Mangos can cause an allergic reaction in some people, although it is fairly uncommon. Most allergic reactions
to mangos are skin rashes, which usually results in response to touching the mango peel. According to the
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the rind of the mango fruit and the sap from the mango
tree contain urushiol, an oily, organic allergenic chemical that is also found in poison ivy, poison oak, and
poison sumac. 12 This makes sense considering that mangos are in the same botanical family as poison
ivy and poison oak called Anacardiaceae. 13-14 Contact with urushiol by touching mango tree
leaves, bark, or the skin of mango fruit may cause allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy, blistering skin
condition.
The good news is that your days ahead may not be entirely mango-less. Although some individuals can have
allergies to the mango flesh, the mango's skin is most often the culprit. The most commonly consumed part of the
mango fruit (the pulp or flesh) does not contain urushiol. You can attempt to avoid coming in
contact with urushiol by having someone else cut the fruit or by wearing thick non-latex gloves when preparing
and slicing the mango.
Additionally, although labeled with a low/undetermined degree of association, some people who report
sensitivity to latex may have adverse reactions to mango skin. Latex is a milky fluid that secretes from rubber
trees, or Hevea brasiliensis, when the plant is cut. It is used to make medical supplies, gloves,
rubber bands, balloons, and toys. 15 According to the American Latex Association, some of the same
proteins from latex are also found in fruits, which may cause the allergic reactions in sensitive
individuals. 16
For medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider.