Seafood or seafood is a good source of protein for the body. However, seafood allergies make some people unable to eat these types of food. As a form of prevention, it is important for you to recognize the various types of foods that can trigger this type of seafood allergy.
Although most allergies start in childhood, seafood allergies can also appear as adults. There are also those that appear suddenly after eating certain seafood that previously did not cause allergies. This allergic reaction usually appears within minutes or hours after eating seafood.
Signs of a Seafood Allergy
Seafood allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to the proteins contained in certain seafood. The following are some of the symptoms of a seafood allergy that generally appear:
- Itchy and dry skin (eczema)
- Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
- Nasal congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat
- Head feels dizzy until faint
In certain conditions, allergic reactions can be very serious and life-threatening. This condition is also known as anaphylactic shock and is classified as an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. The following are some of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock:
- Swollen throat making it difficult to breathe
- Blood pressure drops drastically
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
Types of Seafood That Can Trigger Allergies
Some people feel an allergic reaction after eating one type of seafood, such as shellfish or shrimp. However, there are also people who immediately experience allergies after consuming any type of seafood. If you have a seafood allergy, you should be aware of the following types of seafood:
- Shrimp
- Lobster
- Crab
- Shell
- Octopus
- Snail
- conch
- Cuttlefish
- Squid
How to Prevent Seafood Allergies
The best way to prevent seafood allergies is to avoid eating seafood or being in a location that provides seafood. You can also prevent seafood allergies in the following ways:
1. Read food or drug packaging labels
Food products, drugs, or supplements may contain ingredients from seafood during the manufacturing process. One of the supplement products made from seafood is chitosan. Therefore, always try to read the packaging label to find out whether the product to be consumed contains seafood or not.
2. Find out the content of food ingredients
To prevent seafood allergies, there's nothing wrong with asking for ingredients from the menu that will be ordered when eating at a restaurant. Also make sure whether the cooking utensils used to cook seafood are different from other dishes.
3. Avoid places where seafood is sold or processed
Avoiding seafood processing or selling places can help you prevent seafood allergies. This is because some people with seafood allergies can easily experience allergies when they are close to seafood, such as touching or inhaling cooking vapors.
4. Avoid non-food ingredients that contain seafood
If you have a severe seafood allergy, you also need to be aware of non-food ingredients that contain seafood, such as pet food. As explained above, seafood allergies can be experienced when in contact with ingredients that contain seafood.
If you experience an allergic reaction as mentioned above, immediately consult a doctor to make sure you have an allergy and get the right treatment. You can also ask your doctor about what foods to avoid to prevent an allergic reaction to seafood in the future.
