Seafood Allergies – Learn More About This Common Food Allergy

Seafood is any type of seafood considered to be food by most humans, usually including shellfish and fish. Shellfish mainly consist of different species of mollusk, crustaceans, shrimp, and other aquatic invertebrates. It includes all species of the phylum Cephalopoda, which includes squids, lobsters, crayfish, snails, and other cephalopods. These animals are omnivores; they feed on both meat and plant matter. Most seafood is harvested from the waters around Asia, with Canada, the United States, and certain regions of South America including Mexico, being the prominent sources. A fish such as tuna, salmon, trout, halibut, and many other species of fish are commercially hunted.
Many people are allergic to seafood, with some people having severe anaphylactic reactions when exposed to shrimp or any other species of shellfish. People with these types of allergies must avoid eating any shellfish, whether it is fresh or frozen. Some common shellfish species that are common causes for seafood allergies are sand eels, Herring, and tilefish. Allergic reactions often include rashes, hives, nasal congestion, swelling of the face and lips, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If you are one of these people, learn more about the various species that may cause problems. In some cases, avoiding seafood altogether can help to alleviate these symptoms.
Some seafood allergy sufferers have their treatment in mind when they see the word “seafood”. The first step, after identifying the species causing problems, is to stay clear of that particular species altogether. Fish such as crab, lobster, scallops, clams, mussels, oysters, and other crustaceans should also not be consumed. Seafood allergies are not commonly caused by seafood that has been injected with growth hormones, such as chicken livers or turkey livers, nor by toxins that are found in some fish such as mercury. You may not be able to avoid eating fish that has been injected with growth hormones or PCBs, but you can learn more about seafood allergy symptoms by avoiding those species.
One of the most common seafood types that people are allergic to are crabs and lobsters. They are both made up of living organisms called mollusks. Although crustaceans are known as “land-based” creatures, their exact ancestry has been traced back to the seas, which means that some of the mollusks from which they are harvested were in fact used as a food source for human beings. This is why most seafood restaurants are the only places where you will usually find live lobster and shrimp, as well as other species of crustaceans like shrimps and squids.
Other seafood allergy symptoms may include an itching sensation in the ears, stomach, or rectal area. In some cases, people experience an allergic reaction in the mouth or throat. It may feel like the throat is being cut and the individual will experience difficulty swallowing. The skin may also become very dry and itchy. In extreme cases, seafood allergy symptoms may even be experienced in the eyes.
A seafood allergy may also manifest itself in a person’s digestive system. If a person is allergic to shrimp or crabs, it could lead to mucus in the mouth and throat, a change in the normal appearance of stools, or diarrhea. Chronic irritation of the anal canal or intestines may also occur in a small number of individuals. Some people react to seafood by releasing histamines, a chemical that attacks cells. If you have a history of allergic reactions to seafood, your body will release more histamines when you are exposed to small amounts of another allergen, which may be crustaceans or other types of seafood.
A seafood allergy can be treated if it is discovered early enough. The best way to treat an allergy to seafood is to avoid all types of seafood, which means no more eating fish, shellfish, crab meat, and other shellfish. If you must eat seafood, you should be sure to select those that are high in fats and low in chemicals and preservatives. Eat them sparingly and be certain to wash the dishes you use afterward.
If you suspect that you are allergic to seafood, talk to your doctor about a plan for treatment. They may be able to provide you with medications that will keep your symptoms under control. You can find out whether you are allergic to shellfish, crab meat, or any other type of seafood by testing your blood. If you test positive for a seafood allergen, you will have to decide between avoiding seafood altogether, or eating a limited amount of shellfish and crustaceans that are safe for you to consume.