Mango dermatitis: Allergic contact dermatitis to Mangifera indica

Abstract

Mango Dermatitis' is the common term given to allergic contact dermatitis to the sap or skin of the fruit of Mangifera indica. Four patients presented with urticaria and eczematous rash following exposure to mangoes or the trees. Patch testing with diluted sap, crushed leaf, crushed stem and fruit skin was strongly positive.

Exacerbação da asma por hipersensibilidade imediata ao consumo de manga

“…As can be seen in Table 2, urticaria was present in eight of the twelve reported cases of delayed hypersensitivity reaction to mango, (9)(10)(11)(12)14) whereas periorbital edema was present in two. (12,14) Three of those twelve patients developed the symptoms after ingesting mango, (9,12,14) whereas the remaining nine patients developed the reaction after contact with mango skin or the bark of the mango tree.…”

“…(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) The paucity of data regarding allergic manifestations to mango prompted this description of a 46-year-old female patient with immediate hypersensitivity reaction after the ingestion of fresh mango. The patient had nasal symptoms for 4 years which were followed by wheezing dyspnea and cough for 2 years.…”

“…(12,14) Three of those twelve patients developed the symptoms after ingesting mango, (9,12,14) whereas the remaining nine patients developed the reaction after contact with mango skin or the bark of the mango tree. (10,11,13,15,16) Patch testing was performed in ten patients, (10,(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) and the result was positive in all ten. Cross-reactivity and positivity for specific IgE antibodies against mango antigen were not reported in any patient.…”

Patch Testing with Various Mango (Mangifera indica) Extracts

“…According to the description and clinical manifestation, this skin problem may be caused by type IV allergic response, rather than type I reaction. Calvert et al [6] reported four cases of mango dermatitis confirmed by patch testing to a series composed of sap (diluted in paraffin 1 in 100, 1 in 10 and neat), crushed leaf, crushed stem and fruit skin. In this report, diagnostic patch testing for mango dermatitis did not include the flesh (the juicy pulp) or the flesh immediately below the skin surface (the peel-lining).…”

Mango Breeding

“…These blemishes reduce the visual attractiveness and value of the fruit. The sap is also toxic to human skin causing skin dermatitis on contact (Calvert et al 1996). Avoiding and removing sap contamination is a major expense in many mango growing enterprises.…”