What are the symptoms of a chickpea allergy?
Everyone experiences symptoms a little differently. Some of the most common chickpea allergy symptoms are:
- Skin reactions like itchy skin, redness, hives or swelling.
- Diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting.
- Changes in blood pressure.
- Coughing or wheezing.
- Tightness in your throat.
- Itchiness or burning in your mouth.
People with severe allergic reactions may experience anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate care. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
It’s important to note that there’s a difference between an intolerance and an allergy. An intolerance mainly affects your stomach and digestive system. It may cause symptoms like bloating, diarrhea and passing gas. An immune system allergic reaction affects multiple organ systems, including your respiratory system, skin, cardiovascular system and others. So, symptoms affect many different parts of your body.
What causes an allergy to chickpeas?
An allergic reaction happens when your body thinks a food or substance is harmful to your body. It reacts by making antibodies called IgE antibodies (immunoglobulin E). These antibodies cause your body to release a variety of chemicals, including histamine, which gives you allergy symptoms.
For chickpeas specifically, researchers believe your immune system reacts to chick pea globulin, prolamin or albumin, which are proteins in chickpeas. The proteins remain in chickpeas even when they’re roasted or cooked.
Who gets chickpea allergies?
Anyone can be allergic to chickpeas. But, you may be more likely to have an allergy if you:
- Have an allergy to a legume like peanuts or soybeans. One study found that 1 in 20 people with an allergy to one legume also had an allergy to another type of legume. This is because all legumes contain similar proteins.
- Have other allergies.
- Have asthma or eczema.
- Live in areas of the world where chickpeas are more abundant in the cuisine, like India and countries around the Mediterranean.
Do chickpeas trigger a peanut allergy?
No. The two are related because they’re both in the legume family and contain similar proteins. Your healthcare provider is the best person to discuss potential allergies with.
Am I allergic to chickpeas if I’m allergic to peanuts?
No, not necessarily. While they contain similar proteins, you don’t automatically have an allergy to chickpeas if you have a peanut allergy. You should let your healthcare provider know if you have a peanut or soy allergy as this could help with your diagnosis.
What are the complications of this condition?
The most serious complication of a chickpea allergy is going into anaphylactic shock. This involves a severe drop in blood pressure, severe shortness of breath and possible loss of consciousness. If you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis, visit an emergency room immediately. Most allergic reactions to chickpeas are mild and not life-threatening.
FAQs
While chickpeas aren't one of the most common food allergies, having an allergy to them is entirely possible. Some people have mild symptoms, but for a small number of people, the allergic reaction can be severe.
Can someone with a nut allergy eat chickpeas? ›
Peanuts grow underground and are considered legumes. Most individuals with peanut allergy can tolerate other legumes, such as peas, soy beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Fewer than 5-10% of peanut allergic people have an allergy to other legumes.
What allergies are in chickpeas? ›
Some people may find themselves allergic or intolerant to these legumes. Chickpeas contain proteins, similar forms of which are found in soy beans, which may trigger an immune response from the body. For those with allergies, visible and common reactions include: Skin reactions such as eczema and hives.
What is the common hidden allergen in hummus? ›
Even a small amount of sesame protein can set off a reaction. Some of the highest-risk foods for people with sesame allergy include foods that commonly contain sesame seeds or sesame oil. These include foods like hummus and sesame bagels, and also: crackers, chips, and other snack foods.
Why am I allergic to some beans but not others? ›
It is also possible to be allergic to one type of bean and no others, such as just lentil or just peanut. The amount of bean eaten, or how it is processed, may influence allergy.
Can you eat chickpeas with a soy allergy? ›
General guidelines for soy allergy
The key to a soy-free diet is to stay away from all foods or products containing soy. Soybeans are classified as a legume. Other foods in the legume family are navy, kidney, string, black, and pinto beans. Also chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, peas, carob, licorice, and peanuts.
Can I eat Chick Fil A if I'm allergic to nuts? ›
So, I'm here to inform you that the peanut oil used at Chick-fil-A is 100% refined which removes the peanut protein. The allergen is in the peanut protein, not the oil. That means that people with peanut allergies can safely eat at Chick-fil-A without worrying about reactions.
What is the rarest allergy? ›
Aquagenic Urticaria (Water Allergy)
Aquagenic urticaria, or water allergy, is an extremely rare condition. It causes individuals to develop itchy and painful hives when their skin comes into contact with water.
Can you eat hummus if you are allergic to nuts? ›
Sesame Seeds
Allergy to sesame seed occurs in some children with a nut allergy. If your child has an allergic reaction to sesame seeds these should be avoided. Hummus dip and tahini are made from sesame seeds and should be avoided in sesame seed allergy.
Do chickpeas release histamine? ›
Canned Chickpea and other legumes (beans, lentils, soy, etc.) are generally histamine liberators. In other words, they trigger the release of the body's existing histamine. They may also be high in histamine or other amines.
In a small UK study looking at 32 children with confirmed allergy to lentils, beans, chickpeas and/or green beans, 72% had allergy to one legume, with red lentil and chickpea being most common. In a Spanish study, chickpea allergy was frequently associated with lentil allergy.
Are garbanzo beans the same as chickpeas? ›
The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.) The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum.
Are many people allergic to chickpeas? ›
Chickpea allergies are a less common food allergy, but the symptoms are the same.
What is an example of a hidden food allergy? ›
Hidden allergens can also occur in processed food when an ingredient is added for a specific application; for example, when egg is used in food products and is listed on the ingredient panel as a binder, protein, or emulsifier. This may also occur when soy is used for its “texturizing” or emulsifying properties.
What happens if you only eat chickpeas? ›
You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.
Can chickpeas cause an upset stomach? ›
Eating chickpeas if you have an intolerance may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and itching of the skin. It is best to seek a doctor's advice before eating chickpeas because allergic reactions can be intense and sometimes even life-threatening.
Can you be allergic to chick? ›
You might also become allergic to live chickens or to chicken meat after many years of having no allergic reactions. Some people with chicken allergy are allergic to raw but not cooked chicken. If you suspect you have chicken allergy, a doctor, such as an allergist, can help you find out for sure.
Can you be allergic to just peas? ›
Allergies to pea are well documented, although less common than allergies to several other legumes (peanuts and soybeans). High-protein pea ingredients are being formulated into food products at a rapid rate. Several identified pea allergens share partial sequence identity with peanut and soybean proteins.
