Seafood Allergy: Symptoms And Treatments

Seafood allergy is one of the most common types of allergies. Molluscs and crustaceans can make the immune system work more effectively against allergens, thus causing mild or severe reactions. A severe allergic reaction can be extremely dangerous, so understanding its symptoms is important to avoid serious complications.

When such a substance enters the body, the immune system decides whether it needs to fight it or let it through. In shellfish allergy, the immune system recognizes the protein as harmful and reacts to protect the body. Sometimes these reactions can develop in such a serious way that they are likely to be life-threatening.

What exactly does a seafood allergy mean?

As stated in the  Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology , crustacean allergy is caused by a protein in certain seafood. The most common allergenic seafood are mollusks and crustaceans.

When the body detects that allergen, it triggers a defense reaction that can lead to mild symptoms such as hives or mild swelling. It can also lead to severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis.

If a family has a shellfish allergy, it is one of the biggest risk factors for the possible development of an allergy. Such allergies are also more common in adults than children, although they can occur at any stage of life. Women are also more sensitive to seafood than men.

Symptoms of crustacean allergy

As we mentioned earlier, allergy symptoms can be mild or severe. Generally, the first signs of an allergic reaction appear about an hour after eating the seafood. Typical symptoms include swelling and itching of the lips and / or tongue. 

In more severe cases, breathing difficulties as well as intestinal problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting may occur. Such a reaction usually requires medication as well as taking probiotics, which have been found to help control persistent diarrhea.

Other possible symptoms include dizziness, weakness and fainting or loss of consciousness. If you experience such symptoms, see your doctor and take the prescribed medication if necessary.

Anaphylaxis

Crustacean allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening side effect and requires immediate treatment. Adrenaline spikes in the form of an epipen are the first and most important treatment, as  confirmed by a study published in Jornal de Pediatria .

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing due to swelling of the throat, drop in blood pressure, confusion, dizziness, fainting and loss of consciousness.

What complications can a seafood allergy cause?

There are certain diseases whose illness can significantly aggravate a person’s predisposition to anaphylactic shock. For example, if a person has asthma or has ever had an allergic reaction to shellfish, or a family history of food-allergic anaphylaxis, this hypersensitivity is likely to become a more difficult problem.

For this reason, it  is extremely important to read the ingredient list of all foods purchased. That way, you can ensure that there is no cross-contamination or remnants of ingredients in the food that can trigger an allergic reaction.

If you have a serious seafood allergy, you may need to stay away from factories that process and produce seafood. The smell of crustaceans or fumes generated during preparation can also cause adverse reactions.

Treatment of shellfish allergy

There is currently no perfect way to treat seafood allergy. This food allergy is a process that, if it appears, will likely last a lifetime.

You can really just avoid eating crustaceans and inhaling the fumes they make. However, this only works if you have already been diagnosed with a seafood allergy.

If you go to a restaurant,  make sure the menu includes an allergen list. It allows you to see which foods contain seafood and which do not.

Read the food ingredient list carefully to make sure the food is not packaged or processed in a factory that also processes seafood. If this is the case, it is very likely that the food contains crustacean residues that can be dangerous to health.

Children’s seafood allergy

The development of crustacean allergies is more common in adults than in children, although childhood allergies are also possible. If you notice that your child reacts negatively after eating seafood,  we recommend that you carry an epipen in case of an emergency. This can help save a child’s life by preventing anaphylactic shock from happening.

In such a case, caregivers should be very careful to ensure that the child does not eat seafood or allergenic foods. However, if your child develops hypersensitivity symptoms such as swelling of the mouth, itching, or inflammation the first time you eat, it is best to seek first aid.

How can allergic reactions be prevented?

If you or your child have a seafood allergy, follow these helpful tips to prevent potential exposure.

Check the list of food ingredients

Make sure the food you buy from the store  does not contain allergens. So read the list of food ingredients carefully. This way you can avoid problems.

Be careful when eating outside

The menu on restaurants usually has a section highlighting possible allergens in the food. However, it is always a good idea to tell the waiter about the allergy so that he or she can take the necessary precautionary measures to avoid cross-contamination of food.

Cross – contamination

People with food allergies can get an allergic reaction by eating food prepared in a bowl containing the allergen  or using the same cutlery. Thus, shellfish do not necessarily need to be eaten to produce a reaction or anaphylaxis. It is sufficient that the food has only touched the same surface on which the seafood was prepared. Hygiene is therefore extremely important.

Seafood allergy is a food related problem

As we have already said,  shellfish allergy can be life-threatening if precautionary measures are not followed. For this reason, it is always important to read the list of ingredients in foods and see a doctor if you think you have had an allergic reaction.

If your fears are true, be sure to always carry your epipen if you ever need it. Keeping it up is also important for caregivers of children with shellfish allergies, who need to make sure the child stays away from potential allergens.