Do I have a food allergy?

Question

I'll try to explain this as best I can.

I am 17 years old and had never had any sort of adverse reaction to eating shrimp. However, about two weeks ago, I had shrimp teriyaki at a Japanese restaurant. I ate most of the dish (I think I had one or two shrimp left) and suddenly I felt a little tightness in my throat. It wasn't stopping me from breathing or anything, but it was uncomfortable.

The odd thing was that I had eaten shrimp the week before, when I had sushi, and I had no reaction to that. About a week after this event, I ordered some japanese food, which I did not realize until the next day contained 2 shrimp dumplings. I ate all the food and there was absolutely no reaction, and when I realized this the next day I thought there was no allergy or anything.

But tonight I ordered chinese food and got a shrimp spring roll and got that throat discomfort again (although not very bad this time) Is this an allergy or could it just be psychological?

Thanks for all the answers so far.

I just wanted to add in that the discomfort of the throat goes away after about 15 minutes and that I do have one fairly strong food allergy already, to apple skin. I don't know if that changes anything...

Answer 1

is there anyhting in the shrimp roll and in the shrimp teriaky that was not in the dumplings and the sushi?

Answer 2

You may not have an allergy to shrimp but to another fish, perhaps crab meat. What you have described happened to me. There may be cross contamination, dishes being used and not cleaned to handle both types of shellfish. Serving utensils may have also been handled the same way. I would see an allergist, get a scratch test done. Or you can go to your regular doctor who can order bloodwork to determine the source of your allergy. My results showed that I have an allergy to crabmeat but NOT to shrimp or lobster. I've eaten crabmeat in the past w/o incident. I developed this allergy in my early 30's. I had been at a Chinese restuarant eating the cold shrimp that you peel. I've eaten tons of shrimp since w/o reaction. My reaction on this particular day was hives all over my body, even on the top of my head. If you react again, take some Benadryl. Be careful with the throat discomfort, that can lead to an anaphylactic episode and worst case, anaphylactic shock. This is dangerous so it would be good for you to know the source and severity of your food allergy.

Answer 3

There is a very good chance that you have developed an allergy to shrimp, or even all shellfish. It would be best to avoid shellfish until consulting your physician. My brother developed an allergy to shrimp at about your age. At first, it was mild, like you described. It has gotten so bad (he is now 22) that he can't even be in the house if someone is cooking shrimp without taking a heavy dose of Benadryl because his face swells up. He now has to carry an Epi-Pen with him at all times just in case.

It's doubtful that it's MSG. Most restaurants do NOT use it anymore. You can check with the restaurant you got it from, but it's unlikely. Schedule an appointment with your doctor for an allergy test, and avoid shellfish until then.

EDIT: I saw what you added, having other allergies does put you at risk for more food allergies. Please just be careful, it *may* be serious.

Answer 4

I have wheat and nut allergies, usually signs of an allergy are congested throats, hive outbreaks, and wanting to puke. Some rare allergies are known to pop out after puberty or to go away after puberty. This may be the case (it is very rare though), but to be 100% sure, go to your doctor. You are showing some signs.

I doubt it though, my sister had the same thing you did when she ate shrimp. Perhaps it was the powder or sauce.

Answer 5

It could be that the shrimp that gave you the reaction was contaminated with something else. I had the same sort of thing happen to me with fresh crab meat (caught non-professionally), but I'm not normally allergic to crab. Sometimes it's very difficult for restaurants to be certain their shellfish and crustaceans aren't contaminated with things like a microscopic animal that produces a toxin.

Answer 6

You could be allergic to anything IN the food you ate. It may be the shrimp, but it may be the spices or a different ingredient used. I would avoid the food again and let your doctor know.

Answer 7

You may be barking up the wrong tree. Your allergy may not be to shrimp but to MSG. Monosodium Glucomate. It is used in a lot of oriental foods. Did you also feel your heart racing or have a feeling of excitement that you couldn't explain? Lasting for about 15-30 minutes then dissappearing? Try Googling MSG allergy and see if you have the symptoms.

Answer 8

Maybe something besides the shrimp was in the foods you ate: (example: differents spices+oil)

Go see a doctor for additional help.

Answer 9

I even have severe allergic reactions to all citrus fruit, oatmeal, eggs and finished wheat. As a baby, i became into critically allergic to cows milk. I outgrew that hypersensitive reaction in my 20's. particular, you may 'outgrow' allergic reactions. i'm 50 and my nutrition allergic reactions began on the age of 5. approximately 8 years in the past, I ate some BBQ sauce that i did no longer recognize had lemon in it. i ended up in the wellness center for 3 days! A observe of warning: Many commerically arranged ingredients could have factors no longer listed on the label. by using regulation, the manufacturers do no longer ought to checklist an ingredient below 2% by using quantity! Lemon became into no longer listed on the label of BBQ sauce, yet after investigating it, i found out that particular certainly it did have lemon, yet an exceptionally small quantity..........too small to checklist on the label!

Answer 10

YEP you have allergies. I have the same thing...the tightness on the throat. And be glad, it sometimes can make you red or swell up and become very itchy... VERY VERY ITCHY..

the weird thing is, i got it when i overate on shrimps too...

sometimes my eyes even red up just by looking at it, smelling, or touching it...

bottom line = allergy..