Yes, you can be allergic to mango. Mango allergies can manifest in different ways, ranging from mild to severe.
Types of Mango Allergy
Mango allergies are typically classified into two types of hypersensitivity reactions:
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Type I Hypersensitivity: This involves an immediate allergic reaction, often triggered by specific proteins in mangoes. Symptoms can include:
- Erythema (redness of the skin)
- Hives (urticaria)
- Angioedema (swelling, particularly of the face, lips, and throat)
- Wheezing (difficulty breathing)
- Oral Allergy Syndrome (itching or tingling in the mouth after eating mango)
- In severe cases, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) may occur.
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Type IV Hypersensitivity: This involves a delayed reaction, usually contact dermatitis, caused by urushiol, a chemical also found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Contact with the mango skin, sap, or even the fruit itself can trigger this reaction in sensitive individuals.
Cross-Reactivity
Individuals allergic to poison ivy, oak, or sumac are more likely to be allergic to mangoes due to the presence of urushiol. This is called cross-reactivity.
Symptoms of Mango Allergy
The symptoms of a mango allergy can vary from person to person and depend on the type of allergy.
- Immediate allergic reaction (Type I): Symptoms can appear within minutes to a few hours after eating or touching mangoes.
- Contact dermatitis (Type IV): Symptoms, such as a rash, itching, and blistering, may appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure to mango.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you have a mango allergy, consult an allergist. They can perform skin prick tests or blood tests to confirm the allergy. Treatment typically involves avoiding mangoes and managing symptoms with antihistamines or topical corticosteroids. In cases of anaphylaxis, an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) is required.
