Mint Allergy?

Some thing to check - does mint gum actually contain mint? Second thing to check - the mint that makes you react. Is this when raw, or is it also when cooked for about 15 minutes? Tea would be heated 15 minutes or so, but not cooked.

I ask because for some allergies, heat for a long enough period will denature the protein involved and your body won't react. So it might do to check this out.

Definitely worth checking with an allergist, however - he or she won't be able to do much, nor will they be likely to give you much of anything unless you start having a bad reaction. Mint allergies are extremely rare - a few years back, there were only 50 known cases in the entire USA (I happened to meet one of them, so got to learn a bit about it).

It's rare enough it is not one of the allergens offered on prick tests or blood tests for allergy testing. A mint challenge - where you ingest it at the office, will be as close as you can get. But because of the rarity, a lot of doctors will automatically say you don't have one. :-/

Trying to get a challenge there, however, can tell if you are having some kind of reaction they can measure, like a change in blood pressure, oxygen level, or heart rate. Otherwise, perhaps it might be considered an intolerance to mint rather than an allergy.

And your mother is incorrect - some folks do not get major hives/swelling kind of reactions to mint and instead, it's more like...well, like hay fever in your gut. Inflammation and other problems, but only after prolonged contact. It's more like a very, very mild allergy, really, as I understand it.

When certain foods make your stomach upset, its always a good idea to bring this issue up with your doctor, because there are multiple possible problems you may have. The best type of physician for you to initially see for this problem is a primary care physician such as a family doctor or internal medicine doctor.

You could have a stomach ulcer.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms: dull, burning pain in the stomach.

weight loss.

not wanting to eat because of pain.

nausea or vomiting.

bloating.

burping.

heartburn (burning sensation in the chest)

pain improves when you eat, drink , or take antacids.