I now know that I am officially allergic (very mildly) to shrimp, and I guess shellfish in general. I don’t eat shellfish often, so it’s taken me a couple times of wondering to realize this. Just some minor swelling in my windpipe… feels like somethings in there wanting to get swallowed. This has happened three times in the past 3 years now, but this time was the most obvious.
So, now that I know, what precautions should I take? What things are dangerous for me?
I remember that I had to get my knee drained after surgery 1 year ago, and I was kinda nervous cause the doc was gonna stick me with iodine, but nothing happened. Did I get lucky? Should I never get this done again?
See a doctor for advice specific to you. He can do tests to see if you are allergic to other shellfish or just shrimp. I’m pretty sure it is a protein, not iodine, that is the problem. The doctor may recommend you carry an Epi-pen, in case you have a serious allergic reaction to shellfish at some point.
I am NOT a doctor, but I do have a crab allergy. (Thankfully, all other seafood, including other shellfish, give me no bad reactions.) My crab allergy results in itchy, puffy, red hives on my skin.
A couple of fast over-the-counter Benedryls have kept a few accidental attacks at bay. Only once was the allergic reaction so strong that the Benedryl didn’t help. My friends got me to an emergency room.
FYI, I always keep film cannisters of Benedryl (and aspirin too) in my backpack and briefcase for emergencies. I’ll usually pop one or two “just in case” if I feel odd after having, say, a scoop of mystery dip or chowder. (The mixture of elongated bright pink Benedryls and bright white aspirins make me think I’m eating Good & Plenty whenever I reach for a pill.)
I also have seafood allergies, and they are very odd. I can eat shrimp and clams, but not lobster, crab or fish–except tuna. This makes no sense to me; I should be allergic to fish, or not, I would think.
An EpiPen is a self-serve needle full of epinephrine. If you go into anaphylaxis, you can stop breathing. It happened to me once, not fun.
An EpiPen delivers epinephrine to open the breathing passages enough for you to take more Benadryl and keep the reaction at bay until you get to the emergency room.
I’m allergic to bee stings, I always carry my EpiPen.