cafelatte
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Post by cafelatte on May 8, 2017 8:51:51 GMT -5
I was recently diagnosed with a shellfish allergy. My Dr. told me to stay away from all shellfish, although my reaction was to shrimp, based on what I was able to tell her about my symptoms and reactions. However, I am thinking I should be tested since I think I may have developed some sensitivities to other foods (I'm being more aware of what I eat and how it affects me). I've never had any allergies before, nor have I been to an allergist. For those who have had allergy testing, esp for foods, do they mainly do skin tests, or blood tests? I know there are independent labs that do these tests so I don't necessarily have to go back to the Dr. to get it ordered. Or should I just go to an allergist?
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Post by wallycat on May 8, 2017 10:17:46 GMT -5
Please see an allergist. Food is the hardest thing to dx with RAST/blood/labs and sometimes you can get false negatives.
The surest way to determine if you have allergies is to do a "food challenge." You need to be in a setting where they can administer drugs if the reaction becomes serious. I did that with avocado (had my tongue swell up once so I couldn't talk. Waited a year and took the challenge but it never repeated so I eat them now). Birch pollen causes me to cross react (OAS--oral allergy syndrome) with almonds, so I simply don't eat them any more. I don't love them enough to waste money on the challenge.
Allergies are tricky and people react differently. Where one person's "shrimp only" allergy is really only to shrimp, someone else might be sensitive enough to have a reaction to all shellfish.
Good luck.
Oh, and if the shrimp were from asia, it could be any of the drugs they are using and not the actual shrimp.
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cafelatte
Politicos
I have made 480 posts
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Post by cafelatte on May 8, 2017 10:40:31 GMT -5
Thanks wallycat. I was thinking I should see one as well. I've successfully eaten shrimp without issues, but a few times the symptoms were the next day. Never immediately. My eye area was all red and swollen, like a sunburn. I actually thought it was an eye cream that I had just started using around the same time. It never occurred to me that it could be the shrimp until the last time. My lips and tongue were swelling and the same eye symptoms occurred, but I was back to using my regular cream. I also remember a reaction the following day after eating sushi a few years back. However, since I had a reaction to an MRI with contrast (they noticed a hive on me after the procedure), I was told that that was the indication that it's an allergy, along with all these other occurrences. Also, each reaction seemed to be worse. As for other foods, I think eggs and bananas are an issue since my tongue and mouth tends to tingle afterwards. My mom had a terrible reaction to hazelnuts after always being able to eat them.
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Post by wallycat on May 8, 2017 10:48:18 GMT -5
You should also ask for an epi-pen and carry it with you. If you start to develop allergies to other foods or you accidentally ingest an offender, best be prepared.
I had allergies as a baby, grew out of them; then at 45, I developed the birch pollen allergy.
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Post by karenw on May 8, 2017 18:38:32 GMT -5
I have a shrimp allergy as well, but seem to be fine with most other shellfish. My shrimp allergy was diagnosed as an "eosinophilic gastroenteritis" i.e. I live in the bathroom for several hours after eating it. Happened to me the first few times that I ate it so I won't again. I rarely eat any shellfish anyway but not for allergy reasons (just not a big fan). Perhaps, scallops once or twice a year and on a rare occasion some crab in a salad but that is about it. I am also allergic to sulfa, but that manifested as a "near anaphylactic" event. Hives, swelling, edema, difficulty swallowing etc.... It was scary!
Karen
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cafelatte
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I have made 480 posts
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Post by cafelatte on May 12, 2017 8:28:32 GMT -5
Karen, your reactions to shrimp sure are different to mine. That's probably why you were never a fan of it.
Before I make an appointment, I'm making notes about symptoms and foods that might be an issue (minus the shellfish of course). I really think eggs, bananas, apples, and even some herbal tea, is an issue with mouth and tongue tingling. I even suspect some mild symptoms that could be seasonal allergies as well, which I have never had, but we've only lived here less than two years.
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