"V体育官网入口" Foods to Avoid When You Have a Shellfish Allergy

If you have a shellfish allergy, the risk of anaphylaxis means you must stay clear of obvious foods like shrimp and lobster but also lesser-known culprits like mollusks and certain sauces. Understanding what to avoid and where shellfish may be hiding can help you keep safe while dining out or cooking at home.

"VSports app下载" Which Shellfish Are Known to Cause Allergic Reactions?

Shellfish are divided into two families: mollusks and crustaceans. You might be allergic to just one family. For example, some people react to crustaceans but not mollusks. VSports app下载.

If you're allergic to one crustacean, you're likely allergic to all of them V体育官网. For example, if you're allergic to crab you're likely allergic to shrimp too. However, most people who are allergic to one shellfish family are allergic to both. .

Don't eat shellfish from either family without first consulting your healthcare provider about your allergy VSports手机版. .

Unfortunately, food packaging may not warn you about all shellfish. U V体育ios版. S. food labeling laws cover crustaceans but not mollusks. Only foods made with crustaceans must be identified in allergy warning labels, which can be problematic for those with severe mollusk allergies. .

Most food packaging will highlight (or at least list) mollusk ingredients. By carefully reading the package ingredient list, you should be able to identify mollusk-containing foods VSports最新版本. .

For example, a jar of white clam sauce almost certainly will contain clams or clam juice V体育平台登录. You'll know to steer clear of it. And fried calamari, also known as fried squid, will include calamari. .

How Can You Tell If You Have a Shellfish Allergy?

Crustaceans cause the most allergic reactions. Symptoms of shellfish allergy can include: V体育官网入口.

• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
• Repetitive cough
• Tightness in throat, hoarse voice
• Weak pulse
• Pale or blue coloring of the skin
• Hives
• Swelling, can affect the tongue and/or lips
• Dizziness
• Confusion

How Do Doctors Diagnose Shellfish Allergies?

Diagnosing shellfish allergies can be complicated for the following reasons:

• Symptoms can vary from person to person.
• Symptoms may not be the same during every reaction.
• People may react even if they don't eat shellfish. They can react if they are close to shellfish being cooked or if their food comes in contact with shellfish.

If a shellfish allergy is suspected, your healthcare provider will likely refer you to an allergist (V体育安卓版). To make a diagnosis, allergist (V体育安卓版)s will usually do the following: V体育2025版.

• Take a history of your allergy symptoms
• Perform a skin-prick test, which involves placing a drop of the allergen (allergy-triggering substance) on your skin, and then pricking your skin. If a red, itchy bump appears after 15 to 20 minutes, it confirms an allergy.
• Possibly order a blood test that indicates whether food-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are present in your body

Strategies for Keeping Shellfish Out of Your Meals

With a shellfish allergy, you need to be careful when dining out. Restaurants and markets often store shellfish together, and cross-contamination (VSports注册入口) can occur. If your allergy is severe, consider avoiding seafood restaurants altogether since allergens from cooking shellfish can be inhaled.

Depending on your allergy’s severity, consider avoiding certain cuisines, such as:

• Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, or Malaysian foods, which often include a fish sauce made from shrimp or imitation shellfish
• Cajun or Creole food, which frequently contains shrimp or other shellfish

Some restaurants use shellfish stock in sauces or soups. Always inform your server or a manager about your allergy. Ask if any dishes you’re considering contain shellfish V体育官网. .

Recipes to Avoid

Shellfish is an ingredient in numerous recipes, although it may not always be obvious. Be on the lookout for these dishes and ingredients in restaurants. Also be careful when eating food prepared by friends or relatives:

• Bouillabaisse (a French fish soup)
• Ceviche (fish or shellfish in an acidic citrus marinade)
• Cioppino (fish stew)
• Clamato (a clam broth and tomato juice mixture sometimes used in Bloody Mary drinks)
• Crevette (the French term for shrimp)
• Scampi (contains lobster or shrimp)
• Etouffée (Cajun crawfish dish)
• Gumbo (fish and shellfish stew)
• Paella (Spanish rice dish usually made with shrimp)
• Jambalaya (Cajun rice dish often made with shrimp or crawfish)
• Nam prik (Thai fish sauce)
• Mam tom (Vietnamese fish sauce)

Tips for Dining Out (V体育平台登录)

By following certain guidelines and preparation, eating out can still be a safe and enjoyable experience. Take these steps to protect yourself:

• Know the safest restaurants: Strict kosher restaurants, as well as vegan and vegetarian restaurants, will not contain shellfish or shellfish products.
• Check the menu online: Before heading out, review the menu on the restaurant website for shellfish dishes. Many restaurants include information on the most common food allergens, including shellfish. Reviewing the menu can give you a good idea about whether options look safe for you. Keep in mind this won't confirm there are no shellfish ingredients, such as in sauces and stock.
• Consider chain restaurants: Each restaurant is likely to use the same ingredients and prepare foods the same way and a growing number of them are allergy-aware. This can be a helpful option especially when you’re traveling and don't know the local restaurants.
  
• Talk with your server and chef: When you arrive, make sure your server and the chef are aware of your allergies. Ask what is in your dish and how it’s prepared. If you're not confident the wait staff fully understand your situation, speak to a manager.
• Bring a chef card: You can download a "food allergy alert chef card" from the Food Allergy Research and Education website. This wallet-sized card lists your food allergies and states that your food must be cooked in a clean and safe area to avoid cross-contamination. Ask the wait staff to show it to the chef(s) on duty.
• Always bring your rescue medication: While it's unlikely that you'll need it, always bring your rescue medication with you, such as your epinephrine autoinjector and, if applicable, any asthma medication. Carrying rescue medication can provide peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy your meal. Consider wearing medical identification, such as a bracelet or necklace that identifies your allergies.

Non-Food Sources of Shellfish

When you have a severe shellfish allergy, you also need to be aware of potential non-food sources of the allergen. These can include:

• Compost or fertilizers
• Fish food
• Pet food
• HemCon bandages (a wound dressing made from shrimp shells)
• Calcium supplements made from oyster shells or coral
• Glucosamine
• Omega-3 supplements (usually made from fish, but sometimes made from shellfish)