Shellfish Allergy

Shellfish is a type of seafood and adults are commonly allergic to seafood. Shellfish allergy is the most common allergy and the people who are allergic to shellfish can also react to a number of different types of shellfish, such as prawns, crabs, scallops, mussels, shrimps, lobsters, crayfish, and clams.

People who have one type of shellfish allergy can often be allergic to other types, too. Some people with shellfish allergy can also react to the vapors from cooking shellfish. Recent studies have shown that protein tropomyosin in the shellfish may be culprit in causing shellfish allergy reactions.

The symptoms of a shellfish allergy are almost the same as other food allergies. These allergic reactions include:

Swelling of the face or throat; hives; wheezing; nasal congestion; itching; dizziness; shortness of breath; upset stomach; fever; muscle paralysis; tingling of the lips; loss of balance; heartburn; gas; vomiting or diarrhea; light headedness; fainting; sudden fall of blood pressure; anaphylaxis; difficulty thinking; an intense sense of fear; tightness in the chest.

In order to avoid shellfish allergy one must avoid the foods that contain any of the following ingredients:

Abalone; clams including cherrystone; coral; crab; crawfish, crayfish, ecrevisse; cockle; lobster, langouste, langousine, scampo; mussels; oyster; sea urchin; scallops; shrimp.

Spoiled fish can contain histamines in their tissues. A shellfish allergy will occur is a person suffering from shellfish allergy, due to this chemical. One must also be careful with fried foods. Some restaurants use the same oil to fry shrimp, chicken and French fries. Keep in mind that imitation shellfish may also contain shellfish.

Shellfish allergy will clear itself within 2 hours after exposure, although a delay of 24 hours is possible.

For treatment of shellfish allergy one must follow the following guidelines:

Find out what foods to avoid if you suffer from shellfish allergy.
Individuals, who have had shellfish allergy, or positive skin tests to fish, avoid all fish.
If you are suffering from shellfish allergy symptoms, strictly avoiding shellfish and food containing shellfish is the only way to prevent the symptoms.
Avoid eating all shellfish. These include clams, crayfish, shrimp, lobster and snails.
Read labels correctly, particularly on processed Asian-style foods, as they are more commonly a cause for shellfish allergy.
Before attempting to eat shellfish of an unrelated group, get it tested.
Limit exposure to cooking vapors. It can cause a shellfish allergy reaction in sensitive individuals.
Add a supplement of vitamin C in your diet. These supplements can help your body to deal with shellfish allergy by supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Avoid handling shellfish. Because it can also cause shellfish allergy reactions.
Use medications to get relief from shellfish allergy in a similar manner to any food allergy.

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