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Symptoms of a Mussel Allergy

When it comes to allergies, there are many things that can cause them: pollutants in the air, ingredients in medications and reactions to various foods. When it comes to food allergies, some of the most common are wheat, dairy, peanuts and seafood. One type of seafood where this can be seen is a mollusk called a mussel. Mussels resemble clams, and they can cause the same symptoms as any other form of seafood.

  1. Skin

    • The skin is the largest organ in the integumentary system. It holds all of the body's tissues and internal fluids in place, and it is the site where detoxing takes place through sweat. It is also an area on the body where you can see symptoms of an allergy to mussels, which include rashes such as hives and eczema. The skin can also become red, irritated and itchy.

    Breathing

    • The respiratory system can also suffer effects from a mussel allergy. Congestion can develop in the lungs and nose, and asthmatic symptoms can be recognized. Some of the symptoms are coughing, wheezing, runny nose and watery eyes. The airways in the lungs can also become inflamed, which can cause labored breathing.

    Digestive System

    • The digestive system is one of the most common areas to get victimized in the event of a mussel allergy, because the immune system recognizes the allergen as an evil invader that is going to do harm to the body. Some symptoms that are seen in the digestive system are nausea, heartburn, stomach cramps, gas, bloating and diarrhea.

    Anaphylaxis

    • One of the most severe symptoms of a mussel allergy is called anaphylactic shock. When this takes place, it is a medical emergency, because the effects from it can be fatal. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock include hives, stomach pains, coughing and bloating, which are the regular symptoms of a mussel allergy. But these symptoms are far worse, and they are also accompanied by a severe drop in blood pressure and extremely labored breathing that is caused from the throat's swelling shut.

    Warning

    • If you are very sensitive to mussels, you can also suffer symptoms by breathing in air where they were once present. This includes where they were bought or even cooked. You can also suffer symptoms from using utensils that were used with mussels, such as tongs on a buffet or salad bar.

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