What to Use for Allergy from Mangoes

Mango allergies are caused by a substance called urushiol. Because mangoes and poison ivy share this common substance, the symptoms are the same--usually a severe rash at the contact site. In the case of mangoes, this rash will usually appear around the mouth. The good news is that even if you have an allergy to mango, you can still eat the fruit since the urushiol is found in the sap on the skin of the fruit. Making sure the skin of the mango is clean is the first step in preventing the allergy.

Allergy Management

• Keeping in mind that the skin of the fruit is the part where the urushiol is found, from which the allergy stems. Do not eat the skin of a mango and avoid scraping off the flesh of the fruit from the skin. Leave a small amount of the flesh attached to the skin so that you do not run the risk of eating it. If your allergy is mild, washing the skin of the mango with soap and water is a good idea. Do this before handling the fruit with your bare hands..

Treatment of the Allergy Symptoms

• If you have discovered that you have developed a mango allergy, the rash will most likely appear 12 to 24 hours after contact. When it does appear, it will likely form around the mouth and may itch and blister. Do not use Benadryl as this can irritate the condition and make it worse. Instead, it is best to use an over-the-counter cortisone cream that can be purchased at local drug stores. If the symptoms do not get better, or appear to get worse, visit your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe a potent steroid cream or cortisone pills to treat the rash.