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Coping with Mint allergy/sensitivity
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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