Shellfish allergy is the most frequent food allergy among adults in the United States. Figures reveal that 0.1% of the population are children having shellfish allergy and over 2% of the general US population are adults with shellfish allergy.
It is during the adult years that shellfish allergies are likely to develop. Shellfish allergies tend to be severe, lifelong food allergies.
Symptoms of Shellfish Allergy Symptoms of shellfish allergy typically appear within minutes up to two hours of eating shellfish. The following are the signs and symptoms of shellfish allergy: Hives and eczema are some of the typical skin allergic reactions. Group of reactions like watering of eyes, itchiness and redness is known as allergic conjunctivitis. Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea may also occur. Wheezing, runny nose and coughing are also respiratory symptoms that are caused by allergy.
Angioedema: Swelling of lips, tongue, or face Severe anaphylaxis is the severe sign of shellfish allergy. Anaphylaxis could be deadly thus immediate medical assistance should be given. Shellfish allergy is the most common causes of Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis, in which the combination of eating a food allergen and exercising leads to anaphylaxis. What Are Shellfish, Anyway?
Shellfish are split into two families: mollusks and crustaceans. Oysters, squids and clams are under the family of mollusks. While lobsters, shrimps and crayfish are under the family of crustaceans. Shellfish may live in fresh or salt water - or even on land.
People who are allergic to one form of crustacean, such as shrimp, are often allergic to all other crustaceans. If you are allergic to crustaceans, you may or may not be able to eat mollusks such as clams or oysters. Allergy testing is the safest approach to select which shellfish, if any, you will be able to eat.
The allergenic protein in shellfish (tropomyosin) isn't only present in sea creatures. Individuals with shellfish allergies may also have reactions to land snails, dust mites, cockroaches, or other insects.
Understanding an Individual with Shellfish Allergies Since there is no cure for shellfish allergy currently, handling your shellfish allergy involves avoiding all shellfish and being ready for future reactions. You have to bring an emergency medication known as epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known as an Epi-Pen) which is normally recommended by the doctors. Staying away from shellfish may look effortless, but food allergens can hide in unexpected places. You will have to learn to read labels to avoid shellfish, and learn to ask questions when you eat in dining places. Shellfish and Labeling Laws: The Food Allergy Labeling Law (FALCPA) specifies crustacean shellfish as one of the big eight allergens, but not mollusks. This implies that manufacturers are not required to list the presence of clams, oysters, mussels, scallops or other mollusks in ingredient lists.
Mollusks have wide array of shellfish types so if you are allergic to crustacean shellfish, its apt to be allergic to other types. You can determine the safety of eating mollusks by having an allergy tests.
For those who have identified shellfish allergies, its best to read the content and label of the goods you are buying. Allergy to Iodine Products and Shellfish There are unverified issues of a cross reactivity between shellfish allergy and iodine/contrast allergy - some old medical forms still list this incorrectly as a contraindication. Radiocontrast materials are iodine-containing products and they don't have to be avoided when you have shellfish allergy. It is possible to be allergic to iodine or radiocontrast material, but those allergies are not associated with shellfish allergies, so you do not need to fret about cross-reactions.
Signs and Symptoms of Shellfish Poisoning The symptoms of shellfish poisoning (also referred to as paralytic shellfish poisoning and red tide) commonly happen within 30 minutes of eating tainted shellfish, and may be confused with an allergic reaction. Saxitoxin is a powerful toxin that mostly causes shellfish poisoning. This toxin is released by algae organisms located in the molluscs, clams and oysters. Mollusks are the ones that have the toxin and not the lobsters and fishes. Prickling or burning sensation in the mouth or extremities, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the common allergic symptoms of this shellfish poisoning. Shellfish poisoning is something that must not be pushed aside as this could lead to life-threatening circumstances. If you encounter any of these symptoms after eating shellfish, seek emergency medical treatment.
It is during the adult years that shellfish allergies are likely to develop. Shellfish allergies tend to be severe, lifelong food allergies.
Symptoms of Shellfish Allergy Symptoms of shellfish allergy typically appear within minutes up to two hours of eating shellfish. The following are the signs and symptoms of shellfish allergy: Hives and eczema are some of the typical skin allergic reactions. Group of reactions like watering of eyes, itchiness and redness is known as allergic conjunctivitis. Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea may also occur. Wheezing, runny nose and coughing are also respiratory symptoms that are caused by allergy.
Angioedema: Swelling of lips, tongue, or face Severe anaphylaxis is the severe sign of shellfish allergy. Anaphylaxis could be deadly thus immediate medical assistance should be given. Shellfish allergy is the most common causes of Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis, in which the combination of eating a food allergen and exercising leads to anaphylaxis. What Are Shellfish, Anyway?
Shellfish are split into two families: mollusks and crustaceans. Oysters, squids and clams are under the family of mollusks. While lobsters, shrimps and crayfish are under the family of crustaceans. Shellfish may live in fresh or salt water - or even on land.
People who are allergic to one form of crustacean, such as shrimp, are often allergic to all other crustaceans. If you are allergic to crustaceans, you may or may not be able to eat mollusks such as clams or oysters. Allergy testing is the safest approach to select which shellfish, if any, you will be able to eat.
The allergenic protein in shellfish (tropomyosin) isn't only present in sea creatures. Individuals with shellfish allergies may also have reactions to land snails, dust mites, cockroaches, or other insects.
Understanding an Individual with Shellfish Allergies Since there is no cure for shellfish allergy currently, handling your shellfish allergy involves avoiding all shellfish and being ready for future reactions. You have to bring an emergency medication known as epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known as an Epi-Pen) which is normally recommended by the doctors. Staying away from shellfish may look effortless, but food allergens can hide in unexpected places. You will have to learn to read labels to avoid shellfish, and learn to ask questions when you eat in dining places. Shellfish and Labeling Laws: The Food Allergy Labeling Law (FALCPA) specifies crustacean shellfish as one of the big eight allergens, but not mollusks. This implies that manufacturers are not required to list the presence of clams, oysters, mussels, scallops or other mollusks in ingredient lists.
Mollusks have wide array of shellfish types so if you are allergic to crustacean shellfish, its apt to be allergic to other types. You can determine the safety of eating mollusks by having an allergy tests.
For those who have identified shellfish allergies, its best to read the content and label of the goods you are buying. Allergy to Iodine Products and Shellfish There are unverified issues of a cross reactivity between shellfish allergy and iodine/contrast allergy - some old medical forms still list this incorrectly as a contraindication. Radiocontrast materials are iodine-containing products and they don't have to be avoided when you have shellfish allergy. It is possible to be allergic to iodine or radiocontrast material, but those allergies are not associated with shellfish allergies, so you do not need to fret about cross-reactions.
Signs and Symptoms of Shellfish Poisoning The symptoms of shellfish poisoning (also referred to as paralytic shellfish poisoning and red tide) commonly happen within 30 minutes of eating tainted shellfish, and may be confused with an allergic reaction. Saxitoxin is a powerful toxin that mostly causes shellfish poisoning. This toxin is released by algae organisms located in the molluscs, clams and oysters. Mollusks are the ones that have the toxin and not the lobsters and fishes. Prickling or burning sensation in the mouth or extremities, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the common allergic symptoms of this shellfish poisoning. Shellfish poisoning is something that must not be pushed aside as this could lead to life-threatening circumstances. If you encounter any of these symptoms after eating shellfish, seek emergency medical treatment.
About the Author:
Tonci Vulin is actually not the one that struggled with shellfish intolerance and uncovered a way to get rid of this. You can do that same and enjoy a quality life.