Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsContact DermatitisCoconut Food AllergyCross-Reactive AllergyDiagnosis and Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Contact Dermatitis
Coconut Food Allergy
Cross-Reactive Allergy
Diagnosis and Treatment
Coconut allergy is relatively uncommon, and coconut allergy symptoms can vary depending on whether the exposure is external or external.Most cases involve contact with shampoos or skincare products that contain coconut oil, triggering a skin reaction known asallergic contact dermatitis.
Less commonly, a person may have afood allergyto coconut, causing symptoms such as rash or hives, upset stomach, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and facial swelling.Some coconut allergies are not a"true" allergybut rather across-reactive responseto other foods you are allergic to, such as almonds, walnuts, and other tree nuts.
When to Call 911
Coconut and Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Localized allergic reactions on the skin, called allergic contact dermatitis, are more common than coconut food allergies.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a form ofeczemathat occurs when an allergy-causing substance, called anallergen, comes into contact with the skin. It typically causes a delayed reaction (classified as type 4 hypersensitivity) that causes an outbreak of symptoms within 48 to 72 hours.
When contact occurs, the allergen sets off an abnormal immune response in which specialized white blood cells in the skin (calledT-cells) release inflammatory chemicals (calledcytokines) into surrounding tissues.
This causes localized symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including:
Products to Avoid
Coconut oilis the main cause of allergic contact dermatitis. People may experience a reaction when applying coconut oil (or skin care products that actively market coconut oil as an ingredient) to their skin.
However, there are many skin and hair care products made with compounds derived from coconut oil that arenotmarketed as coconut oil. These include coconut-oil-derived compounds such as:
These compounds are used asemulsifiers(that hold ingredients together),surfactants(that decrease surface tension), and foaming agents in a wide range of over-the-counter products, including:
If you have a known or suspected allergy to coconut oil, be sure to check product labels and avoid any with an ingredient called “cocamide.”
In occupational settings, coconut oil-derived compounds like cocamide DEA, capryldiethanolamine, and sodium cocoamphopropionate are commonly used for skin barrier creams and industrial cleansers.
A food allergy to coconut is rare, affecting roughly 0.39% of the U.S. population. Adults are twice as likely to have a true coconut allergy than children, half of whom seek medical care when a reaction occurs.
As uncommon as coconut allergy is, symptoms are often severe with 40% of adults or children needing anepinephrine(adrenaline) injection to counter a severe reaction.
What Causes a Coconut Allergy?
The release of IgE sets off a chain reaction in which inflammatory chemicals likehistamineandprostaglandinsflood tissues and the bloodstream, triggering whole-body symptoms like:
The reaction can occur within minutes or hours, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.
Foods to Avoid
Avoiding coconut can be difficult because certain foods will list coconut on their labels, while others will use coconut derivatives that may not be listed or readily recognized as coconut.
If you have a known or suspected allergy to coconut, check product labels and avoid foods whose ingredients include:
While coconut is readily recognized in foods things like macaroons, ambrosia salad, Almond Joy candy bars, and piña coladas, coconut products can sometimes be hidden in grocery store and restaurant foods like:
If you’re not sure if a food contains coconut, reach out to the manufacturer or restaurant staff to check.
Coconut and Food Allergen Labelling
Federal law requires that all tree nuts be declared on product labels under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. As such, coconut must be listed on product labels if used as an ingredient.
This does not include highly refined tree nut oils which have a low potential for food allergies.
Coconut Cross-Reactivity
Although some people have a “true” allergy to coconut, others experience allergy symptoms due tocross-reactivity. Cross-reactivity occurs when an allergenic protein in one substance is similar to a protein found in another substance.
Coconut contains multiple allergens such as Coc n 1, Coc n 2, and Coc n 4 proteins. Foods with proteins similar to Coc n 1, Coc n 2, and Coc n 4 can cause a cross-reactive allergy, the most common of which include:
Another substance with proteins similar to Coc n 1, Coc n 2, and Coc n 4 islatex. Therefore, if you have a truelatex allergy, you might also experience allergic contact dermatitis to coconut oil or coconut oil-derived compounds in shampoo or skin care products.
Diagnosing and Treating Coconut Allergy
If you suspect you have a coconut allergy, you can be referred to a specialist called an allergist for testing and treatment. Coconut allergy can be diagnosed with differentallergy tests, including:
If coconut is confirmed to be the cause of your allergies, every effort should be made to avoid coconut in any form.
Your allergist may also recommend a procedure calledallergy immunotherapyin which you are given a series of injections, oral drops, or dissolvable sublingual (under-the-tongue) films that gradually desensitize you to an allergen and reduce the risk of anaphylaxis. The duration of treatment can vary depending on the severity of your symptoms,
If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, you would be prescribed several epinephrine autoinjectors (known asEpiPens) to carry with you in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
Summary
Coconut allergy is very rare. If you have a coconut allergy, you may experience symptoms after eating foods that contain coconut. These may include rash and hives, stomach upset, wheezing or coughing, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and face.
After exposure to skincare products and shampoos containing coconut, contact dermatitis is more common. This may appear as an itchy, blistering rash.
If you think you might have a coconut allergy, you will need allergy testing to confirm a diagnosis. People with coconut allergies need to avoid eating anything that contains coconut. Most product labels will list coconut as a potential allergen. Look for any form of coconut including things like coconut milk and coconut sugar.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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