Coping with Mint allergy/sensitivity

[tmh359]

Am I the only one who reacts badly to anything mint?  Cause I'm sure feeling lonely...

It wouldn't be so bad, except... Mint is EVERYWHERE!   I have to order expensive toothpaste because the normal stuff stings like crazy and makes me nauseous.  Cherry tastes like medicine.  And I can only tollerate cinnamon in very small doses (like what's mixed in the sugar for cinnamon toast small).  I have yet to discover a brand of mouthwash that does not contain mint in some form or other - or else the cinnamon kind makes first burns then makes my mouth go numb.  Ditto for breath mint alternatives.  (I can't even handle a Tic-Tac in my mouth for more than a few seconds, much less chew on it or swallow it.)

Face clensers with menthol stung, and also left my face feeling greasy.  But not in the haven't washed my face often enough way.

I don't know how much money I've wasted on cough drops/throat lozenges, chapstick, lotions, etc, only to discover after application that, you got, there is mint of some sort in it.  

And sadly, avoidance seems to have only made reactions worse.  Just the smell of other people's mints (breath mints, candy mints, peppermint sticks) makes me feel ill.  And the first time I consumed any in eight years, it was an accident, had half of a mint Brussells cookie, and a stomach ache for a good twenty minutes.

Anyone else here that *look* when you tell others you and mint don't get along?  Care to share your symptoms?  Your coping/mint alternatives?  

Tiffany

[jessicaMOM]

Hello My son goes into anaphalactic shock after consuming some mint this is still new to us and he is terified to consume anything mint Halloween is a nightmare i have to sift threw all his candy with a fine tooth comb he has no trouble with toothpaste though. we have just been avoiding mint alltogether.

Jessica

[jessicaMOM]

as for chapstick try Aveno's olive oil one its quite good and as far as i know has no mint in it avoid Burts bees it has plenty mint
Jessica

[nat246]

So nice to hear someone else is allergic to mint - thought it was just me.  What toothpaste have you found?  I have had a couple and then they stop making them and I am fed up.
I avoid all other kinds of mint in anything.

[Mossy97]

I am also allergic to mint, menthol, peppermint and spearmint.  It's a pain, it used to just cause my lips to swell but it can give me a rash and make me break out.  The toothpaste I use is Toms of Maine Silly Strawberry, it's the kids brand but it words well, they also make a lemon/lime mouthwash and I don't have a problem with it.

[Brattitude]

I'm so happy to know I'm not alone in my mint/menthol crisis. I am at a loss for advice though, I use the normal toothpaste and just avoid other mint products as best I can. I can ingest small amounts usually an be ok (like mint chocolate), but I can't have gum or breath mints without a sneezing fit and a stomach ache.

[chizzle]

I don't have an allergy to mint, but as for the problems w/ dental products, try contacting your dentist office.  A lot of times, they carry in office special toothpastes, mints, gum & mouthwashes in multiple flavors, or they can order them for you.

[tmh359]

Yea!  I'm alone!

Toothpaste I use is Desert Essence - usually the Nautral Tea Tree Oil with ginger.  Have to order it on line though, as its next to impossible to find.  

[sanchin]

i started to react to mint a few years  ago(i had chewed mint gum for years). my first reaction was to a tooth pick from a chinese restaurant my lips swelled like a balloon where the toothpick was. you would not believe how many spices are related to mint,which i have not reacted to yet, such things like oregano go figure. i was using toothpaste with no mint,or so i thought, until my lips puffed up a bit. i keep benadryl in the house and have epi pens one at work an done at home but they only last like a year then you have to get new ones. i tried cinnamon tooth paste until recently as i react to that now been using baking soda but i like these other alternative toothpastes that you guys listed thanks. people don't think it is that hard to avoid mint but it is.

[Flowers_in_April]

Thank goodness I am not alone.  I thought it was mental.  My throat burns if someone chews spearmint gum.  Even someone applying spearmint lip balm triggers a reaction. I can't go anywhere without ending up with a burning throat, post-nasal back drip, headache, and general malaise. There is a mint addiction out here! Now I found more people chewing gum or eating candy with higher concentrations of mint.  I can't go anywhere, yes anywhere at all.  I have had to rush out of the grocery store or even leave movie theaters because of this.  I only enjoy open areas like the park.  

[hashroe]

i have been allergic to mint for 24 years, it iis very hard to deal with. it burns my skin and if i eat it i blow up like a blow fish and then go into anaphalactic Shock. If someone is eating mint around me, i start to get dizzy, and my skin goes red and i feel very sick.

it is very uncommon to be allergic to mint and alot of people don't believe you can be. but there are a few people out there.

good luck to you all

[johnlessmint]

I am a 48 year old Male on November 11, 2008 and I never before had a mnt or salicitate problem, until now I belive anyway.  I went to the allergist because I indicated that the last two times I had mint I had a swollen lip and the secodn time was painful as my lower lip swelled and hardened.  I had to take benadryl both times.  Then last night I used sesodyne toothpaste tarter controlled with whitener.  My upper lip swelled a bit and I had to rinse immediately and go to bed in stress.  I woke up fine so it was only a small amount.

Then the other day the allergist told me she thought it was a nut allergy but I didnot buy it.  I said mint or sallicitate and she never had a patient for that.  I am scheduled to be tested July 29, 2008 for everything.

She indicated the tomato sauce I ate might have doen it as I had prego one night and home made the next.  Their were no nut ingredient at all in teh sauces and both times that evening I had mint gum or candy.  Three hours later swollen lip.

I was reading on web md what to stay away form and the list is very long.  I never had a fruit problem with such fruits as peaches and pears and berries except strawberries and grapefruit.  I have to stay away form them.

I love cinnnamin so I bought cinnamin toothpaste and mouth wash and removed the mint form the shower.

The final inidciation of mint problems is my sun tan lotion contains salicitate the main ingredient that the mint family is in.  My back of the legs were very ichy and irritated from the lotion, dry skin and the alow with menthol I put on afterwards.  

Does this sound like a mint or salicitate allergy?

[tmh359]

Menthol is also a key thing with the mint family.  If you're having mint issues, avoid anything with menthol, where you can.

[sawoodhick]

Wow! I didn't realize there was this many people with mint allergies. I have had a mint allergy for 28 years now and its getting worse as I get older (first it was the upset stomach, now its the throat swelling shut). It is getting increasingly harder to find toothpaste without some form of mint in it. My problem is that I don't know if it is only synthetic mint that I am allergic too or real mint as well. I can eat bee balm and basil without any problem, but I cannot even kiss my boyfriend after he brushes his teeth or my throat swells shut. Even the smell of mint gum makes me sick to my stomach.

[DCinBC]

I am a 50 male and I am also allergic to Mint.  Last year I told my doctor that I had trouble (short of breath) singing in church and at my singing lessons (I always did chew gum before church and before my lessons).  The problem would come and go. The doctor offered me an inhalant, which I refused.  Then I got tested for asthma (negative) and for allergies and nothing helped.  I did not want medications.  My wife noticed that every time I started chewing gum I would sneeze.  She suggested I stop chewing mint gum for a while.  I am a different person now.  I went back to the allergist and asked to be tested for mint and we got a positive.  The doctor’s comment was “first time in five years that I get a positive to mint.”  Well, he may not ever found another case of mint allergy because it is not in his “default” test repertoire, and people don’t even suspect it to request it.  Now I chew non-mint gum.  My favorite, Lime Blast.  When I go to the basement to play my guitar and sing, once in a while my children come down and offer me mint gum… I wonder why?

DC in BC

[HMStocker]

OK I'm finding that I'm not completely crazy! You all don't know how much comfort I've gotten from these posts!

My son (at the time 5 years of age) would periodically get itchy. It would start with his hands and feet or his face. Pretty soon the kid is covered in hives--it's so sad and he's completely miserable. Knowing what I know about allergies, I was sure it was something dietary. We would have to give him Benadryl and the itching would subside. This has happened maybe three times before we made connections. Each time it happened, we noticed he'd had a Halls cough drop. Bingo! No more of those, no more itching. Then one day he had a piece of gum. I began reading ingredients and the only connection I could make was either the "flavoring" or the mint/menthol connection. I thought it was the flavoring because his favorite icecream is mint chocolate chip and he eats it with impunity.

Today, I gave him a heavenly piece of my mint filled dark chocolate and guess what?? He got red and itchy--hives all over his face, cheeks etc. Back to the Benadryl and a complete and total ban of all things mint going into my baby's body.

The positive in all of this is that he recognizes that it's bad for him and makes him miserable, so he's willing to stay away from those things. Guess he's going to have to find another favorite icecream!

Cheers,
Heather

[aprasax7695]

I had a cough drop in my mouth for bit of scartchy and itch throat when going to bed last night. Then I fell asleep with the cough drop in my mouth.

This morning, when I woke up, I had this painful, itchy. burning throat.
I thought I was going to have a cold, but there was no fever or any kinds of cold symtomps.

It is painful and my throat and even my heart is burning together. Is because of the menthol that the cough drop has or what...?

Thanks,

[leo421]

The worst are mint cakes. They make me so sick. I can't stand the insensitive people I work with who always seem to get a mint ice cream cake for every occassion! Whatever happened to plain old vanilla????

[lolo505]

I'm 22 and have been allergic to mint for about 4 years. Whenever I consume or am in close contact with peppermint, spearmint, menthol, etc. my throat and ears burn and feel a little nauseous. I've never met anyone else with this allergy so i'm quite relieved to know there are others out there!

I use tom's of maine fennel toothpaste. it tastes like black licorice! tom's also has cinnamon, but that still tastes minty to me, as well as strawberry, which is too sweet for me. It's only like 5 or 6 bucks and you can buy it at trader joe's. even if i wasn't allergic to mint i would use this toothpaste-it's amazing! there are a ton of mint products out there but i always check the ingredients of chapstick, lotions and soap to make sure they are mint-free. i have to be careful with gum, too. most fruit-flavored  gum still has a bit of mint in it that i react to. the only ones i can have are juicy fruit and bubblelicious!

[lost_help]

both me and my cousin have been allergic to mint for years now. i got me first reaction when i was six, and it has just gotten worse over the years. i tell my dentist about my allergy every time i go in. he has recommended paste only toothpastes that he offers. it doesn't taste all that great, but i have yet to get a reaction to it. as for sore throats, when i get them i suck on a dum dum lollypop and the soreness goes away for a while, and some times all together. i haven't yet though found a mouth wash that i don't react to. if any one knows any please post.

[DCinBC]

Try "Prevention"  Mouthwash

www.preventionlabs.com

[meeps]

So nice to hear that I am not the only one.  3 years ago during pregnancy I ate a peach (not a new food to me) and my face turned red and itchy, my mouth stung and my throat closed.  Within the next few months I was diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome: all tree born fruit except citrus, all nuts, the parlsey family (fennel, dill, carrots, celery, etc), and now the mint family.  First I reacted to rosemary in a bread then mint, then thyme.  Now I am mourning basil and oregano.  How on earth will I cook?  The mint in my Plaque rinse makes me break out.  I will try the toothpaste mentioned above as I am also allergic to strawberries.  Does anyone out there have a similarly long spreadsheet for the kitchen when you go out to eat?

[Hilclover]

When I eat certain foods, I haven't figured out what, I think mint, I get painful aches in my joints in my legs and I run a fever. It comes back about once a day for three days in lessening degrees each day and then vanishes. I thought for sure I was imagining the mint connection until after abstaining for almost a year from mint I thought oh why not, I'll have some minty chocolate crumbles on my dessert and sure enough by the next day I was in great discomfort in my legs and couldn't stop figgeting my legs. Strangely advil didn't work to get rid of fever leg aches. Maybe I should have used benedryl? Anyone else get achey (achy) legs and fever?

[cat2468]

Orange listerine is good. I'm allergic to mint also and it never bothers me. Hope that helps.

[CrazedTopher]

I don't think I am allergic tehnically, but ever since I was little....I had mint girl scout cookies and threw up from them. Anything with mint....such as toothpastes, gum, etc I cannot use because I will gag in torment...it's so detestable to me. Even, when other people around me chew on mint gum...I start feeling sick by it! I have had to use fruit/bubblegum flavors for a long time! I was so angry when Crest discontinued Lemon Ice...it was the perfect thing for me because I never felt sick using it.

[meeps]

does anyone else have Oral Allergy Syndrome?  It is basically an allergy to profilin ( a birch pollen protein) but it is most obvious as an allergy to all non-citrus tree-borne fruit, the whole parsley family (carrots, celery, parsley, chives, fennel, dill), and  lots of "sensitivity groups" which can include many other groups like tropical fruit.  I'm curious because also being allergic to the mint family (includes basil and oregano, alas), I have found that many toothpastes contain xylitol which can be derived from either corn or birch.  I have only found 1 or 2 toothpastes that don't contain this.  Thanks.

[Jaims]

Hey all, I am right there with you!!! My symptoms are rash on chest, CRAZY NAUSEA, migraines, and vomiting. LOTS o Fun! And yes, people dont believe you... they think it's funny to offer you mint gum or blow in your face... they order mint birthday cakes and mint ice cream :-) They dont understand that I cant be in the same room with it!! They think that just because I am not chewing it I am ok... i too have had to leave movie theatres, church, I have even had to relocate on an airplane. Everytime I fly i think "please no mint, please no mint, please no mint!!" I have had to leave small restaurants before too where an entire party of 8 people  shared a pack of mint gum :-(

Anyway, i dont blame the rest of the world, they really dont understand, i have even had dentist look at me like i was crazy! But I do wish the toothpaste industry would get a CLUE and offer more products... grown-ups like berry toothpaste too :-)

Oh, had my first reaction when I was 2 and my dad gave me a chewable pill for an upset stomach that was mint flavored. Remember that moment (it was horrible) like it was yesterday and that was 25 years ago!

Luckily the people around me have really come to respect my allergy... most people dont like the idea of me vomiting so that whips em into shape pretty quick :-)

[Emmie100]

hey everyone. sorry to hear about your allergies but i have found myself in a similar situation.

i am allergic to spearmint but not menthol or peppermint however i do sometimes make mistakes. my allergy to spearmint is getting progressively worse. it use to make my lips swell, make me cough and give me terrible stomach aches. that changed last Thursday when i thought i was brushing my teeth with peppermint toothpaste but it said "freshmint" which apparently means spearmint. my face and tongue swelled, i could not breath, struggled to stay conscious and could not feel my hands or legs (apparently that is to do with the lack of oxygen entering the body). i ended up in hospital. i can say my allergy is getting worse but i thought it was only me allegic to mint. Scary stuff.

i looked up the difference between spearmint and pepper mint to see why i only react to spearmint and they are both very similar plants but not exactly the same so not sure why im only allergic to one. hope this does not mean i will eventually be allergic to all types.

i am allergic to lots of other things, not to the extent of my mint allergy but i do have allergic reactions almost every day. also suffer from eczema and hay fever.

allergies are annoying and lots of people don't understand so i just want to say thank you for sharing and allowing me to share with you all my experience.

[b21942]

I spent  half an hour with the pharmasist today who went through toothplastes and other things trying to find out what had mint and what didn't.  There were several that didn't have mint as an ingredient but the pharmasist had used them and remembered the flavour of mint.  Finally we looked at each other and said, why not call the mfg's and ask them.  Well I called colgate and they only have one toothpaste that does not contain mint and that it the Childrens  Watermelon flavour.  I have several things that I still need to look into.  But the pharmasist also suggested something else I was looking for could be purchsed with a perscription.  If your not sure make sure you ask and keep looking and asking until you get an answer.

I have had several doctors tell me that you can't be allergic to mint.  But I did find out recently that if you are having your allergies tested mint is one, but it is on the end of a very long list.  It has to be specifically asked for.

I have had headaches and upset stomaches just from the smell of mint (and many other things like strong coffee, bacon and dark chocolate) since I was very little. Stomache aches, head aches and diarrhea.

I grew into an allergy of milk and eggs,  and apparently I may have grown out of it, but if I'm not feeling good to start with, it is wise just to stay away from them.  

About six years ago I was making Christmas cookies and decided to taste a candy cane pepermint cookie.  Well with in 30 seconds my face, neck and hands were swollen, my eyes and nose were nearly swollen shut and wouldn't stop running it was like full blown head cold in less than one minute.  It took 2 weeks to get it under control.

The next Christmas I tasted just a crumb and started to swell immediately, but I had the benelyn in my hand when I tried it and it took time but was under control alot faster.

Eleven days ago I had something that had mint in it by accident and a couple of hours later I was swollen more than usual.  I have several conditions that cause swelling and didn;t think much of it.  The next morning I was so swollen I couldn't walk and my hands were useless.  That was when I thought of the candy that had mint in it.  The doctor put me on large dose of reactin and it has helped somewhat, but what I didn't realise was that the lozengers I were using for my throat contained mint, When I brushed my teeth that afternoon my whole face swelled and my eyes started running.  The next day I tried just using my mouthwash, the same thing happened.  During this time my swelling was worse to the point where my skin was so tight on my legs that I couldn't bend them to go down the stairs.  My feet were so swollen that they had stretch marks.  It's gradually getting better,
It is unbelieveable just how may things have mint in them and how many things are related to the mint that could be harmful.
I would appreciate any information on products to use or even not to use as I am getting use to this allergy.
Thanks

[wifan]

I, too, have an allergy to mint.  It started about 7-8 yeards ago after college.  I am a teacher and at the time was suffering terrible migraines.  At a work function that year, I figured it out, as the people on both sides of me were chomping on mint gum.  

For years I've had to make excuses to get away from people who are chewing mint gum while talking to me, or eating a mint falvored ice cream cone.  I hate it.  And you are all correct; they give you a look when you tell them you allergic to what is in their mouth.  They think you're making it up or you can't wait to get away from them.

Let me tell you, teaching kids who try to sneak in mint gum to your class is no walk in the park.  I can literally smell mint gum across the room and it has made me physically ill many times.  The kids thought it was a "neat trick" and tried to see if they could fool me.  It took getting violently ill to get the point across.

I am so sensitive that I can actually taste the mint that is in someone else's mouth...and for long periods of time.  I recently had to make an emergeny trip to the doctor because I was at a party where the caterer accidently put mint in the salad.  

My biggest problem is dealing with people who find the strongest mints/gum and then pass it out to all of their friends.  I'm to the point where I don't even care if I offend them by asking them to spit it out.  What do I have to do?  Carry a load of non-mint gum in my pocket as a trade for them having to get rid of a perfectly good piece of gum?  

I am glad I found this.  I can't tell you how lonely it has been.  Good luck to all.  :)

[raindrop08]

hey guys, I have a story for you guys. i'm oly 17 years old and have been allergic to menthol i think since i was 12 it may have been younger then that. but everytime i ingest menthol i get really sick i feel neasous i can't breathe which doesn't help my asthma, i can't use vicks products because it all contains menthol, i used the cough medicine one time and it cuased me to have a really bad nose bleed, i mean i soaked my blanket bad. i can't chew menthol gum i can't stand the smell of anything menthol because i get a migraine bad enough that i throw up and it puts me in bed for hours and still doesn't go away, i end up having to go to the hospital to get it to go away. as far as face washes go i haven't found a face wash yet that doesn't contain menthol in some form and even my cleanser now takes my breath away still.  toothpaste burns my mouth even colgate which has very little menthol still burns.

[FurballsMom]

I saw a brand of toothpaste in the supplement store called Waleda.  This company comes from Germany.  They are even affordable.  I don't have a true allergy to mint, but I am a little bit sensitive to it myself.  Some days I can tolerate a little bit of mint.  Just having commercial toothpaste in my mouth will make me sick to my stomach.  I simply cannot tolerate commercial toothpaste, which led me to looking at what is available at the supplement store.  It seems that they have a few more options available than they used to.  And, what's nice about many of the natural brands is that they are getting the message that people are looking for products that don't contain Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS) and flouride.  That said, I noticed that the Waleda brand has a formula that is labeled Calendula.  This is a flower that essential oils are extracted from that is known for being soothing to the skin.  I looked at the list of ingredients on this formula, and I didn't see any mention of mint of any kind.  What I saw in the list of ingredients is fennel.  If fennel is okay for you, then this formula might work for you.

Tom's of Maine has a fennel toothpaste, too, but most of their formulas still have SLS in them.  SLS is a known carcinogen, and it is irritating to the skin, so if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to avoid this ingredient.

[FurballsMom]

OMG!  Yes, I have Oral Allergy Syndrome, too!  It's awful!  I can no longer use my favorite herbs to season my foods.  And, it's impossible to be a vegetarian with so many sensitivities to all those vegetables.  So many of the vegetables and herbs you mentioned are all in the same family.  I found out that I may also be allergic to something called mugwort, due to the latex allergy.  More than likely, you're also allergic to ragweed, since so many people are.  I never did think that chamomile had much flavor, but I discovered that it's just not worth drinking for me, because it will give me a migraine.  Echinacea, too, since it's a close cousin.

And, like you said, so many herbs that aren't called mint are still related to mint.  I love basil, but it doesn't love me back.  Not worth it.   When the co-workers are always bringing mint cakes for company parties,  that really is cruel.  I know those co-workers don't understand, but that doesn't mean that they should just bring something other people are allergic to just being in the vicinity of to the workplace.  That's not just showing a lack of understanding.  That's also just plain cruel.  Some people can die just by breathing in or coming into contact with just the smallest amounts of what ever the substance they're allergic to.  Maybe we don't go into anaphylaxis, but that doesn't mean we don't get sick or suffer.  I can sure understand what you mean with the co-workers only bringing mint cakes.  Not only can't you partake, but you have to leave the room, because the mint fills the air and makes you feel sick.  Maybe they think it's a joke, or they don't take it seriously if you're not getting anaphylaxis, but that's not funny at all.

I face a similar issue every time I leave my apartment or have to ride public transportation with many substances, because I have Multiple Chemical Sensitvity (MCS).  It's hard for me going to my congregation where I am surrounded by people who I would consider to be my friends, because so many of them KNOW I have allergies to perfumes and fragrances, but wear the stuff to our congregation anyway.  I sit in a separate room with a glass partition, so I can breathe and not get sick.  I also wear a filtration mask.  It's a similar issue to what leo421 faces when the co-workers insist on bringing mint cakes, because it involves substances I have to breathe in.  I don't just get asthma attacks from the stuff people wear, I get MANY other symptoms, like nausea, and will end up feeling sick for hours or even days after exposure.

[Rissyrew]

I've been allergic to mint and mint relations ever since I was 5 and now I'm 22. You'd be suprised at how many things are related; laverder and sage are the worst for me after ANY type of mint, but the list also includes parsley rosemary tyme, and a few others. Because of the fact that mint is an oil the reactions tend to linger for a day or two for me. Even if there is only one person in an average sized room chewing a type of mint gum my throat closes up, I get nausea, headaces, I've even been known to pass out. Luckily I've learned the early symptoms and can generally get out of the situation before it gets really bad.

Currently I'm using kid's toothpaste. I carry gum around so that I can give it to my friends and classmates that are chewing mint gum and they cannot have any perfumes or lotions that have mint in them. I've had to train my boyfriend to switch toothpastes as well as gum and a few other things because my reactions are so bad. The only cough stuff that I have found is Triamenic and Ludens also a good alternitive are jolly ranchers or lollipops, just something that coat your throat. Just be careful with trying new stuff and make sure to read the ingredients, even tissues and tylanol have mint in the now.

[supermomx7]

My daughter (13) just had a severe reaction (hands/feet/lips swelling, hives).  She ate a candy cane about 1-12 hours before the reaction occured (she also had other items, but we are thinking it is the mint).  She had candy canes galore over Christmas w/o any problems.  I have 2 boys allergic to peanuts and another allergic to all dairy.  Could any of these be linked?  While I am not new to allergies, I am new to the whole "mint" allergy (of course, I sneeze when I eat mint).  I guess I will have to watch out for all things "mint" for her from now on?

[Shellydanelle]

I am allergic to spearmint too. Other mints bother me but spearmint is the worst and my reactions are getting stronger. I am glad I found this forum because I have never met anyone else allergic to mint before. My symptoms started about 7 ro 8 years ago. If someone in the room is chewing spearmint gum (Extra is the worst) my jaw tightens up and my eyes and mouth start watering and then I start getting very dizzy, can't think and then I start having trouble breathing. Has anyone found out what we can do to lessen the allergy or reaction we have?

[mskoch]

I always knew I dislike mint, especially spearmint, but I never thought much about it.  About 20 years ago I accidentally swallowed a chocolate bonbon with mint cream filling in a party, and it made me throw up.  That was when my friend suggested that I didn't just seriously dislike mint, but I may be allergic to it.  I didn't take it very seriously because, after all, I could use mint toothpaste (as long as it isn't spearmint), like Colgate, and I could use cough drops that are kind of minty.  I spoke of my "allergy" to mint more as a joke (because no one has ever heard of it) than truth, until recently.

Yesterday morning I walked into our office break room to make a cup of tea, and noticed an open box of mint chocolate Girl Scout cookies.  The smell was offensive as usual but not too strong so I thought I'd just tough it out.  I finished cleaning my cup and got water from the hot water heater, put a tea bag in, and was out of there in no more than 2 minutes max.  Unfortunately, it was long enough that that my throat and lungs began to feel restricted and I had trouble breathing. I gradually started feeling faint and lightheaded and had to go home.  The worst symptom went away in the afternoon, but I still feel light-headed and weak today.

This is the 2nd time I experienced a "real" reaction from breathing in mint, and I finally realize food allergy can come from not just what I eat but what I breath. Whatever it is food manufacturers put in mint-flavored treats to make the smell carries for miles can easily be the death of me.  My husband and I both love murder mysteries, and I told him it'd be very easy to stage an accidental death for me - just lock me in a room or an elevator with a plate of mint cookies, and you got "Death by Girl Scout Cookies" - LOL!

I have an appointment to see my physician about available treatments for emergencies; I don't like drugs but I want to be prepared if ever something like this happens again.  

[Tinygoof]

I also have very bad reactions to any mint products, anaphalactic shock, lips and gums swell. I carry an allergy kit containing an epi-pen, aspirin and Benadryl.  It is true poeple do not believe it.  There is a site called Dentist.net witch carries mintfree toothpaste.  Good luck everyone who suffers from this.  It is a mint-filled world!
Tinygoof

[Nebstlotr]

Wow, this is interesting. I'd never heard of an allergy to mint, until recently. My mom has had a problem for a few years with green or blue mint toothpaste leaving a rash around her mouth. (Oddly enough, the white is no problem...)
For the past couple months her one eyelid has been twitching almost contantly. She didn't even think to associate it with mint, even though she has a cup of mint tea every morning. For a few days last week, she happened to not have any tea, and noticed that her eye was fine. Still not putting the two together, she made herself a cup the other day, and as soon as she smelled it, her eyelid started going again. It was the weirdest thing.
This seems different from the other usual reactions to me. Anybody ever heard of this??

[Stephania]

Thank god I'm not alone! Family have always told me to stop being so dramatic and just deal with it. But just the smell of any kind of mint makes me feel ill and if I consume it I will BE ill. It's horrible, disguisting stuff. When I was a kid I used to say I'd brushed my teeth when I hadn't because of it, but in the end just started brushing my teeth without toothpaste (it is a miracle that, at 24, I'm the only person in my family without any dental work!).
A couple of years ago I found a Colgate toothpaste that doesn't have any particular smell or taste and have kept that well in stock ever since. As for mouthwash, I'm at a loss. Because i'm not "consuming" it, it's the smell that's the problem and by the time I spit I'm gagging.
My family aren't particularly helpful when, in the car, they have a breath mint, tic-tac or gum. The place immediately stinks and, in childlike protest, I'll open the window and stick my head out (obviously, checking for dangers first) but that usually gets them to stop.
My dentist took me by suprise when, a couple of visits in, she announced she'd ordered some non-mint toothpaste! Very happy with her for that.
I don't drink because of my epilepsy, mint makes me ill and I can't mix foods together -apparently I'm high maintenance!!

[Melthias]

Thanks guys! I too thought I was alone. My symptoms are nowhere near as severe as some that have been posted, but my sensetivity to mint is having a knock on effect on my health in other areas-namely my teeth. My tongue and mouth burn so badly when I use mint of any kind; plain,spear,arrow or peppermint (I'm not too sure about menthol) that I cannot face brushing my teeth anymore. First it burns badly then my mouth fills up with the same saliva you get just before you're sick - that type of saliva I have since found out is there to PROTECT your teeth from stomach acid during vomiting.
I live on a small island called Shetland in the UK and don't have very much choice in toothpastes (or anything else to be honest) and am worried about my teeth. I brush them with water only and I know that can't be getting them totally clean. Please could someone suggest an alternative toothpaste, one I could purchace online?
Thanks.

[FurballsMom]

Tom's of Maine has some children's toothpaste that is not mint.  If fennel isn't a cross reaction for you, they have an adult toothpaste with fennel in it.  Waleda is a German company that sells its products in the U.S. and Canada.  I can't use the one that I mentioned in a previous post myself, because it turns out that I'm far more allergic to calendula (related to marigolds) than I am to mint.  A friend of mine still just uses baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to brush her teeth.  She also uses food grade hydrogen peroxide as her mouthwash.  Since mint isn't an issue for her, she said that she will use mint oil on her toothbrush, but I know that one doesn't have to use any essential oils at all.  I've used just the baking soda myself and have discovered that this is a good option for dental hygeine when mint is such an issue.  The baking soda really will freshen breath and clean one's teeth.  It's the best alternative I've found for myself, since I have allergies to additional ingredients other than the mint.  I'm not fond of the taste of the baking soda, but it really will work.

[KelleyS]

Wow. I am amazed to learn how serious this issue is for some people.  I am 44 and just recently began telling people that I am allergic to mint because that seems to help them believe this is real for me.  My condition started as a child; I remember brushing my teeth was a real torture for me and my parents just thought I was being difficult.  As a youth my siblings enjoyed pinning me down and breathing mint on me - one time my parents were in the room and they just watched and everyone laughed.  The smell, taste, and touch of mint on my skin makes me gag, my eyes water, and skin burn. I am so glad to know that I am not alone and that this is not something in my head as most people believe it to be.  I had to educate my Dentist and her staff that all mint had to be removed from the room - they even use mint infused gloves there.  I plan to copy all of your wonderful comments and present them to my family, friends, and dental office.  The best comment on here was the "death by girl scout cookies" I laughed so hard since it could be true for me. Time to advocate for a mint-free society!!  The only mint related product that I use and that I can barely tolerate is my toothpaste - ultrabrite.........I've been too scared of gagging more to try anything else, but I plan to try some of the suggestions offered here.  At my dentist office, I have them specially mix plain pumice and water - a bit gritty, but it beats having a reaction in the chair.

[happness]

Where was this when I needed this information?  Oh that was about 40 years ago and the internet didn't even exist.  I am now wearing full dentures and am still having problems with unexpected mint exposure.  Dentists use a lot of products that have mint, but it isn't listed as an ingredient so they are unaware that it is there.  I don't have a lot of problem with skin irritation, instead I have a problem with basically being a zombie after an exposure to mint.  Is there any way to make sure that mint is listed as an ingredient if it is there?

[raindrop08]

does anybody have any suggestions on how to help my boyfriend quit smoking menthol ciggarettes? please help

[Picard1595]

Do Not Use Baking Soda as tooth paste. Baking Soda actually can cause more damage by corroding your teeth. Just find a good tooth paste product that you are not allergic to Amazon.com has many. Unless of course you want to have dentures in a few years then go on use the baking soda, and enjoy the pain.

[aecountrygirl]

I'm so glad it isn't just us!  My father and I are both extremely turned off by mint...and I was that way and never met him until I was 9.  Kinda points towards genetic factors, because my mom had no problem, and always ate mints around me and such, but when I finally met my dad he also had the aversion.  My teachers at grade school would always give mints out as prizes for different things, and I would always fake a appreciative smile then give mine to someone else.  

My little sisters are 100% biological, same mother and father, but they have no problems...they try to eat mints in my car, and I have to remind them "PLEASE DON'T!!!", because  it generally ends up in all the windows being rolled down and possibly in the delay of me pulling over to get fresh air.  The aroma makes me violently nauseous and dizzy, and makes me gag...I have to avoid toothpaste with it, lipgloss, et cetera.  
I have finally started using Crest Cinnamon...it isn't too strong on the cinnamon, and kinda plain, but it beats the heck outta mint!!!  My boyfriend even suggested that my mint aversion is in my head...I don't particularly care, because biological or mental, me+mint= VERY UNHAPPY no matter what.

[alexvg]

Hi PLEASE READ THIS IT WILL HELP
3 years ago I started having serious symtoms, nausea, pain and ringing in the ears, fainting, my face was constently swollen to the point where I did not recognise my self anymore.
I went from doctor to doctor, at the end one said well maybe it is phsycological so I even went to therapy... what a waste of time.
and then one doctor said you have allergies, so I started the testing and nothing. A couple of weeks ago I had a mint tea, wow swelling breathing problems ....i finally made the connection, I then thought I am allergic to mint. But No its not the mint it is a naturally produced substance found in all kind of fruits, herbs and vegetables called SALICYLATE. So its not mint its SALICYATE and from what I understand its not called an allergy but an intolerence, the difference being that it builds up in you and then you get the reaction when the body has too much.
Have a look on the web you will find a lot of information.
I hope that this helped and good luck.
Alexandra