I’ve never had any allergies…and always felt sorry for kids who did, and was proud of the fact that I didn’t.
Tonight, there were some girls scouts selling cookies in front of the store. I couldn’t pass them up, obviously. I was with my brother, and I knew that he had bought Samoas (or caramel delights or whatever the new PC name is). So, I wanted to buy a different variety. My first thought was immediately Thin Mints. I love refreshing taste of mint and I love chocolate. But, sadly, I remembered a discovery that I made earlier this year which led me to choose the Peanut Butter Patties.
A few months back, perhaps around 8 months ago, I popped a piece of gum in my mouth. Nothing unusual…but as I began to chew it, my throat began to tingle and constrict a tiny bit. I didn’t really think anything of it, until a week or two later, when I was in my brother’s truck, and took a piece of his gum. The same thing happened. It felt a little like my throat was closing up. Not horribly, just a little bit. It wasn’t like I couldn’t breathe, but it was definitely noticeable.
This was the first time that I thought, “Hmm…maybe I’m allergic to gum…or mint! How sad would that be?” Well, after a few more similar incidents, and eating almost a whole bag of peppermint patties in one sitting, (Well, maybe that time, it wasn’t necessarily the mint that made me sick 
) I have come to the conclusion that I am slightly allergic to mint. This is by no means a scientific conclusion, but it is a sad conclusion.
I love mint. When I was in high school, my best friend and I were seriously addicted to Peppermint Patties. And Mint Chip ice cream is quite delightful. And I like mint flavored gum that leaves that fresh feeling in your mouth. I am by no means giving up mint for good. I will still eat it, because it tastes so good. Unless of course it begins to cause me to break out in hives. Though that probably wouldn’t really stop me either. But it did keep me from buying mint girl scout cookies…and replace with peanut butter, which I could also write paragraphs about how much I love it.
My name is Rhonda. I am blessed to live in a beautiful place out in the country with my wonderful husband. In addition to our "real" jobs (I work at a garden center and he is a teacher), we have a small farm where we raise vegetables, eggs and chickens to sell at local Farmer's Markets. We are currently fixing up/remodeling a house into which we will soon be moving...hopefully. In my free time, (what is that?) I enjoy traveling, cooking, crafty projects, reading and watching the sun set on the hills.
allergic to mint?! that IS sad. i’ll be sure to eat extra for you.
All your Thin Mints are belong to me.
Minty fresh breath is the key to a good marriage.
are you saying Rhonda isnt gonna have a good marriage?!
Is that why nobody wants to marry me?
Yeah, sorry Rhonda. I was going to tell you, but I just never got around to it.
Pick up some tic-tacs, seriously.
They just can’t be mint. They have orange tic-tacs, don’t they?
It’s sad that you like it but you can’t eat (as much of) it (as you would like to). When I don’t like mint at all, but I’m not allergic to it.
Too bad you can’t just give me your allergy.
Rhonda…I too am allergic but my throat does close up a bit..but when i smeel or taste mint i immediatly throw up. A bit different but i never like mint so i guess it does not bother me. I found out first hand eating an Andes(Super MINT) chocolate cookie. I was craving it so i ate it my throat closed up and i vomitted 3-5 times i cant remember but even the smell of it can make me vomit a bit…no one around me at school is allowed to eat mint. So i guess its ok
Rhonda – I’ve been looking into mint allergies, which is how I got to your page. Other research shows that allergies to mint are actually to mint flavoring. I’m still looking for research showing an actual allergy to mint, the herb.
Rhonda: I know just how you feel. I have been allergic to peppermint my whole life. Within 10 minutes of eating it I will break out in blisters on my mouth. It is horrible, because I love mint! For the last couple of years, I have had several bouts of skin rashes that require doctor’s care. I always thought it was from my cats coming into contact with poison ivy and then rubbing against me. The doctor insisted it was not poison ivy (no blisters-but it sure itches like it!) I am in the middle of one of these episodes right now–it is all over my neck and face. It hit this morning what is causing it (duh!) I have catnip planted in one of my flower beds! And catnip is in the mint family, releases and oil, etc….. Right now, my husband is busy in the back yard pulling it all out! To all of you mint lovers out there, have a cookie for me!!!!
hey! i found this page while researching allergic reactions to mint (leaves, the herb – NOT flavoring). i went to work with my friend today to help her and her boss break up mint leaves and put them in packages for retail. after about 40 minutes i started to sweat, feel faint, my face got really red and the room started spinning. i felt like i was going to die!!!!!!!!!
the longer i worked with the mint leaves, the worse i felt, and after leaving the breathing area around them i started to improve. isn’t that strange? and i can find NOTHING about this anywhere on the internet, am i the only one???????
Whenever I pop a tic tac ,I sneeze,am I allergic to mint?
Several years ago, I had a pudding desert with a few mint leaves on top – I know they were mint because I asked the waitress what the green leaves were and if they were meant to be eaten or just there for decoration. She said they were to be eaten. Within minutes the roof of my mouth became raw and sore.
About a year ago my son, a chef, was visting and cooking. When I entered the house I got a sensation of several needles being poked up my nose. The irritaion was so intense I had to leave the house for hours. He was boiling thyme. That was about a year ago. Just yesterday he started boiling up more thyme and I suffered the same painfull reaction. Today I did a little on line research and found that thyme is a member of the mint family.
I found several hits on Google when I searched “mint allergy”. Also found other people on various blogs mention and questioning allergic reaction to mint. It seems like a not too common allergy and more severe in some, less in others.
Well, I thought I was a freak, but I guess not. I have reactions to mint gum sometimes, too. If I’m chewing a new piece of mint gum and breathe in too quickly, my throat will totally close up. Sometimes I can breathe slowly and control it, but one time I seriously could not breathe for at least 30 seconds. I have no idea why.
I have been suffering with the exact same feeling in my thoart when i have mints or chewing gum, I can’t breathe and my thoart feels like it’s blocked.
Hi, My Name is Kristie and my daughter brittany is 15 and we are in the process of elimination with her due to mint. Yesterda after church she broke out in a horriable rash/hives all over her body. Didnt know what it was until later that afternoon after she put a piece of gum in her mouth (orbitz-rasphberry mint) and with in 45 mins she broke out again in hives..this smorning after she brushed her teeth she broke out again with hives, then we tested her again an hour later and she broke out again with hives. I am pretty sure shes alergic to Mint. Any help would be great. Kristie
A few months ago, I started to notice that anytime i drink a mint mojito my throat, tongue, and ears get very itchy. I’ve been trying to find some kind of research about an allergic reaction to mint leaves because it seems so strange and i really like mojitos! I have no problems with mint ice cream or cookies, just the actual leaves. It seems like they are even more concentrated in mojitos. Has anyone found anything on this?
my son loves mint but has had an anaphalatic attack after eating a few mints but we won’t know exactly what he is alergit to till tomorow if it is to the herb,i’ll let you know.
Mojitos! I have suffered 2 major bouts of red welts/bumps/intense itching that fades out over 7-10 days. No throat/eye itching or swelling of trachea. Last night I had a Mojito and woke up at 4am this morning in itch hell for the 3rd time. That’s the first connection I made to Mojitos. Checking the dates I found the first bout was close to a club outing where I had the 2nd Mojito of my life. I know that I had Mojitos at the 2nd outbreak.
Anyway, I’ve never had a problem with mint before, but I cannot imagine rum, club soda, sugar or lime being the problem. Though I have rarely had club soda in my life.
I am shocked and amazed! I thought I was the only one allergic to mint, but I see several other people out there with the very same symptoms that I have! It is weird, because I always ate mint, but had various other allergies. One day, after eating just two small leaves, I got clammy and faint and then started vomiting violently for some time. Ever since then, I cannot really tolerate any herbs in foods, and when people chew gum near me, my asthma kicks up. One time I even felt faint. My allergist positively confirmed allergy to all mint. She said that allergy reaction to the smell of gum has never been truly documented, but I am sticking to my story!
I have to say, it has been hard to find products that do not contain mint. I am now very concerned by food labeling that has ingredients such as; “natural flavors”. hmmm, could be just about anything there!
Thanks for making an entry regarding this topic! Maybe the word will get out! It’s a powerful herb that seems much over-represented!
I too thought i was alone with my mint allergy. Just the smell can give me a debilitating migraine within about 30 seconds, let alone eating it! Peppermint is the worst but the whole family affects me in varying ways. On my 2nd date with my (now) husband we went to an asian restaurant and I had just one bite of a role with asian mint in it. I felt the pressure in my temple immediately. This mint didn’t give me a headache but did make my tongue swell. Luckily the swelling wasn’t severe enough to be dangerous but it did inhibit my ability to form my words properly and I sounded rather drunk for the rest of the evening. My date thought it was hilarious. 17 years later we still have a giggle about.
I have a horrible mint allergy. If I even smell mint I can stop breathing. I have to carry an epi-pen with me everywhere. It is the only allergy that I have and it is really a pain.
I also have a mint allergy – have had it since I was about 7 – 21 years, and I’ve never met anyone else who has it. I too am affected by all mint, leaves are definitely the worst, but the smell of artificial mint, like gum, also makes me very sick. It is my only allergy as well, and I agree with Rachel – it is a huge pain and becomes more of a pain all the time.
Question – what kind of toothpaste do you all use? I’ve been looking but have never found anything good.
I am also allergic to mint every time I eat or even smell it my throut starts to close and I have hard trouble breathing. Just tonight I thought I was going to pass ot from someone sitting next to me that was eating mint.
Oh i use the orange expressions crest I cant touch any other toothpaste.
Holy Cow! 1st place I’ve found with people I identify with. Those around me think I’m crazy because they’ve never heard of a mint allergy. Just the smell of it starts off a wicked headache, then vomiting. Going into stores or just being around a crowd is becoming difficult because everyone chews mint gum! And now the holidays!!! Mint candy canes…..my nemesis! I work in a school daycare and I can tell you it’s not easy having a headache everyday. I’m glad to see I’m not alone! What can we do? Well I’m off to the Dr. again to see if it’s turned into a “real allergy” or just as he says “a sensitivity” to which nothing can be done. ahhhhahhhh! thanks for listening while I vent…..
Yes, this is amazing to me too because I had burning mouth syndrome where my mouth was burning almost all the time and I knew I had a mint allergy but when I eliminated all the mint herbs from my diet (not easy to do) my mouth stopped burning. And if I am around people who have strong mints I can not breath and so I do not feel comfortable on airplanes or anywhere confining where people are eating mints because it makes me turn red and then my throat starts to close. Department stores and candle shops at christmas are the worst. This is odd because I really thought I was the only person with this allergy. Thank you for this site.
I just found out 3 days ago that I was allergic to mint.I called a natural food store to ask about toothpaste and I was asked if I was allergic to spearmint.She wondered if it was in the same “family” as the mint I was allergic too.Isn’t all mint the same?I ended up buying a cinnamon flavored paste.(doesn’t taste that bad)
I just put 2 sticks of “5″ Spearmint (“Rain”) sugarfree gum in my mouth and I couldn’t breath. My throat felt like it was closing up. After about 20 seconds it went away.
After reading this page I guess I have a mint allergy that I didn’t know about.
Thanks for posting this website.
i am sooooo allergic to mint and so is my brother and my dad but i love mint… awww well its nice to know that i am not alone!
I am terribly allergic to mint!! Have been my whole life and it is very inconvenient and people underestimate how hard it is to escape mint!! It’s everywhere!!! Unlike some of you, i do not like it at all, i think it’s the worst smell in the world and it makes me feel like I am on my death bed… but i love seafood and I never understood how people allergic to shellfish didnt like it… but now that I think about it i guess i do understand…
There are two things involved here. We’re misusing the word “allergy.” Those who get a skin rash or swelling or their throat closes are suffering an allergic reaction to mint. Those (myself included) who get nauseous but don’t have any of the skin rash/swelling symptoms are intolerant to mint.
When I (accidentally) ingest mint, it does not cause my throat to close nor does it give me a headache or skin rash. But I will be nauseous for a week. And it isn’t just the aroma of mint but the actual leaf itself. When used as a decoration on a dessert, I have the same reaction if I eat anything the mint leaf has touched. Once I ate at a Vietnamese restaurant and a few minutes into the meal I started getting nauseous.
It doesn’t matter if I ingest it, or if I smell it on someone else’s breath, I suffer the same reaction. I have a similar (yet not as harsh) reaction to cilantro.
I also have a mint allergy, it developed about 10 years ago starting with toothpaste… mint toothpaste made my tastebuds sting and irritated my mouth. My dr at the time said it was a hive-like reaction. It is worst with dental-type mint flavorings, my lips burn and peel and even blister a little. Very painful and lasts for weeks. I avoid mint in all forms now.
For toothpaste and dental stuff Tom’s of Maine is great ( tomsofmaine.com ), they have strawberry flouride toothpaste mostly marketed to children but works great for all ages. I am currently using their SLS-free apricot flouride toothpaste which also has xylitol in it (xylitol is really good for teeth). I have waited for years for them to come out with mint free flouride/xylitol toothpaste. Tom’s of Maine has a lot of great products that are mint free (you can find them at natural food stores).
people practicing homeopathy often avoid mint so that’s another possible source of mint-free products.
I have a mint allergy as well, if i eat something mint my throat closes up and i have to carry around an epipen as well
I to believe I have a mint allergy, it really isn’t major like some of yours, however my throat closes up slightly it also makes my sliver stringy and often make me have bad breath (isn’t that great the food which is smelt to fix bad breath causes it for me)
I will still continue to use my toothpaste as it’s nothing majour but I will avoid mints.
Four years ago I was at a restaurant in Miami enjoying one of the most delicious cuisines. It was a salad with mangos, lots of nuts, mint leaves and so many other items that made it delightful. After I started eating the salad, I immediately thought I was in need of more water. All of a sudden I felt light my through was swelling and my chest tightening. My friend had enough of a medical background to rush me to the hospital, fortunately a block away. I leaqrned that day about Anaphylaxis. It was determined mint leaves were the culprit of my experience. I could not have further allergy testing because of a medication I was on and remain on to this day.
Yesterday I went for a picnic and a ride up the tram to a nearby Canyon. My friend and I walked about ten feel and I started to feel like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t figure out how I was this out of shape since I workout every day. It wasn’t to much longer that I was barely able to tell my friend I needed help. I started running toward the tram with what little air I had before fainting. I was at least in distance of them and they came to see what was wrong. I then became friends with the nice pwople who ride ATV’s up the mountains with a stretcher. I was able to have oxygen on my way down. In the ambulance they started to give me shots of Epinephrineon and more oxygen on the way to the hospital. It was soon discovered my previous reaction to mint leaves. I had no idea this mountain was covered withs mintleaves. They recommended getting an allergy panel because if I was allergic to mint leaves, there is a whole family of allergies that are associated with mint leaf allergies.
I don’t understand why mint gum or mint ice=cream does not bother me as far as I can recall. For now, I will stay away from it all and carry an Epi-pen with me at all times.
Four years ago I was at a restaurant in Miami enjoying one of the most delicious cuisines. It was a salad with mangos, lots of nuts, mint leaves and so many other items that made it delightful. After I started eating the salad, I immediately thought I was in need of more water. All of a sudden I felt light my through was swelling and my chest tightening. My friend had enough of a medical background to rush me to the hospital, fortunately a block away. I leaqrned that day about Anaphylaxis. It was determined mint leaves were the culprit of my experience. I could not have further allergy testing because of a medication I was on and remain on to this day.
Yesterday I went for a picnic and a ride up the tram to a nearby Canyon. My friend and I walked about ten feel and I started to feel like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t figure out how I was this out of shape since I workout every day. It wasn’t to much longer that I was barely able to tell my friend I needed help. I started running toward the tram with what little air I had before fainting. I was at least in distance of them and they came to see what was wrong. I then became friends with the nice pwople who ride ATV’s up the mountains with a stretcher. I was able to have oxygen on my way down. In the ambulance they started to give me shots of Epinephrineon and more oxygen on the way to the hospital. It was soon discovered my previous reaction to mint leaves. I had no idea this mountain was covered withs mintleaves. They recommended getting an allergy panel because if I was allergic to mint leaves, there is a whole family of allergies that are associated with mint leaf allergies.
I’m allergic to mint too! Mint gum has always hurt my mouth but I never thought anything of it. A few months ago I started using this organic shampoo that had mint infusion. My scalp instantly started burning and my skin turned all red. It was terrible. After this I decided I MIGHT be allergic to mint. Mint chapstick always burns but the only kind of mint that doesn’t hurt is Peppermint, thank goodness! Toothpaste also makes my face all red, my eyes water, and my tongue extremely irritated. It drives me up the wall!
My husband has been telling me that he was allergic to mint, but as I had never experienced it, I didn’t think anything of it. Last night for the first time ever, I made him try some vine leaves, stuffed with rice… and mint! I remembered just as he bit into it… he confirmed it did have mint, but as it wasn’t too potent, he still ate it… one small greek vine leaf! OMG, he’s been spending his whole day at home, being violently sick and suffering from diarrhoea, I wonder if there is anything I can get him that would help relieve the effects of the allergy.
my 3 yr old has been suffering from bad hives for the last 24 hours after playing in mint leaves and flowers growing wild at his kindy. Its a relief to know that mint allergies do exist so i can keep him away from it in the future. the doctor thought it was probibly something he had eaten but he had nothing out of the ordinary. i had trouble finding anything official online about mint allergies