Shrimp allergy is a common food allergy, but it's much more common in adults than in babies and young children. This means shrimp allergies tend to develop later in life. Here's what parents need to know about shrimp allergy, and other shellfish allergies. Normally, our immune systems defend and protect us from harmful invaders like certain viruses and bacteria. But when someone has a shrimp allergy, their immune system mistakenly treats the protein in shrimp as a harmful invader. Their immune system makes special allergy antibodies called IgE antibodies to shrimp proteins to help fight them off.
These antibodies trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction whenever the person consumes shrimp. Most shrimp allergies involve a protein called tropomyosin. It's also a good idea to carry an over-the-counter OTC antihistamine, as this can help treat mild allergy symptoms. Use antihistamines after — not as a replacement for — the epinephrine shot during life-threatening reactions.
If allergy testing shows that you have a shellfish allergy, you must not eat shellfish. You also must not eat any foods that might contain shellfish as ingredients.
Anyone who is sensitive to the smell of cooking shellfish should avoid restaurants and other areas where shellfish is being cooked. Always read food labels to see if a food contains shellfish. Manufacturers of foods sold in the United States must state whether foods contain any of the top eight most common allergens, including crustacean shellfish.
The label should list "shellfish" in the ingredient list or say "Contains shellfish" after the list. Some foods look OK from the ingredient list, but while being made they can come in contact with fish. This is called cross-contamination. Look for advisory statements such as "May contain fish," "Processed in a facility that also processes fish," or "Manufactured on equipment also used for fish.
Manufacturers also do not have to list mollusk shellfish ingredients because mollusk shellfish clams, mussels, oysters, or scallops are not considered a major food allergen.
When labels say a food contains shellfish, they refer to crustacean shellfish. Contact the company to see about cross-contamination risk with mollusks. Cross-contamination often happens in restaurants. In kitchens, shellfish can get into a food product because the staff use the same surfaces, utensils like knives, cutting boards, or pans , or oil to prepare both shellfish and other foods. This is particularly common in seafood restaurants, so some people find it safer to avoid these restaurants.
Shellfish is also used in a lot of Asian cooking, so there's a risk of cross-contamination in Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese restaurants.
Rarely, the medication can lead to an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, a heart attack, a sharp increase in blood pressure and fluid buildup in the lungs, but these adverse effects are generally caused by errors in dosing which is unlikely to occur with use of epinephrine autoinjectors. Some people with certain pre-existing conditions might be at higher risk for adverse effects and should speak to their allergist about epinephrine use.
Your allergist will provide you with a written emergency treatment plan that outlines which medications should be administered and when note that between 10 and 20 percent of life-threatening severe allergic reactions have no skin symptoms. Be sure you understand how to properly and promptly use an epinephrine auto-injector.
Once you have used your epinephrine auto-injector, immediately call and tell the dispatcher that you used epinephrine and that more may be needed from the emergency responders. Other medications, such as antihistamine and corticosteroids, may be prescribed to treat mild symptoms of a food allergy, but it is important to note that there is no substitute for epinephrine — this is the only medication that can reverse the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis.
If your child has been prescribed an auto-injector, be sure that you and those responsible for supervising your child understand how to use it. Shellfish If your mouth itches, or if you develop hives or a stomachache after eating crab, lobster or other shellfish, you may have a shellfish allergy, a condition that affects nearly 7 million Americans.
On this page. Overview Shellfish is among the most common food allergens. Find expert care with an Allergist. Find an Allergist.
Symptoms Within the shellfish family, the crustacean group shrimp, lobster and crab causes the greatest number of allergic reactions. Shellfish allergies most frequently develop in adulthood but can affect children. Diagnosis Diagnosing shellfish allergies can be complicated. Management and Treatment Once a shellfish allergy is identified, the best management is to avoid the food.
Managing a severe food reaction with epinephrine Shellfish is among the most common food allergens. But all food allergies can be dangerous.
Submit site search Need An Allergist? What Does An Allergist Treat? Who Gets Asthma? Close Modal Close Modal. Stay away from steam tables or buffets. Avoid eating at a seafood restaurant or shopping in a fish market. Some people react even if they inhale steam or vapor from cooking shellfish. Cross-contamination also is possible in establishments that serve seafood.
Read food labels carefully. Companies are required to disclose whether their food product contains shellfish. Let people know. When flying, contact the airline in advance to find out whether any fish or shellfish dishes will be prepared and served on the flight. Remind a host or hostess of your allergy when you reply to an invitation to a dinner party.
You or your child should wear a medical bracelet or necklace containing your allergy information. Sometimes your immune system will identify a substance as harmful, even though it isn't. When this happens, it's called an allergic reaction.
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