The Details Regarding Contact Dermatitis Due to Mangos

Contact dermatitis from plants commonly developed through contact with poison ivy and poison oak. However, there are also people that develop contact dermatitis due to mangos. The instance of contact dermatitis due to mangos can be blamed to the chemical content called urushiol. This ingredient is found in the oil of mango sap. People who are found to be allergic to poison ivy and poison oaks usually react upon contact with the said chemical ingredient. The most common result of contact dermatitis due to mangos is an itchy skin condition or the allergic contact dermatitis.

Those that develop contact dermatitis due to mangos are only allergic to the sap. Additionally, the disease can be acquired through contact with the mango tree's leaves, bark or stems, or the skin of the fruit. Contact dermatitis due to mangos results in itching, redness, blisters and some people can develop hives. The reaction is not immediate and often happens in twelve to twenty-four hours after contact. If contact dermatitis due to mangos is left untreated, the condition can extend to one to three weeks duration.

Contact dermatitis due to mangos can also be classified as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Urushiol is in the form of oil and is usually used as lacquer in Japan. Urushiol in mangos is only found on the peel and other parts of the tree but not on the juice.

Dealing with Contact Dermatitis Due to Mangos

Contact dermatitis due to mangos can be dealt with by washing the exposed area with a dish detergent. You must also avoid contact with the sap of the mango tree. It is not advisable to climb the tree, pick the fruits yourself or even hold the branches since these parts may contain the allergen. Let someone handle the peeling of mangos for you but you can still peel the mango yourself by wearing disposable plastic gloves. It has been suspected that dish detergents can wash the allergy-causing oil in the sap better than regular soaps. If you develop contact dermatitis due to mangos, you are not advised to use bendryl cream. This has the possibility of worsening the condition. There are over-the-counter products that can treat contact dermatitis due to mangos such as the cortisone cream. You can also administer oral aspirin or antihistamines to provide relief from the itch and irritation.

The disease normally resolves itself after fourteen days without treatment. It is not advisable to scratch the affected area since this may result to secondary infection. The infection can be caused by the staphylococcal and streptococcal species.