Catfish Allergy Symptoms

While allergy symptoms vary from person to person, people who are allergic to seafood often have similar reactions. Catfish allergies range from mild to potentially life-threatening. One way to determine if your allergy is a catfish allergy is to eat only catfish for a meal. If you have the reaction when you isolate catfish, this is a pretty good indication that the food you are allergic to is catfish. People who are allergic to one type of fish are frequently allergic to other types of fish.

Hives

• The most common allergic reaction to catfish is hives. Hives usually break out on the person's face and throat when he ingests catfish, and frequently appear on the person's hands when he handles the fish.

Swelling

• Similar to hives, swelling of the skin on the face and hands is a common reaction among people who are allergic to catfish. Sometimes this swelling is accompanied by an itching or burning sensation or redness.

Stomach Pain, Vomiting and Diarrhea

• As the catfish enters an allergic person's stomach, the stomach reacts by trying to expel the fish as quickly as possible. This results in stomach pain, and can often lead to vomiting and diarrhea.

Asthma

• Although many people think of asthma as an affliction not related to allergies, it can frequently be prompted by an allergic reaction, and can develop into an ongoing condition as a result of frequent ingestion of allergens. Asthma causes coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Anaphylaxis

• Anaphylaxis is the most severe and dangerous reaction to catfish. Anaphylaxis is an entire body reaction, frequently resulting in hives and stomach ache and almost always resulting in airway constriction. This causes difficulty breathing and can lead to suffocation if left untreated.