Mangoes and Induced Contact Dermatitis

The mango, a juicy delicious fruit, often referred to as the "The King of Fruits" is healthy. Mangoes nutrients include vitamins A, C, and E, Potassium, Beta Carotene. It is high in fiber, an average size mango can contain up to 40% of our daily fiber needs. Did I mention that mangoes are low in calories, fat and sodium.

Mangoes are rich in anti-oxidants, contain minerals, and have enzymes that help digestion. These enzymes are said to have properties that can sooth the stomach.

The taste is unique, and varies depending on the type of mango and the ripeness. A ripe mango is usually sweet, and unripe mangoes are sour. Ripe and unripe mangoes can be eaten, and both are used in many ways in many different recipes.

My first experience with the delightful taste of mangoes was when a friend was making a cool treat on a hot summer day, the "mango smoothie". I had never had mangoes before and was not interested in trying something new, the fruit did not look that tempting to me, but it was hot and I was thirsty so I gave it a try. It tasted great!

Recently, I began making mango smoothie's, the first couple of times I enjoyed them, and thought this could be a good healthy drink to have more often.

Unfortunately, I am very allergic to poison sumac, and had no idea that the mango contains the same skin irritant as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.

If I had known that I would have an allergic reaction to a mango I could have saved myself a lot of discomfort. I did a little research and learned a lot about my experience with "the king of fruits" which I think is important information that others may not be aware of, and could benefit from.

If you are allergic to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac - or if you develop a rash around the mouth after eating mango, or get a rash on your hands after handling mangoes make sure it is not an allergic reaction from the fruit. The mango peel or skin contains urushiol (ooh-roo-she-all) and may cause an allergic reaction or induced contact dermatitis.

Because mangoes are urushiol-containing plants, the cut skin or peel contains enough of the oil to cause a reaction, the urushiol oil is a skin irritant. Poisonous plants have chemical agents that can enter the skin, and urushiol sticks or binds to skin. Once it binds to the skin urushiol oil is very hard to get off.

The rash is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. Although, it may spread from one area of skin to another if scratched, and then you scratch another area of your skin.

The allergic reaction, the rash, is a histamine response. Itching and swelling with reddish inflammation and tiny pimples are signs that you may be allergic to urushiol. These symptoms may be followed by blisters, that ooze a fluid, and the fluid may crust over. This fluid is not what causes the allergic reaction, and it is not how the rash is spread - the urushiol oil is the offending culprit.

It is the peel or skin of the mango that contains this oil which is the skin irritant. For more information on contact poisonous plants of the world go here.

Urushiol is potent, it can remain active on dead plants for up to five years, and it is active on anything it contacts, including work tools, shoes, clothing and all must be cleansed thoroughly to reduce the spread of it.

A special cleaning solution Tecnu, which is waterless, and was developed for other specific use, is used to remove urushiol oil from the skin, tools, clothing, and even pets.

If you are or may be allergic to poison ivy, oak or sumac consider wearing plastic gloves when handling or cutting mangoes; this may prevent any of the urushiol oil from touching your skin. Always wash your hands thoroughly with running water too.

Keep some Tecnu in your first-aid kit, you can get it at Walgreens.

Remember, not everyone is allergic to urushiol oil so go ahead and enjoy your mangoes - The King of Fruits! This information is not meant to discourage you from eating this nutritious fruit, just to educate those allergic to poison ivy, oak or sumac.

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/poison_ivy/article.htm

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Urushiol-induced_contact_dermatitis

www.poisonivyandoak.com