What is it about shellfish that makes people allergic to them? And if someone is allergic to shellfish can they eat regular fish?
2007-01-03 07:17:23 · 5 answers · asked by darth_hatidious 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Like fish, shellfish allergies may be one of the easiest to avoid. However, they can cause the most serious allergic reactions and the allergies are usually lifelong. The initial allergic reaction to shellfish most often occurs during adulthood. The protein in the flesh of shellfish is what most commonly causes the allergic reaction, however it is also possible to have an allergic reaction to shellfish gelatin, made from the skin and bones of shellfish.
Unlike fish, if a person is allergic to shellfish, they usually must avoid all types of shellfish, as most types will cause an allergic reaction. This includes all species of crab, lobster, shrimp, prawn, and all types of mollusks (clams, mussels and scallops).
Luckily there are not many foods where shellfish is a hidden ingredients. Of course, shellfish are to be avoided by those who follow strict Kosher dietary customs and therefore food labeled Kosher should be free of shellfish.
Cross contamination can occur and it is imperative to be more aware when eating out at restaurants. Always check with the chef to make sure the shellfish is not cooked on the same skillet or in the same oil as other food
2007-01-03 07:20:37 · answer #1 · answered by Diablos 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I developed an allergy to shellfish when I was 18 (i'm 38 now). just got sick eating a mussel and thought it was just a bad one but it happened again...then with other shellfish over time with shrimp being the last one to have an allergic reaction to.
at a time I could eat shrimp but no other shellfish
I also seem to have a slight reaction to salmon but I can eat any whitefish
not sure why so many people are allergic to these
2007-01-03 07:22:08 · answer #2 · answered by UpNorth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I beleive there is Iodine in the shellfish that causes the reaction.
Just for this reason you should always tell your MD that you are allergic to shellfish. They will make a note that you cannot receive IV contrast for imaging tests (CT scan for example) as these dyes have a fair amount of iodine in them. You could go into anaphylactic shock. Very bad.
2007-01-03 07:22:25 · answer #3 · answered by queenie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to take some benedryl as long as you havent taken any other type of medication that would react badly with this one.. or as long as it has been 4-6 hours since the last time you took medicine. If the benedryl does not help with in 30 minutes or so, I would go to the emergency room. Tightening of the throat is a severe allergic reaction and you need to get seen by a doctor asap. In the hospital they will probably give you benedryl to try and stop the reaction. This sounds severe and I would be worrying too about going to sleep.
2016-03-29 06:12:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically the issue is in individual genetics (both of the person prone to allergy and of the shellfish proteins). It is risky to eat regular fish.
2007-01-03 07:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by Vesna G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋