Understanding Shellfish Allergy Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, if you suffer from shellfish allergies, your symptoms may include swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat; swelling of other parts of your body; tingling in your mouth; itching, hives or eczema; breathing difficulties or nasal congestion; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea; and lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting. In rare cases, you may also experience anaphylaxis, an extremely dangerous reaction characterized by shock, rapid pulse, a severe drop in blood pressure, breathing difficulties and dizziness leading to loss of consciousness. If you suspect you have a shellfish allergy, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
  
  

Treatments

• If your shellfish allergies are mild, your doctor may recommend treating allergic outbreaks with an oral antihistamine product such as Benadryl or Clarinex. These medications work by blocking the activity of a substance in your body called histamine, which can trigger itching and breathing difficulties in response to shellfish exposure. If your shellfish reaction includes symptoms of anaphylactic shock, you will need emergency treatment. As a rule, doctors use an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) for this purpose. If you have experienced previous incidents of anaphylaxis, your doctor may recommend that you carry an injectable dose of epinephrine with you 24 hours a day, as well as a bracelet, card or note that identifies you as a sufferer of life-threatening allergies. If you experience anaphylaxis and use epinephrine, make sure you seek out follow-up emergency care.
  
  

Prevention as Cure

• The only true cure for shellfish allergies is prevention through the avoidance of allergy-causing foods. While you may easily avoid foods labeled as shellfish, there are still a number of ways you may be accidentally exposed. To protect yourself, make sure that you are aware of the ingredients in anything you eat or drink. Even if you have used a product before, re-check its ingredients before using it again, since manufacturers may have changed them and added a shellfish source. If you eat in restaurants, ask for a specific list of the ingredients in any dish before you order.
  
  If you are in an environment where shellfish is cooked, there is a chance that its allergy-causing compounds can become airborne and cause a reaction. There is also a chance that non-shellfish items on the menu may become contaminated with shellfish. Be aware that in some cases a restaurant may deep fry its non-shellfish items in oil that is also used to prepare shellfish. You may also experience a reaction to shellfish if you handle it or otherwise help in its preparation. Consult your doctor or allergy specialist for additional information on shellfish allergies.