What Are the Causes of Seafood Allergies?

Seafood allergies pose a threat to the body, causing an array of moderate to severe reactions that may result in digestive discomfort, difficulty breathing, skin irritation and dangerous throat closure.

• Seafood allergies can be life-threatening.

Function

• Seafood allergies are caused by Immunoglobin E (IgE) antibody responses to inhaled cooking fumes, ingested seafood or skin contact with a seafood allergen, leading to histamine releases that cause swelling throughout the body.

Effects

• As histamine enters the bloodstream, excess fluids and mucus line the nasal passages, airways and epidermis, potentially causing symptoms of hives, congestion, conjunctivitis, asthma, cramping, nausea, vomiting and life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Identification

• Seafood allergies are classified separately by clusters; an allergy to one category does not diagnose an allergy to all groups. Seafood allergy categories include finned fish, mollusks and crustaceans.

Misconceptions

• Iodine allergies and seafood allergies may be misdiagnosed, as shellfish and finned fish are sources of iodine. However, seafood allergies are typically caused by reactions to indigestible muscle proteins in fish.

Prevention/Solution

• Seafood allergies are diagnosed through food challenge tests, exposing a person to potential seafood allergens. Doctors analyze the reactions of patients. Seafood allergies are treated through elimination diets, with anaphylaxis reactions necessitating epinephrine injections.