How to Live With an Allergy to Shellfish

Avoiding the Allergy

Read labels. Manufacturers are required to note it on the label if they have crustacean shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and lobster in them. However, they are not required to note if they contain mollusks such as clams, scallops, or oysters. It's important to check all labels. Shellfish can be present in products that may surprise you. Foods that have seafood flavoring, for instance, often have shellfish in them.

Check non-food labels, too. This step can be a bit more difficult, as not all non-food labels are required to list ingredients. However, some non-food items can contain shellfish, which in turn can give you an allergic reaction. For instance, lip gloss can contain shellfish. Pet foods and plant fertilizers can also contain shellfish, which can be important if you're handling these items and your allergy is severe. Nutritional supplements can also contain seafood allergens.

Avoid contact with shellfish. If you have an allergy, particularly a severe one, you should also avoid touching shellfish. In addition, an allergic reaction may even happen if you breathe in particles from shellfish being cooked nearby. If you're cooking for your family, skip cooking shellfish for the rest of the family even if you aren't eating it yourself. Also, try not to be in areas where shellfish are being cooked. Try to avoid the seafood counter at the grocery store, as getting too near could set you off. Not everyone's shellfish allergy is this severe. Pay attention to what you react to and what you don't.

Ask at restaurants. When you eat out, always make sure to ask what's in your food. It's best to be safe by asking rather than assuming that the food doesn't contain shellfish. Begin by telling the waiter you have an allergy: "Hi, I have a very severe allergy to shellfish." Move on to talking about what you'd like to order: "I'd like to order the chow mein. Does that have any shellfish in it?" If the waiter says he doesn't know, see if can ask: "Would you please check for me? It can't even be in the flavoring. I really appreciate it." Also ask about the oil if you order something fried. Sometimes, the same oil that's used to cook, say, your chicken, could have been used to cook shrimp.

Be cautious with fish. Unless you have a specific allergy to fish, you shouldn't worry about eating fish. However, oftentimes fish and shellfish are cooked together, so you need to be wary of cross-contamination.

Being Prepared

Know your triggers. Shellfish is actually divided into two categories, crustaceans and mollusks. Crustaceans include shrimp, lobster, and crab. Mollusks are clams, scallops, mussels, and oysters. You can be allergic to one group or both. In fact, you may only be allergic to one type of shellfish and not to others, such as shrimp. Allergies to crustacea are usually more prevalent than allergies to mollusks.

See your doctor. If you know you have a severe allergy, it's important to see your doctor and discuss your options. If you can, see a person that specializes in allergies, as they can help pinpoint exactly what you're allergic to. You can develop a shellfish allergy at any time in your life. Therefore, if you start to show symptoms, it's best to get checked out. If you start to feel tingly in your mouth after eating shellfish, it's time to talk to your doctor.

Get an epinephrine pen. If you're diagnosed with a severe shellfish allergy, your doctor will prescribe an epinephrine autoinjector so you can self-treat at the first sign of a reaction. These auto-injectors, or pens, can help you survive when you have a severe allergy attack by injecting epinephrine (adrenaline) into your body. Some common brand names are EpiPen and Avui-Q. Epinephrine can save your life in the event you have a severe attack. Check your pen regularly, at least once a month. If you see that the liquid is cloudy or the pen is past its expiration date, get a new one.

Reacting When an Allergy Strikes

Recognize the early warning signs. Most of the time, your reaction will begin within a few minutes of eating the first bite of food. However, sometimes, it can show up hours later. One symptom is a tingly tongue after eating shellfish. Other symptoms include wheezing, coughing, throat tightness, hoarseness, and trouble breathing. You also might break out into hives, have itchy, swollen eyes, or have swelling in your throat. Another symptom is stomach problems, such as diarrhea or vomiting. Finally, it can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Pay attention to the onset of symptoms. If you have severe allergies, you may have what's called an anaphylactic reaction, which is just a fancy way of saying a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. If you know your allergies are bad, you may need to inject your epinephrine when you first have a symptom.Here are some other examples of when you may need to use epinephrine: You have symptoms involving your nose, mouth, skin, or stomach, and you are having difficulty breathing or you're feeling light-headed and dizzy (low blood pressure). You think you were exposed to shellfish, and you have two of these symptoms: skin problems/swelling lips, stomach issues, low blood pressure (dizziness), or trouble with breathing. You know you were exposed, and you start to experience low blood pressure (dizziness, feeling light-headed, weakness).

Inject with epinephrine. If you think you need to inject epinephrine, get out your pen. If you don't think you can do it yourself, try to talk someone else through it. Each pen is a little different, so make sure you read your instructions well ahead of needing to use a pen. Basically, though, you twist off the outer holder to reveal the auto-injector. You pull off the first cap, often blue, grey, or orange. On some pens, it's marked "1." You may see a red tip. Do NOT put your finger in front of the tip. Pull off the other cap. Place the needle end (the red tip on some pens) of the injector on the outer part of your thigh near the top and in the middle. Make sure it is going into the muscle. You can do it through clothing. Press down until you feel the needle enter your skin. Hold it for 10 seconds, then pull it out. You will likely see leftover fluid in the pen. That is fine, and as long as the needle extended, you received the proper dose. It can be helpful to show close friends and family how to use your epinephrine injector when you are in a non-emergency situation. That way, they can help should the need arise.

Go the emergency room. Though the epinephrine can save your life, it does not solve the problem of the allergic reaction. You still need to go to the emergency room. It is best to call 9-1-1 right away.