A seafood allergy is a condition in which consuming fish and shellfish can cause allergic reactions in the body. The immune system mistakes the seafood for harmful antigens and triggers a response to it by releasing chemicals known as histamines. Seafood figures in the top eight food allergens. However, unlike milk and soy allergies, you cannot outgrow seafood allergies.
Seafood allergies are like any other allergic reaction. It is extremely important to get a diagnosis for a seafood allergy so that you know which foods to avoid. Since many dishes use seafood additives to improve flavor, knowing which seafood you are allergic to would help you avoid those foods.
There are several seafood allergy symptoms that could be easily noticed once affected. Some of these are rashes, hives, diarrhea, stomach cramps, sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, loss of consciousness, allergic rhinitis, swelling, and itching. There can be serious consequences of consuming seafood too. Just like in the case of peanuts, seafood allergies can also trigger an anaphylactic attack.
Seafood allergy reactions are very sever and therefore, if you have an allergy to seafood, it is important to know exactly which kind of seafood is harmful for you. It is possible that you may only be allergic to shellfish, or other fishes and not shellfish or all sea food in general. This is why a diagnosis would be necessary. The best seafood allergy treatment is to completely avoid the triggers, like in any other food allergies. However, sometimes it may not be possible for you to be aware of the presence of seafood or seafood additives in any of your dishes. It is highly recommended that those who are allergic to seafood should carry an injection of epinephrine with them at all times. This way, they can always be prepared for a potential anaphylactic attack. For a seafood allergy rash or hives, corticosteroid based lotions and ointments can be used.
It is true that if you are allergic to one type of fish, you may not be allergic to other kinds of fish too. Sea foods like shellfish or mollusks are most likely to cause allergies. However, even if you know the exact kind of seafood you are allergic to, it is best to approach all seafood with caution. While buying processed foods, it is most important to check the packaging for any seafood based additives. When you are dining out, it would be difficult to know about such ingredients. However, to deal with this, you can inform the restaurant management about your allergy, while placing your order.