From the Guidelines
If you've experienced an allergic reaction while picking mangoes, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately if you're experiencing severe symptoms such as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or widespread rash, as this could be anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition 1. For mild reactions, wash the affected area with soap and water immediately, then apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream (1%) 2-3 times daily for 1-2 weeks. Take an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25-50mg every 6 hours or cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10mg daily to reduce itching. Some key points to consider:
- The allergic reaction occurs because the mango skin contains urushiol oil that can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, particularly when handling unripe mangoes or the tree sap 1.
- The fruit flesh itself is usually safe to eat if you don't have a food allergy to mangoes.
- Epinephrine administered intramuscularly is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, and it's essential to inject it promptly in the event of an anaphylactic reaction or when progression to anaphylaxis is likely and advanced care is not promptly available 1.
- Patients and caregivers must be instructed in the techniques of autoinjector use or epinephrine ampule/syringe/needle use, and proper storage of the epinephrine is crucial to prevent degradation 1.
- To prevent future reactions, wear long sleeves, gloves, and wash thoroughly after handling mangoes. It's also important to note that some individuals may be at a higher risk of severe anaphylaxis, such as those with cardiovascular disease, asthma, or older age, and additional coexisting comorbid conditions 1.
From the Research
Mango Picking Allergic Reaction
- Mango picking can cause allergic reactions, including immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions 2, 3.
- Immediate reactions can occur after ingestion of mango and may exhibit symptoms such as cough, wheezing, dyspnea, generalized itching, and abdominal discomfort 2.
- Delayed reactions can also occur, and the type of reaction may be influenced by history of atopy and geographical region 2, 3.
- Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening multisystem allergic reaction, can occur in rare cases 4, 5.
- Treatment for anaphylaxis typically involves intramuscular epinephrine, and in severe cases, intravenous epinephrine and fluid resuscitation may be necessary 4, 5.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Symptoms of mango allergy can include contact dermatitis, oral allergy syndrome, urticaria, and anaphylaxis 3, 6.
- Diagnosis can be confirmed by patch testing, and sensitization to urushiol-containing plants may increase the risk of contact dermatitis due to cross-reactivity 6.
- The sensitizing substances responsible for mango allergy are suspected to be alk(en)yl catechols and/or alk(en)yl resorcinols 6.