Living with Shellfish Allergies

Are you allergic to shellfish? If you are you are in common company, because 2 percent of the population of the US is allergic to shellfish. All shellfish are not created equal! You might be able to eat one type of shellfish and be very allergic to another. One person's allergies might be mild, while another person's could cause him/her to stop breathing.

Some of the animals that are classified as shellfish are clams, shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, octopus and squid. The signs and symptoms of an allergy to shellfish may include itching; hives; swelling of the face, lips, tongue; generalized swelling anywhere on the body; wheezing; tingling of the mouth; dizziness; fainting; and swelling of the mouth, and airway making it difficult or impossible to breathe-this is a state of anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylaxis is a state of shock this is a life threatening condition that requires an immediate injection of epinephrine; the patient must go to the closest Emergency Room available. Anaphylaxis is characterized by an obstructed airway due to swelling of the throat; shock-related to a sudden drop in blood pressure; dizziness; rapid pulse; and loss of consciousness.

Every food allergy, including those related to shellfish is caused by an immune system response. When you are allergic, your immune system produces antibodies to protect the body from certain proteins that the body has identified as harmful. These proteins are actually harmless, but have been mistaken by the immune system identifies them as harmful invaders. The next time you ingest the food that contains the harmful proteins, your immune system releases chemicals called histamines that cause an allergic response, which may be a mild rash or a full blown anaphylactic reaction.