Shellfish Allergy Symptoms: Treatment For Allergy To Shellfish

Many people suffer from sea food allergy. Shellfish allergy is most common form of seafood allergy found in adults, especially in America. And among adults it is more common in women.

Allergy To Shellfish

Shellfish allergy is caused by two classes: 1) Molluscs and 2) Crustaceans.

Molluscs includes

• Clams
• Mussels
• Squid.
• Octopus
• Cuttlefish
• Conch
• Scallops
• Oysters.

Crustaceans include

• Lobster
• Shrimps
• Crabs
• Sea urchins
• Prawns.

Shellfish Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms manifests immediately after eating shellfish.

• Urticaria ( hives all over the body)
• Itching
• Swelling of lips, below the eyes, lower legs etc.
• Vomiting
• Nasal congestion.
• Chest tightness.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe form of shellfish allergic reaction; here the patient finds difficulty in breathing, his blood pressure is low, he feels dizzy and eventually he may become unconscious.

It is a life threatening condition. Patient needs immediate medical attention.

Causes Of Shellfish Allergy

• It is caused due to malfunction of our immune system.
• Tropomycin is the protein present in shellfish which most commonly cause the allergy symptoms.
• Gelatin in the skin and bones of shellfish are also responsible for shellfish allergy.

How Long The Symptoms Of Shellfish Allergy Last?

Once you are allergic to a particular shellfish, you will stay allergic to the whole group of shellfish for life time. The symptoms may recede after few days or a week.

Treatment For Shellfish Allergy

Treatment will depend on the severity of the allergy.

In most mild form of shellfish allergy, doctors prescribe antihistamines. It reduces itching and rash and angioneurotic edema.

• In more severe cases of anaphylaxis reaction, doctors recommend life saving drugs.
• Oat meal bath is a simple home remedy to soothe itching and urticaria.
• Avoid shellfish food and its allied products.
• Avoid going to fish markets as some people are hypersensitive to airborne fish particles.

The old proverb ‘prevention is better than cure’ is very true for shellfish allergy.

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