Mango Allergy Overview

Table of Contents
View All
Table of Contents

A mango allergy is uncommon and doesn't always fit what you may assume of a food allergy. Mangoes are a fruit that can cause an allergic reaction, often because of oral allergy syndrome (OAS), or "mango mouth," a cross-reaction between pollens and fruits that the body recognizes as being the same.

Some people who are allergic to mango develop a rash after touching a mango peel but are actually able to eat the fruit safely. Others experience a serious reaction to any contact. This can include hives, swelling, or even a life-threatening, whole-body reaction called anaphylaxis.

This article explains the causes and symptoms of mango allergies in adults and babies. It also explores how mango allergies are diagnosed and the treatment options available.

Types of Allergic Reactions to Mango
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

What Are Symptoms of a Mango Allergy?

There are two types of allergic reactions to mangoes:

  • A delayed reaction that can occur days after contact with mango. It often includes a rash in and around the mouth (often contact dermatitis) that may be referred to as mango mouth.
  • An immediate reaction that occurs within 24 hours and can ranging from mild itchiness to a severe, life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis after eating mango. Immediate reactions occur within 24 hours. However, anaphylaxis is extremely rare. Only about a dozen or so case reports have been published.

Delayed Reaction

Symptoms of a delayed reaction to mango may include:

  • Redness and flaky skin or blisters from a contact dermatitis rash
  • Itchiness from the rash
  • Swelling around the eyes

Keep in mind that it is the peel of the mango that typically triggers the rash. Many people who have a tendency to develop contact dermatitis after eating mangoes don’t experience any symptoms if the fruit is cut away from the skin before being served.

What Does Mango Mouth Look Like?

Mango mouth describes a rash that appears in and around the mouth after eating mangoes. It occurs because of an immune system overreaction. Your body thinks that the substance is dangerous and tries to protect you from it.

A skin rash from mango looks like a poison oak rash that occurs after eating the fruit. It looks like small, itchy blisters that can ooze and can last for several days.

You also may experience pain, numbness, and tingling with mango mouth. In severe cases, the allergic reaction can cause symptoms of shortness of breath or a tightening of the airway that requires immediate medical attention.

Immediate Reaction

Symptoms of an immediate allergic reaction after eating mango can range from mild to severe and may include:

  • Itchiness, tingling, and/or swelling of the mouth, lips, throat, and/or tongue.
  • Itchiness, tingling, and/or swelling of the face
  • Swelling or tightening of the throat
  • Wheezing
  • Hives

Anaphylaxis

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction may come on suddenly and can progress rapidly. It's important to seek urgent medical care if you have any signs of anaphylaxis after consuming a mango.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience the following signs of a severe reaction after eating a mango:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Hives
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness
  • Swelling of the tongue, throat, or face

What Are Mango Allergy Symptoms in Babies?

Toddler with food allergy rash around mouth

Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images

Mango mouth symptoms are similar in babies and adults. Allergic reactions can progress from uncomfortable to life-threatening rapidly. And for some people, just trace amounts of an allergen can trigger a reaction.

That said, food allergy is more common in babies than it is in adults. It is also more likely to become severe. One reason for this is that babies have more sensitive skin than adults, so they are more likely to develop contact dermatitis after touching something they are sensitive to.

Any signs of an allergic reaction in a baby should be treated seriously. If you suspect that your baby is having an allergic reaction:

  • Stop feeding them immediately.
  • Call 911 or go to the hospital right away.

An estimated 8% of schoolchildren in the United States have some type of food allergy. The most serious allergic reactions are caused by milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Fruit allergies are extremely rare in childhood.

What Causes a Mango Allergy?

Urushiol is an oil that can be found in the sap, skin, stems, and leaves of mangoes. In those who are allergic, it can cause a reaction upon contact.

A mango-induced rash more commonly occurs after coming in contact with the plant rather than eating the fruit simply because of where the oil is located.

It is possible to have a reaction to fruit in childhood, but you can also become allergic to fruit all of a sudden later in life. This is uncommon, but more likely if you have a family history of allergies.

What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)?

With mango mouth, as well as other allergic reactions that only affect the lips and mouth, it's likely there may be an oral allergy syndrome (OAS) at work. This is a response to proteins in pollen from mango plants. It's sometimes referred to as pollen food allergy syndrome.

An OAS reaction usually gets better without treatment—often in just a few minutes. For some people, the allergic reaction can be avoided if they eat the food in a certain way that changes the trigger proteins (cooked rather than raw, for example). Others may experience the allergy either way.

Cross-Reactivity

There are more than 1,000 varieties of mangos. Most varieties have yellow-orange flesh you can eat and a peel that's green or red. Cross-reactive allergies may occur with mango and other plants in its Anacardiaceae plant family.

If you are allergic to plants in this group, you may also have a reaction to mangoes—and vice versa. For example, poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac all contain urushiol.There also are similarities with mugwort or birch pollen.

People with a mango allergy may have a cross-reactivity with other fruits, vegetables, or nuts. Cross reactivity varies per person, but may include one or more of the following:

  • Cashew
  • Pistachio
  • Chestnut
  • Peanut
  • Peach
  • Pear
  • Apple
  • Papaya
  • Celery
  • Carrot
  • Avocado
  • Banana
  • Kiwi
  • Tomato
  • Passion fruit

Cross reactivity may also occur with certain herbs or spices such as:

latex allergy can also cause OAS symptoms when eating a mango (also called latex-fruit syndrome). It's worth noting that cashew shells and the outer covering of pistachios also contain urushiol, so they can cause a reaction similar to mango.

Can I Eat Nuts if I am Allergic to Mango?

People who have had a severe allergic reaction to cashews or pistachios should avoid mangoes because there is a potential for cross-reactivity. It's possible that you can eat some nuts but genetic studies of these nuts, which also contain urushiol, show a connection.

How Is a Mango Allergy Diagnosed?

Parents are encouraged to introduce new foods to a baby one at a time so that they can monitor for signs of an allergy. Doing this eliminates the possibility that a reaction could be due to something else.

And you may be able to tell if you have a mango allergy if your reaction happens immediately. However, if there is a delayed reaction, it may not always be obvious that a rash is due to mango.

If you get a rash, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Tests used to identify the cause of an allergy may include:

  • A skin prick test, where a small amount of an allergen is pricked into the skin with a needle and you are monitored for signs of a reaction
  • A patch test, where potential allergens are applied to the skin on a patch and you are observed
  • A blood test known as an ImmunoCAP test, which detects specific antibodies to certain foods

How Is a Mango Allergy Treated?

Avoiding contact with mango peels is usually an effective way to prevent a rash. If you do get one, it is likely that it will go away on its own within a few days.

For itchiness from oral allergy syndrome or minor reactions, over-the counter antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine) may be helpful.

For more severe rashes, treatment options may include:

  • Over-the-counter anti-itch creams to reduce discomfort, such as hydrocortisone
  • A prescription-strength corticosteroid cream, which is a medication that gets applied to the skin to help with swelling and irritation
  • Steroids taken by mouth

If you're at risk of an anaphylactic reaction, your healthcare provider will give you an epinephrine auto-injector, which is a shot containing epinephrine. When epinephrine is injected, it stops an allergic reaction. However, you will still need to contact emergency services immediately for additional care.

Removing Urushiol on the Skin

Removing urushiol can limit its effects. If you know your skin has been in contact with urushiol, gently clean the affected area with rubbing alcohol or use a cleanser formulated for poison oak or poison ivy, such as Tecnu. You can also use dish or laundry soap. If you don't have immediate access to any of these, rinse the skin with cold water, ideally within a few minutes of exposure.

Summary

Mango allergies can trigger a rash or a more severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. Most people tend to be allergic to the urushiol oil in the peel of the mango.

Because of this, it's best to avoid the mango peel and the mango plant if you suspect you have this allergy. You may still be able to eat mango, as long as the peel is removed for you.

If you are unsure if you have a mango allergy, you may consider getting diagnosed by a healthcare provider. They may perform a skin test or blood test to determine if you have this particular allergy.

Treatment for mango allergies may include a topical cream or an oral steroid, but this is only for mango-induced dermatitis. If you experience a severe reaction, you may need to use an epinephrine auto-injector and then seek immediate medical treatment.

Food Allergies Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next doctor appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Doctor Discussion Guide Man

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When can you start giving mangoes to babies?

    You can start to gradually introduce your baby to solid foods like mangoes when they are around 6 months old.

  • How long does it take for a mango allergy to go away?

    The majority of babies outgrow their food allergy by the time they are teenagers.

  • What is a delayed allergic reaction to mango?

    Sometimes, a reaction to mangos does not appear for up to seven days after a person is exposed to the fruit. This is called a delayed (type IV) hypersensitivity reaction, often appearing as a skin rash on the lips and skin around the mouth.

14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Ukleja-Sokołowska N, Gawrońska-Ukleja E, Lis K, Żbikowska-Gotz M, Sokołowski Ł, Bartuzi Z. Anaphylactic reaction in patient allergic to mangoAllergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14:78. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0294-1

  2. Camelia Berghhea E, Craiu M, Ali S, Loredana Corcea S, Silvia Bumbacea R. Contact allergy induced by mango (mangifera indica): A relevant topic?. Medicina. 2021 Nov;57(11):1-11. doi:10.3390/medicina57111240

  3. Sareen R, Shah A. Hypersensitivity manifestations to the fruit mangoAsia Pac Allergy. 2011 Apr;1(1):43-49. doi:10.5415/apallergy.2011.1.1.43

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food allergies.

  5. Allergy & Asthma Network. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

  6. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen fruit syndrome (PFS).

  7. Lauricella M, Emanuele S, Calvaruso G, Giuliano M, D’Anneo A. Multifaceted health benefits of Mangifera indica l. (mango): the inestimable value of orchards recently planted in Sicilian rural areasNutrients. 2017;9(5). doi:10.3390/nu9050525

  8. Yoo MJ, Carius BM. Mango Dermatitis After Urushiol SensitizationClin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2019;3(4):361-363. Published 2019 Sep 30. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2019.6.43196

  9. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Cross reactivity between papaya, mango, and cashew.

  10. Wang P, Luo Y, Huang J, Gao S, Zhu G, Dang Z, et al. The genome evolution and domestication of tropical fruit mango. Genome Biol. 2020 Mar 6;21(1):60. doi:10.1186/s13059-020-01959-8. 

  11. Kashyap RR, Kashyap RS. Oral allergy syndrome: an update for stomatologistsJournal of Allergy. 2015;2015:1-6. doi:10.1155/2015/543928

  12. American Academy of Dermatology. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: What should I do if I touch a plant?

  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When, what, and how to introduce solid foods.

  14. Iweala OI, Choudhary SK, Commins SP. Food AllergyCurr Gastroenterol Rep. 2018 Apr;20(5):17. doi:10.1007/s11894-018-0624-y

By Daniel More, MD
Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and formerly practiced at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California.