A Virginia Archaeologist’s Struggle with Mint Allergy

A young archaeologist from Virginia, Kyleigh Digiovanni, has a severe allergy to mint that once landed her in the hospital due to a stranger’s toothpaste breath just three feet away.

At 25 years old, Digiovanni from York, Virginia, recalled feeling pain while brushing her teeth since childhood. Initially, her family thought she was just being dramatic. But after she began describing how her toothpaste would “burn” and developed a rash inside her mouth at age 10, they decided it was time to see a doctor.

It turned out that Digiovanni suffers from a mint allergy, along with sensitivities to lavender, rosemary, and thyme. For a couple of years, she couldn’t brush her teeth while her family searched for a suitable toothpaste, ultimately settling on a fluoride-based children’s toothpaste in a blue raspberry flavor.

Her allergies worsened over time, making her highly reactive to mint. She can’t sit near anyone chewing gum or using mint cough drops. Last year alone, she was hospitalized 12 times, including an incident in November when a colleague inadvertently inhaled mint toothpaste fumes.

Digiovanni now carries medication to prevent anaphylactic shock and mentioned that medical professionals acted quickly during her hospital visits. “They pumped me up with antihistamines and adrenaline,” she explained.

Reflecting on her situation, Digiovanni said, “It’s like playing Russian roulette with five bullets in a room.” She added, “There’s a reason I walk everywhere. When I get on the train, I wear a mask.”

Understanding Mint Allergies

Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergy and immunology specialist from New Jersey, remarked that, while rare, mint allergies do happen. “You can find stories that seem unbelievable, but they’re real,” she noted. Symptoms can vary widely, from mild reactions like itching to severe, life-threatening situations.

Common signs include tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips and tongue, and potentially gastrointestinal issues. Skin irritations, like contact dermatitis, can also occur, leading to redness and blisters.

Interestingly, Digiovanni has not yet met anyone else with her specific allergies but has found an online support group of about 20 others who experience similar issues. She feels fortunate for these modern resources. “Before, people with rare conditions could feel really alone,” she shared.

Though she manages her allergies, the unpredictability of potential exposure is always on her mind. She quipped, “Sometimes I think I’d rather have an allergy to peanuts.”