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Mango Allergy: What Is It and How To Manage It.

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Updated on April 9, 2024

Living with a mango allergy can feel like quite the kerfuffle, making it all the more bewildering when other foods play silly beggars and start setting off symptoms, too. With first-hand experience of this perplexing predicament, we’ve delved into the depths of science to unravel these hypersensitivity reactions.

This blog post is set to offer you an in-depth understanding of which foods are linked to mango allergies, alongside handy hints on how to navigate your diet effectively. So, without further ado, let’s embark on this enlightening journey together!

Key Takeaways

  • Mango allergy can cause various symptoms, including itching, hives, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
  • Cross-reactivity can occur between mango and other foods such as bananas, kiwis, avocados, pistachios, and cashews.
  • Individuals with a latex allergy may also experience cross-reactivity with mangoes due to shared allergenic proteins.
  • Treatment options for managing mango allergies include antihistamines, corticosteroids for skin rashes or eczema, immunotherapy (experimental), and carrying an epinephrine auto-injector for severe reactions.

What is a Mango Allergy?

A mango allergy is an extremely rare immune reaction to proteins found in mangoes, leading to allergic symptoms.

mango allergy

Signs and Symptoms

We want to tell you about the signs and symptoms of a mango allergy. Eating a mango could cause your mouth to itch. You may also get hives on your skin. Some people might vomit after eating this fruit. It can even make it hard for some of us to breathe.

Immediate-Type Allergy

If you once had a nasty reaction after eating a mango. It’s known as an immediate-type allergy, which occurs within minutes of exposure to the allergen. Your mouth started to itch, and your skin broke out in a rash. Some people also experience swelling, have trouble breathing or suffer from tummy problems with this type of mango allergy.

This is not pleasant at all and can even become dangerous. Severe reactions, called anaphylaxis, need quick treatment with medicine like antihistamines or epinephrine. If you ever feel your throat tightening or have severe belly pain after munching on a mango, seek medical help right away!

Delayed-Type Allergy

If you eat mangoes but your mouth feels funny after a while. There’s a tingling or burning feeling on your lips, tongue, or even deep in your throat. This is what you call a delayed-type allergy related to mango.

It can happen hours or even days after eating the fruit. But that’s not all. Look out for swelling — it can be part of this, too. Some people find their skin acts up as well when they touch mangoes because of contact dermatitis. It’s worth noting here that this type of reaction against mangoes is rare and way less common than the immediate reaction.

See, our bodies react in different ways and sometimes, an allergic reaction to mango is one of them.

Causes and Cross-Reactivity

Cross-reactivity occurs when proteins in one food are similar to proteins in another, causing the immune system to mistakenly react. Some foods that cross-react with mango include bananas, kiwis, and avocado. Additionally, individuals with a latex allergy may also experience cross-reactivity with mango due to shared allergenic proteins.

Mango allergy

Cross-Reactive Foods Related to Mango

We want to share something new with you. Food lovers like us need to know about cross-reactive foods. Cross-reactivity is when our body thinks one food is another because they have similar allergens.

  1. Pistachios
  2. Cashews
  3. Peaches
  4. Apples
  5. Bananas
  6. Pears
  7. Celery
  8. Carrots
  9. Tomatoes
  10. Papayas

Latex Cross-Reactivity

Latex can cause bad reactions in some people. This is called latex sensitivity. It’s not just the touch of latex that can lead to problems but also eating certain foods. If you have a mango allergy, you might also have this issue with latex.

Foods like celery, carrots and pistachio nuts may set off your body, too. They act much like mangoes do in your system because they share something called “antigens.” These are like identifiers that tell your immune system to fight back, leading to an allergic reaction.

So, if you’re sensitive to one of these foods or latex itself, it’s best to steer clear of them all.

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoVLWxHt5RQ

Diagnosis and Treatment

To diagnose a mango allergy, medical professionals may perform skin prick tests or blood tests. Treatment options for mango allergies include avoiding contact with the fruit and any related foods, taking antihistamines to relieve symptoms, and carrying an epinephrine auto-injector in case of severe allergic reactions.

How a Mango Allergy is Diagnosed

Doctors use skin tests to find out if you have a mango allergy. They inject a tiny bit of mango extract under your skin and wait for some time. If your skin turns red or itchy, you might be allergic to mangoes.

Another way is the blood test. The doctor takes some blood from you. Next, they detect certain substances in your blood. If high, it means you are likely allergic to this fruit.

These tests can tell us about both types of allergies – immediate and delayed ones. Immediate hypersensitivity shows signs like hives right away, whereas delayed-type allergy could lead to rashes after a while.

Treatment Options

Managing a mango allergy is completely doable, as there are numerous effective treatment options available. Depending on the type and extent of your reactions, doctors might suggest different treatments.

  1. Antihistamines: These over-the-counter drugs are often the first line of defence for immediate-type reactions to mango allergy. They can help to alleviate symptoms like itchy eyes, hives, and hay fever.
  2. Corticosteroids: If you’re dealing with an allergic skin rash or eczema due to a mango allergy, topical corticosteroids may be prescribed by medical professionals.
  3. Immunotherapy: This approach works by gradually desensitising your immune system to the allergens that trigger your allergies. However, immunotherapy for food allergies is still in its experimental stages.
  4. Epinephrine: In cases of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis due to mango or other foods, an epinephrine auto-injector should always be close at hand for immediate use.

Managing Mango Allergy

To manage a mango allergy, it is important to avoid consuming foods that may cross-react with mango, such as cashews and pistachios. Additionally, home remedies like rinsing the mouth with salt water can help alleviate symptoms of oral allergy syndrome.

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G60tMIILHlM

Foods to Avoid

If you have a mango allergy, it’s important to know which foods to avoid. See the previous section on cross-reactivity for these kinds of foods if you’re allergic to mango.

Home Remedies

When managing a mango allergy, there are several home remedies that can alleviate symptoms and provide relief. These remedies include:

  1. Applying a cold compress: Placing a cold, damp cloth on the affected area helps soothe skin irritation caused by a mango allergy.
  2. Using calamine lotion: Applying calamine lotion to the skin can help reduce itching and inflammation associated with allergic reactions.
  3. Taking antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines can be taken to relieve symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
  4. Using aloe vera: It can be applied topically to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin caused by a mango allergy.
  5. Avoiding triggers: To prevent allergic reactions, it is important to avoid contact with mangoes and any other fruits or foods that may cross-react with mangoes. Mangoes also remain allergenic even after heating, so avoid putting yourself at risk if you are allergic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mango allergy can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. It is important for individuals with this allergy to avoid mango and related foods, as well as be aware of cross-reactivity with other fruits and pollen. By reading food labels and taking precautions, people can manage their mango allergy and enjoy a safe eating experience.

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