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Understanding Mango Allergy
Discovering Lily’s mango allergy was an unexpected journey that began when she was 7 during a family weekend in DC. Little did we know that a seemingly innocent bowl of pre-cut mango from Costco would trigger a reaction unlike any she had ever experienced. At the time, we were aware of her allergy to tree nuts, but the connection between mango and pistachio took us by surprise. We confirmed Lily’s mango allergy through a skin prick test, a revelation that explained the alarming allergic reaction she had that evening. As for me, I remember it all too well. As I was dozing off, she quietly told me in a calm voice that she was having trouble breathing, which was obvious in the sound of her voice. This frightening experience prompted me to dive deeper into the link between mango and other major allergens, especially tree nuts.
In sharing this personal journey, the goal of this post is two fold: to raise awareness about the connection between mango and major allergens like tree nuts, and to begin a collective exploration of foods related to mango. As we discovered in Lily’s case, a link between mango and pistachio exists. Given her tree nut allergy, we wanted to better understand the relationship between mangos and other mango related foods we should be considering.
What is Mango Allergy?
Mango allergy is an uncommon, yet significant condition, that manifests itself in several ways. It involves an allergic reaction to components present in mangoes, leading to symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe and life-threatening reactions. Some people develop contact dermatitis, a rash, after touching a mango peel but are actually able to eat the fruit safely. Others experience a serious reaction to any contact. This can include hives, swelling, or even a life-threatening, whole-body reaction called anaphylaxis.
Mango Allergy Cross Reactivity – Insights
While fresh mangoes are a common concern, if you have a confirmed mango allergy, you should be vigilant about mango-derived products. These include dried mango, mango pulp, mango juice, mango wine, beverages like lassis and aamras, or tropical food products found in candies, juices and snacks. Always scrutinize product labels, as even unseemingly unrelated items may contain mango components.
Here are some insights we wanted to share regarding mango allergies and mango related foods:
- Anacardiaceae Plant Family: Over 1,000 varieties of mangoes exist, and cross-reactive allergies may occur with other plants in the Anacardiaceae plant family, including poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac.
- Mango Allergy and Latex Sensitivity: Cross reactivity with latex may lead to symptoms of oral allergy syndrome.
- Cross Reactive Foods: Individuals with a mango allergy may experience cross-reactivity with various foods, including cashew, pistachio, chestnut, peanut, peach, pear, apple, papaya, celery, carrot, avocado, banana, kiwi, tomato, and passion fruit among others.
Similarities in allergens between mango, cashew, pistachio, and latex underscore the need for comprehensive testing. If you have food allergies, talk to your doctor about potential cross-reactive foods. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, mango allergies aren’t as common as other food allergies, and we don’t know exactly how often they occur. Studies suggest limited shared reactions between mango, cashew, and pistachio, but clinical reactions vary among individuals. Some people with mango allergies also react to cashews or pistachios, while other do not. So advising someone with a mango allergy can be tricky because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. To find out whether you’re allergic to any of these related foods, the most reliable test is an oral food challenge. Skin tests and blood tests don’t provide you conclusive information about cross-reactivity with cashew and pistachio.
Mango Allergy Symptoms & Diagnosis
Mango allergies can trigger a rash or a more severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Understanding the symptoms of mango allergy is critical for timely intervention and effective management of allergy symptoms. Individuals with mango allergies may experience a variety of reactions ranging from mild discomfort to severe symptoms.
These symptoms are categorized into two types:
- Delayed Reaction: occurs days after contact with mango, often presenting as a rash, known as “mango mouth” or contact dermatitis. Symptoms: Redness, itchiness, swelling around the eyes.
- Immediate Reaction: Within 24 hours, ranging from mild itchiness to severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis. Symptoms: Itchiness, swelling of the mouth, lips, throat, face, wheezing, hives.
- Anaphylaxis: A severe, rapid-onset reaction requiring urgent medical attention. Symptoms: Vomiting diarrhea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, swelling of the tongue, throat, face.
Causes and Risk Factors of Mango Allergy
A mango allergy can be confused with urushiol allergy. A mango allergy occurs after eating or ingesting mango. An uroshiol allergy occurs after touching mango or mango tree sap leading to mild to severe skin reactions that can mimic poison ivy reactions.
- Uroshiol Oil: Found in the sap, skin, stems, and leaves of mangoes, urushiol can trigger reactions upon contact. Rash occurrences are more common with contact with the plant than consumption of the fruit.
- Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS): Mango mouth, a manifestation of OAS, results from proteins in mango plant pollen. This syndrome, also known as pollen food allergy syndrome, often affects the lips and mouth.
Treatment Strategies for Mango Allergy
Prevention is the best strategy for those with an allergy to mangoes. Steer clear of mangos and mango related foods, checking ingredients of dishes that might be prepared with mangoes. Always check labels of sauces that may contain hidden mango ingredients. Additionally, avoiding contact with mango peels can effectively prevent rashes. If you are exposed to mango peels and develop a rash, topical treatments can be used for minor reactions or oral allergy syndrome. Over the counter antihistamines like Zyrtec may also be helpful. For severe rashes, call your doctor. They may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or oral steroid. If you’re at risk for anaphylaxis, always keep an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency use. If your skin has been exposed to urushiol or urushiol oil, gently clean affected areas with rubbing alcohol, poison oak or poison ivy cleansers, dish or laundry soap, or rinse with cold water.
Summary and Key Considerations
Mango allergies can trigger a range of reactions, from rashes to severe anaphylaxis. Understanding the source of the allergy, potential cross-reactivities, and proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial for effectively managing your mango allergy. If you are unsure about whether you have a mango allergy or any related foods, consult your allergist for testing and guidance. As we conclude this post, the journey doesn’t end here. It’s a continuous effort to empower ourselves with knowledge about mango allergies and their related cousins that could also pose potential health risks. Fortunately for us, we’ve confirmed that Lily isn’t allergic to the mango-related material in latex and many of the related cross-reactive foods. For now, Lily continues to enjoy bananas in her morning smoothies, a honey crisp apple for lunch (almost daily), and an occasional avocado on her morning toast!
We hope this information is helpful to you as it was for us! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Posts from My Fearless Foodie on Food Allergies
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- Why Are So Many Kids Allergic to Peanuts?
- Food Allergies and Cross Contamination at Home
- Understanding Shellfish Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment
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Hello! I'm Pat, and I'm thrilled you've visited our site! Here we honor the many kids facing food allergies fearlessly. Alongside my foodie teen, Lily, who deals with multiple food allergies, we share our exciting food discoveries from travels and everyday life. Join us as we navigate life with food allergies, providing resources and promoting safe dining options. Let's inspire a new generation to make informed choices for our health, well-being, and communities, while having fun along the way!
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