Shellfish Allergy: A Life-Threatening Problem

A shellfish allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. Initial onset may not happen until adulthood, but once a reaction has occurred, a shellfish allergy is a lifelong allergy. The life-threatening allergic reaction occurs in response to the muscle protein in shellfish, though, less commonly, can also be a response to shellfish gelatin, which is made from the skin and bones of shellfish. (Source)

Shellfish allergy often results in anaphylactic shock if any shellfish is consumed, even in minute amounts. All types of shellfish must be avoided, including shrimp, lobster, crab and mollusks. Mollusks are a broad subcategory of shellfish that includes clams, mussels, oysters and scallops.

Avoiding Shellfish at Home

Shellfish is generally easy to avoid in home cooking and food preparation. Most products do not contain shellfish as a hidden ingredient, unlike some other life-threatening allergens. Still, reading the labels on prepackaged foods is recommended. Some labels will state that a product has been manufactured in a facility that also processes shellfish. If in doubt, kosher foods are a good choice for those with a shellfish allergy. Kosher dietary customs do not allow the eating of shellfish.

Avoiding Shellfish in Restaurants

While it is easy to avoid shellfish at home, restaurant eating proves trickier. Cross-contamination can expose an allergic individual to shellfish proteins. Restaurants often deep fry shellfish in the same oil that is used for french fries or other fried foods. Some will even prepare shellfish on the same surfaces as other foods or cook them in the same skillet. Shellfish allergic individuals should avoid seafood restaurants. Many other types of restaurants also serve shellfish, so it is prudent to request that foods not be prepared on the same surfaces or cooked in the same oils and skillets as shellfish entr�es.

The HemCon Bandage

The new HemCon bandage, which has been used by the U.S. in Iraq since 2003, contains chitosan, a product extracted from the shells of shrimp. These bandages, which should be of some concern to those with a shellfish allergy, are now being marketed to local EMTs. The manufacturer of the bandages, HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc., has stated that their chitosan supplier has conducted skin testing on sensitive and allergic individuals and found no allergic reaction resulted from their product. Those with a severe shellfish allergy should still be cautious with products containing chitosan. (Source)

A life-threatening shellfish allergy, while serious, is an allergy that is easy to manage. Caution and awareness are the best tools available to avoid some of the hidden dangers of a shellfish allergy.