Fruit and vegetablesf31

Carrot allergy

Carrot allergy is usually linked to birch pollen allergy and causes an itchy mouth from raw carrot. Cooked carrot usually causes fewer symptoms.

Allergen
Carrot Daucus carota
Allergen code
f31
Key allergens
Dau c 1
Included in
1 test
Contents
  1. What is carrot allergy?
  2. Symptoms
  3. Cooked carrot
  4. Cross-reactivity
  5. How to get tested
  6. Frequently asked questions

What is carrot allergy?

Carrot allergy is most common in people with birch allergy. The protein Dau c 1 in carrot resembles Bet v 1 in birch pollen, and the immune system confuses the two. This causes itching, tingling and slight swelling in the mouth when eating raw carrot. The allergy test is for raw carrot.

Symptoms

  • Itching and tingling in the mouth, lips and throat
  • Slight swelling of the lips and tongue
  • Less often, hives or stomach problems

Cooked carrot

Most people with birch-related carrot allergy tolerate cooked carrot, carrot cake and soup better than raw carrot, but not everyone does. Unpasteurised carrot juice can cause symptoms.

Cross-reactivity

Carrot belongs to the same family as celery, parsley, fennel, dill and coriander, and cross-reactions between them are common. Carrot allergy can also be linked to mugwort pollen and to fruits such as apple.

How to get tested

Carrot (allergen code f31) is included in our Vegetable allergy test, together with celery and bell pepper. The test shows whether you have IgE antibodies to raw carrot.

Frequently asked questions

Why can I eat carrot cake but not raw carrot?

The heat in the oven changes the allergen so that the immune system does not recognise it as easily. That is why cooked carrot usually causes fewer symptoms.

Can I react to spices if I am allergic to carrot?

Yes, it is possible. Spices from the same plant family, such as coriander, cumin, fennel and aniseed, can cross-react with carrot.

Often cross-reacts with

This text is general information and does not replace an assessment by a healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 112. If you have questions about your health, contact your doctor.

Tests for carrot allergy

You take the sample yourself at home. The tests measure IgE antibodies in a capillary blood sample.

Fruit and vegetables

An itchy mouth from raw fruit and vegetables is usually due to cross-reactivity with pollen. Heating often destroys the sensitive proteins, but not all of them.

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