Carrot allergy L27.-, L23.6

Allergic reaction to ingestion of carrot-containing foods. It was observed in the majority of patients with pre-acquired sensitization to birch and mugwort pollen. About 50% of patients develop a systemic reaction.

Identified and accepted allergens of Daucus carota (Carrot)

• Dau c 1 pathogenesis-related protein, PR 10 protein
• Dau c 4 profilin
• Dau c 5 Isoflavone reductase-like protein

Relatively common food allergy (about 10% of all food allergies); third most common allergen in triggering systemic reactions; also as a trigger for oral allergy syndrome. Occupational rhinorrhoea, allergic asthma and contact urticaria are known. Asthmatic complaints can already occur when processing raw carrots.

As allergens Dau c 1 (16-18 kDa), a protein homologous to Bet v 1 ( birch allergen), Dau c 4 a carrot profilin (12 kDa) and an isoflavone reductase-like protein (Dau c 5) were identified. The latter is also found as Bet v 6 (35 kDa) in birch pollen. A cyclin has been identified as a further allergen.

Carrot allergens are heat labile.

Cross-reactions are therefore frequently found with birch pollen in the context of a pollen-associated food allergy and celery(celery-carrot-mugwort spice syndrome).

An isolated carrot allergy without a corresponding pollen depilation is extremely rare!

The sensitivity of an extract-based allergy test is about 80%. Dau c 1 (2 isoforems) are defined as major allergens in addition to the profilin Dau c 4.

1. Ballmer-Weber BK et al (2012) Component-resolved in vitro diagnosis of carrot allergy in three different regions of Europe. Allergy 67:758-766.
2. Ballmer-Weber et al (2007) Carrot allergy: double-blinded, placebo-controlled food challenge and identification of allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 108: 301-307
3. Fernándes-Rivas et al (2004) Anaphylaxis to raw carrot not linked to pollen allergy. Allergy 59: 1239-1240
4. Kawai M et al (2014) Allergic contact dermatitis due to carrots. J Dermatol 41:753-754.
5. Morena-Ancillo et al. (2006) Role of Dau c 1 in three different patterns of carrot-induced asthma. Allergol Immunopathol 34: 116-120
6. Paulsen E et al (2014) Systemic allergic dermatitis caused by Apiaceae root vegetables. Contact dermatitis. 70: 98-103.
7. Wangorsch A et al. (20129 Identification of a Dau c PRPlike protein (Dau c 1.03) as a new allergenic isoform in carrots (cultivar rodelica). Clin Exp Allergy 42:156-166.