I fear I’m developing an allergy to shellfish. Lately when I eat crab or shrimp if my lips are chapped they swell up. I mentioned this to my mother and she seems to think I’ll end up in anephelactic (sp?) shock if I keep eating them.
So, are there any allergy experts (or not) who could help me out here? Could an allergy really get that bad all of a sudden?
BTW, this would be a very bad thing as I live on the Chesapeake bay, the home of the best crabs on earth.
Yeah, I think it’s possible. A few years ago there were about three or four instances where I became violently nauseous. I eventually realized it happened whenever I ate fish. I tested it by eating some fish one night, and I got horribly sick; there’s no doubt in my mind that I had suddenly become allergic to fish. Other than that, I don’t know what to tell ya.
My father was allergic to seafood and it could get really bad. As I’ve heard it, it is possible to develop a sensitivity to something years after your first exposure to it.
On the other hand, it could also be a sensitivity to seasonings or spices or something like that. Have you been eating shellfish preparedthe same way, or from the same place?
My husband developed an allergy to shellfish when he was thirteen. He has never had problems breathing, but severe gastrointestinal symptoms. He is very annoyed because he grew up right near the ocean, and loves fresh seafood. So, yes, you can develop an allergy after eating shellfish for years with no problems.
Before you go testing it yourself (let’s see, I’ll nibble on this tasty shrimp…) see an allergist. Anaphalactic shock is nothing to play with. If you have developed an allergy , and it IS possible, it’s an unpredictable thing. So, get thee to an allergist, pronto!
(and send all your shellfish to me!)
Welcome to the club.
One day, back when I was just out of college, I awoke in the middle of the night feeling itchy, nauseous and flushed. I had no idea what on earth was going on. At the emergency room of the local hospital I was diagnosed as having a severe allergic reaction to the shellfish dinner I had eaten that prior evening. This was startling news to me since I had eaten seafood willy-nilly all my life with absolutely no ill effects.
In the twenty years since I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that I can eat just about all shellfish and seafood without a problem (though I will never push my luck and gorge myself) except for crabs. They are an absolute no-no for my system.
I suggest you keep a supply of Benydril (sp?) handy in your medecine chest to stave off future attacks. The stuff works wonders id the reaction is mild and caught early.