Spring Means Mangoes -- and Mango-Related Allergies It's spring time and mangos are everywhere here in Florida. Eating a mango is one of life's simple, delicious pleasures, but many people are unaware that the peel of the mango contains "urushiol" (you-ROO-shee-all), the chemical in poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak that causes hives and rashes.
Livestrong.com says that approximately 85 percent of people are allergic to urushiol and will develop a rash that can last up to two weeks.
People who are sensitive to poison ivy should be very careful not to eat the mango fruit peel where the urushiol is located. The mango fruit itself has no urushiol and is safe to eat without getting any allergic reactions.
But if you eat a sliced up mango with the peel still on it, like eating a watermelon with the rind on it, and try to bite every bit of fruit up to the peel, chances are you will pick up a significant amount of urushiol on your lips, tongue and face.
The problem is that the rash may take several hours to develop and you may not connect the cause of the rash to eating a mango. Check this link for mango allergy photos.
According to Instah.com "Ways to get Health," the mango allergy symptoms are:
To treat mango allergy use antihistamines like Benadryl or Zyrtec. To save money ask your pharmacist for the generic. For the hives and blisters on your face try Calamine Lotion or a topical steroid, again ask your pharmacist.
When buying mangos, get a plastic fruit bag and put it over your hand like a glove to handle the mangos. Handling mangos with bare hands and then scratching your nose or lips can transfer the urushiol from your hands, and by the time you get home you may see a rash on your face and wonder what is going on.
To safely prepare a mango, wash it first then peel the skin with one knife (or use a vegetable peeler) and then wash your hands. Use another knife to slice up the fruit to avoid contamination from the first knife. Treat the peel like a toxin (which it is) and dispose of it properly.
Be cautious of cooking sites which show you how to peel a mango. Startcooking.com shows a person cutting through the peel of the mango into the fruit. This obviously transfers the urushiol from the peel right into the fruit! It is best to always peel the skin off first.
Many parents often give their babies mangos since the fruit is mild and sweet. But, unless the parent is especially careful in peeling and preparing the mango, it is best to avoid giving mangos to babies and youngsters since their immune system is still developing, and any urushiol that makes it into a baby's body can cause severe allergies. ( yahoo.com )
Livestrong.com says that approximately 85 percent of people are allergic to urushiol and will develop a rash that can last up to two weeks.
People who are sensitive to poison ivy should be very careful not to eat the mango fruit peel where the urushiol is located. The mango fruit itself has no urushiol and is safe to eat without getting any allergic reactions.
But if you eat a sliced up mango with the peel still on it, like eating a watermelon with the rind on it, and try to bite every bit of fruit up to the peel, chances are you will pick up a significant amount of urushiol on your lips, tongue and face.
The problem is that the rash may take several hours to develop and you may not connect the cause of the rash to eating a mango. Check this link for mango allergy photos.
According to Instah.com "Ways to get Health," the mango allergy symptoms are:
- The area around the mouth tends to turn red
- There is a breakout of hives and rashes all over the body, especially in the areas where there has been a contact.
- Runny nose
- Fever and general malaise
- Tightness in chest, congestion and difficulty in breathing
To treat mango allergy use antihistamines like Benadryl or Zyrtec. To save money ask your pharmacist for the generic. For the hives and blisters on your face try Calamine Lotion or a topical steroid, again ask your pharmacist.
When buying mangos, get a plastic fruit bag and put it over your hand like a glove to handle the mangos. Handling mangos with bare hands and then scratching your nose or lips can transfer the urushiol from your hands, and by the time you get home you may see a rash on your face and wonder what is going on.
To safely prepare a mango, wash it first then peel the skin with one knife (or use a vegetable peeler) and then wash your hands. Use another knife to slice up the fruit to avoid contamination from the first knife. Treat the peel like a toxin (which it is) and dispose of it properly.
Be cautious of cooking sites which show you how to peel a mango. Startcooking.com shows a person cutting through the peel of the mango into the fruit. This obviously transfers the urushiol from the peel right into the fruit! It is best to always peel the skin off first.
Many parents often give their babies mangos since the fruit is mild and sweet. But, unless the parent is especially careful in peeling and preparing the mango, it is best to avoid giving mangos to babies and youngsters since their immune system is still developing, and any urushiol that makes it into a baby's body can cause severe allergies. ( yahoo.com )
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