the fruit itself is usually recommended.
Learning more about the symptoms and conditions that provoke an allergic reaction is the first positive step towards managing it. Individuals with mango allergies need not fret. With proper precaution and with the help of an allergist, mango allergy can be managed and the fruit still be enjoyed.
References:
- Oka K, Saito F, Yasuhara T, Sugimoto A. (2004). A study of cross-reactions between mango contact allergens and urushiol. Contact Dermatitis 51 (5–6): 292–6.
- Susser, Allen (2001). The Great Mango Book. New York: Ten Speed Press