Understanding Allergy to seafood: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Allergy to seafood

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

Seafood allergy is an abnormal response of the immune system to proteins in some marine animals. Marine animals in the seafood category include crustaceans and mollusks, such as shrimp, crab, lobster, squid, oysters, scallops, and others. Some people with this allergy react to all seafood, while others only react to certain types. Reactions range from mild symptoms to severe and even life-threatening. Even trace amounts of shellfish can cause a severe reaction in some people. Seafood allergy can develop at any age, it is more common in adults.

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Signs & symptoms

Seafood allergy symptoms usually develop within minutes to an hour of eating seafood. They may include: - Atopic dermatitis - hives, itching, or eczema. - Swelling of parts of the body, especially: lips, face, tongue, and throat. - Breathing difficulties: wheezing, nasal congestion. - Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting Seafood allergy, like other allergies, can cause a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. An anaphylactic reaction is a medical emergency, which includes the symptoms: - Airway constriction - swelling of the throat or lump in your throat. - Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure - Dizziness, or loss of consciousness

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of seafood allergy based on medical history and physical examination, as well as, additional tests including a skin test and blood test. On a skin test, the skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of proteins found in seafood. People who have seafood allergies will develop an elevated bump at the test site in their skin. A blood test can measure the immune system's response to seafood proteins by measuring certain antibodies.

Treatment

The only way to avoid an allergic reaction to seafood is not to come in contact with seafood. But despite all the effort, exposure to seafood can occur. In these cases, if the reaction is mild, the treatment includes medications like antihistamines to reduce the symptoms, such as rash and itchiness. In severe reaction (anaphylaxis), treatment is an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). People at risk for a severe allergic reaction to seafood should always carry injectable epinephrine.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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