Mangoes are a beloved tropical fruit, but for many people, eating them can lead to an uncomfortable, immediate itching sensation in the mouth and throat. This localized irritation is a recognized phenomenon. Understanding both the cause and the simple steps for relief can help manage this reaction.
Immediate Steps for Relief
If you feel throat irritation, stop eating the mango immediately and remove any residual fruit from the mouth. Rinsing the mouth with plain water helps wash away irritant proteins or oils. Gargling with a mixture of warm water and salt may also soothe the irritated mucosal lining of the throat.
Consuming cool liquids or foods can help calm inflammation and provide rapid temporary relief. Drinking ice water, or sucking on ice cubes or a frozen popsicle, can constrict small blood vessels in the throat. This cooling effect may reduce swelling and the sensation of itchiness.
For persistent mild symptoms, an over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamine can be taken to block the histamine released by the body’s immune response. Throat lozenges containing numbing agents like menthol can also offer temporary relief by coating the throat and suppressing the tingling sensation. These treatments are effective for reactions limited to the mouth and throat.
Why Mango Causes Throat Irritation
The irritation experienced after eating mango stems from two distinct mechanisms: a contact reaction or allergic cross-reactivity. Mangoes belong to the Anacardiaceae plant family, which also includes poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac. The skin and sap contain trace amounts of urushiol, the same oily resin found in those poisonous plants.
Urushiol is the primary cause of contact dermatitis, which is an inflammatory rash often referred to as “mango mouth” when it affects the lips and surrounding skin. The highest concentration of urushiol is in the peel and the fruit flesh closest to the peel. Trace amounts can still trigger a reaction in highly sensitive individuals who ingest the fruit pulp. This contact reaction is a delayed hypersensitivity, meaning the rash may appear hours or even days later, but the initial exposure inside the mouth can cause immediate irritation.
A more common cause of immediate throat itching is Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also known as Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS). OAS occurs when the immune system mistakenly recognizes mango proteins as similar to certain pollen proteins, such as those from birch pollen. This cross-reactivity causes a rapid, localized allergic response, typically confined to the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Since the proteins responsible for OAS are easily broken down by saliva or stomach acid, symptoms rarely progress beyond the oral cavity.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While mild itching and tingling usually resolve quickly, escalating symptoms necessitate immediate medical attention. Any sensation of the throat tightening, which may feel like a lump or obstruction, is a serious warning sign. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing are indications of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Other severe symptoms requiring emergency care include widespread hives, facial swelling, persistent vomiting, or dizziness. These signs indicate anaphylaxis, a systemic reaction that affects multiple body systems and can progress rapidly. If you have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector for a known severe allergy, use it immediately and then call emergency services, even if symptoms appear to be improving.
Avoiding Future Reactions
Adopting specific preparation and consumption habits can significantly reduce the likelihood of a future reaction. Since urushiol is concentrated in the peel and sap, meticulous peeling is necessary, ideally wearing gloves to avoid skin contact. The fruit should be peeled thinly to remove the skin and the outermost layer of flesh. Any knife used for peeling should not be used to slice the fruit.
For individuals who suspect their reaction is due to OAS, consuming mango in a cooked or processed form is a possible solution. Heat can denature the heat-sensitive proteins responsible for cross-reactivity, rendering them harmless to the immune system. Eating cooked mangoes, such as in chutneys or baked goods, may be tolerated without triggering oral symptoms. If reactions are consistently severe or involve symptoms beyond the mouth, complete avoidance of mangoes is the safest course of action.