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Celery

Author: Hon A/Prof Marius Rademaker, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 1999.


Common name: Celery
Botanical name: Apium graveolans
Family: Belongs to the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) family which includes angelica, carrot, coriander, dill, fennel, parsnip and parsley, amongst many others.
Origin: Originally from the Mediterranean but is now grown commercially over the whole world.
Description: A biennial plant with crisp succulant stalks, preferring to grow in a cool climate. Sewn from seed.

Uses: The leaves and stalks are used in salads, as a vegetable and made into soup. Celery is thought to have some anti-inflammatory activity and some varieties appear to have beneficial effects on schistosomiasis, a tropical parasitic infestation with a blood fluke. One nutritional survey found a lower risk of stomach cancer in people who ate raw vegetables including celery.
Allergens: Celery contains furanocoumarins, including xanthotoxin, bergapten and 5-methoxypsoralen, which are chemicals that react to sunlight.
Allergy: Unfortunately celery can cause a number of skin reactions. If celery comes into contact with the skin, it can make the skin very sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity); even a small amount of subsequent sun exposure can cause blistering. It seems to particularly affect pickers, canners and food store workers. Celery is prone to infection with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (pink rot) which significantly increases the available amount of photo-sensitising chemicals. Occasionally, ingestion of these chemicals in celery soup can cause generalised sun sensitivity; several people have developed severe sunburn after eating celery soup and then going out in the sun or to a tanning salon. Celery can also cause rashes unrelated to sun exposure. There have been reports of allergic contact dermatitis (eczema), acute urticaria (hives), angio-edema (skin swelling) and anaphylaxis (severe allergy resulting in collapse) due to celery, both from direct contact with the skin and after ingestion. Fortunately these are rare.
Celery oil and celery root are also known causes of acute food-induced anaphylaxis.
Cross reactions:  
Other information:  
Patch test:  

 

References

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  • Perez-Pimiento AJ, Moneo I, Santaolalla M, de Paz S, Fernandez-Parra B, Dominguez-Lazaro AR. Anaphylactic reaction to young garlic. Allergy. 1999 Jun;54(6):626-9.
  • Kanerva L, Estlander T, Jolanki R. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis. 1996 Sep;35(3):157-62.
  • Boffa MJ, Gilmour E, Ead RD. Celery soup causing severe phototoxicity during PUVA therapy. Br J Dermatol. 1996 Aug;135(2):334.
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  • Vale PT.Prevention of phytophotodermatitis from celery. Dermatitis. 1993 Aug;29(2):108.
  • Groot BJ, Belinfante-van Gelder ME, Jans HW.. [An epidemic of dermatitis caused by blanched celery]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1992 Jun 20;136(25):1210-3.
  • van den Akker TW, Roesyanto-Mahadi ID, van Toorenenbergen AW, van Joost T. Contact allergy to spices. Contact Dermatitis. 1990 May;22(5):267-72.
  • Fleming D.Dermatitis in grocery workers associated with high natural concentrations of furanocoumarins in celery. Allergy Proc. 1990 May-Jun;11(3):125-7.
  • Seligman PJ, Mathias CG, O'Malley MA, Beier RC, Fehrs LJ, Serrill WS, Halperin WE. Phytophotodermatitis from celery among grocery store workers. Arch Dermatol. 1987 Nov;123(11):1478-82.
  • Berkley SF, Hightower AW, Beier RC, Fleming DW, Brokopp CD, Ivie GW, Broome CV. Dermatitis in grocery workers associated with high natural concentrations of furanocoumarins in celery. Ann Intern Med. 1986 Sep;105(3):351-5.
  • Borghijs A, Roelandts R. Phototoxic dermatitis from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infected celery. Contact Dermatitis. 1984 Jul;11(1):59.
  • Kremser M, Lindemayr W. [Celery allergy (celery contact urticaria syndrome) and relation to allergies to other plant antigens].Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1983 Dec 9;95(23):838-43.
  • Austad J, Kavli G. Phototoxic dermatitis caused by celery infected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Contact Dermatitis. 1983 Nov;9(6):448-51.
  • Kauppinen K, Kousa M, Reunala T. Aromatic plants--a cause of severe attacks of angio-edema and urticaria. Contact Dermatitis. 1980 Jun;6(4):251-4.

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