A chickpea allergy isn’t one of the most common allergies, but it’s possible. Chickpeas are in the legume family and you’re slightly more at risk of being allergic if you have an allergy to peanuts or soybeans. Allergic reaction symptoms vary, but some people can experience life-threatening reactions.
A chickpea allergy is when you have an allergic reaction to eating (or touching) chickpeas. Chickpeas also go by the name garbanzo beans. They’re a type of legume like peanuts, lentils and soybeans.
Allergic reactions happen when your immune system mistakenly believes something is harmful to your body. In the case of a chickpea allergy, your body believes chickpeas are a threat, so it responds by releasing a chemical called histamine. The histamine gives you allergy symptoms like itchy skin, hives or difficulty breathing. Some people experience life-threatening allergic reactions to foods, although a life-threatening reaction to chickpeas is rare.
People with symptoms of a chickpea allergy should avoid chickpeas and foods that contain them (like hummus). An allergist can determine if you have an allergy to other foods in the legume family. This can occur since all legumes contain similar proteins.
Chickpea allergies aren’t one of the more common legume allergies. Peanut and soybean allergies tend to be the most common. The exact number of people with a chickpea allergy is unknown, but researchers believe it’s more common in countries where eating chickpeas is more prevalent.
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Everyone experiences symptoms a little differently. Some of the most common chickpea allergy symptoms are:
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.
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.
Anyone can be allergic to chickpeas. But, you may be more likely to have an allergy if you:
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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.
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.
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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.
Contact a healthcare provider if you believe you have an allergy to chickpeas. They can perform allergy tests to diagnose a chickpea allergy. Some of the tests include:
Diagnosing a chickpea allergy can be difficult. You should let your healthcare provider know if you’ve ever had a reaction to other legumes or beans. You may also want to ask them about any other foods you should avoid to prevent further allergic reactions.
The best way to treat a chickpea allergy is to avoid eating them entirely. Some common foods that may contain chickpeas are:
Remember, you’ll want to avoid anything that contains garbanzo beans (it’s the same as chickpeas). Read the ingredients labels before buying packaged soups, snacks or other products. If you go out to eat, check with your server before ordering foods that may contain chickpeas. Keep in mind you can have a reaction to even the tiniest amounts of chickpeas, so it’s better to be cautious.
Your healthcare provider may also prescribe you an auto-injector epinephrine (EpiPen®) to use in an emergency. Otherwise, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antihistamines should help treat mild to moderate allergy symptoms.
It may be wise to visit an allergist so they can determine the extent of your allergies. People with chickpea allergies may have allergies to legumes and beans that contain similar proteins like peas, black beans and kidney beans. This is known as cross-reactivity.
No, you can’t prevent food allergies like a chickpea allergy. If you’re allergic to peanuts, soybeans or lentils, you may have a higher chance of being allergic to chickpeas.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction after eating chickpeas. They can help determine if chickpeas are the cause. Since having a reaction to other legumes is common, they may want to perform additional tests to see how you react to other foods.
If you experience severe symptoms like breathing difficulties or feeling like you may pass out, go to your nearest emergency department for treatment.
No, chickpeas aren’t considered inflammatory. Most healthcare providers consider chickpeas to be an anti-inflammatory food. This means they can help fight harmful inflammation in your body. They’re also high in fiber and a good source of protein.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
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. Contact a healthcare provider if you notice any allergy symptoms after eating foods containing chickpeas. They can help diagnose the allergy and test you for allergies to similar foods like lentils or soybeans. Avoiding foods that contain chickpeas is the best treatment.
Last reviewed on 12/13/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy