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Seafood is a food with high nutritional value and is also a favorite dish of many people. However, it is considered a concern for people with seafood allergies. Is seafood allergy life-threatening?
1. What is a seafood allergy?
In cases of food allergies, seafood is the food group that causes the most allergies. A seafood allergy occurs when the body has an abnormal reaction to the proteins of certain types of seafood, especially shellfish, such as crab, lobster, oysters, scallops, squid, or octopus. octopus.
According to statistics, seafood allergy most often occurs in adulthood and depending on each person's body, the reactions can range from mild to severe, even serious to the body. human life if not treated promptly.
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2. Causes of seafood allergy
Most cases of seafood allergy are related to an overreaction of the immune system in the body. Some of the main causes of seafood allergy include:
Release of free histamines: people with allergic reactions to seafood often have a deficiency of free antihistamines, therefore When eating shellfish containing high levels of histamine such as octopus, shrimp, squid, ... these histamines will be released, thereby leading to an allergic condition. Immune system response in the body: seafood often contains high levels of nutritious protein, but there are also some proteins that are harmful to the body and they become real antigens, stimulating the system. The body's immune system causes the typical symptoms of an allergy. Allergies are determined by antigens: for some seafood, proteins act as quasi-antigens. When they combine with the deciding group of antigens already existing in the body, it will lead to a seafood allergy.
3. Subjects at high risk of seafood allergy
Seafood allergy can happen to people of all ages, regardless of gender and health status. However, according to statistics, the subjects most susceptible to seafood allergy are adults aged 40-60.
In addition, you can have a seafood allergy if someone in your family has this disease. Women are more prone to allergies than men. In children, the likelihood of an allergic reaction is more common in boys.
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4. Is seafood allergy dangerous?
Today many people still mistakenly think that seafood allergy is a mild allergic disease, causing only common itching and rash. However, this is not the case, because a seafood allergy can cause extremely dangerous and life-threatening symptoms if not handled and treated promptly. Symptoms of a seafood allergy usually appear very quickly, just a few minutes or about an hour after eating. Allergic symptoms can vary in severity, from mild to severe. Here are the three most common allergies:
Mild seafood allergy:
Rash, hives Itching skin and lips Nausea Cough and stuffy nose Moderate seafood allergy:
Irritability Chest Difficulty breathing, wheezing Abdominal pain (a dull feeling in the abdomen) Vomiting or diarrhea Severe seafood allergy: can cause anaphylaxis and lead to death if not treated promptly. time. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Choking or swelling of the throat (airway constriction) causing difficulty breathing Shock accompanied by a severe drop in blood pressure Rapid pulse Dizziness Dizziness or loss of consciousness (unconsciousness) If If you notice the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, you need to go to a medical facility right away for timely emergency care before the allergic condition worsens.
5. Prevention of seafood allergy
If you are allergic to shellfish, the only way to prevent an allergy is to avoid all shellfish and products containing shellfish. Some ways that can be helpful in preventing seafood allergy include:
Before eating, you should learn the ingredients of the dish (especially in unfamiliar restaurants/diners) Don't Eat at seafood restaurants because this is where there is a high risk of cross-contamination. Seafood utensils can be used by restaurants to prepare other foods, thereby causing cross-contamination. Food labels should be read carefully. Some foods may have no ingredients listed or are vaguely labeled as "fish-sourced" or "seafood-based flavoring". Tell everyone about your seafood allergy. Always carry allergy medicine with you
6. What should I do when I have a seafood allergy?
When you have a seafood allergy, you need to pay attention to the following:
Say no to alcohol, tobacco and stimulants: drinking alcohol after having a seafood allergy can lead to disorder cyclic reaction. This condition makes the allergy level more severe and complicated, adversely affecting the overall health of the patient. Avoid foods with a lot of fat and fishy substances: these substances are always on the most taboo list for seafood allergies. They often contain quite a lot of antigens, which can cause an acute immune response. Avoid hot spicy foods: foods like chili, pepper or fast food can irritate the stomach, causing indigestion. Avoid foods that cause bloating: when you have a seafood allergy, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, so you should limit the use of foods made from dairy. These foods can make allergies worse. In addition, when you have a seafood allergy, you should be aware of some foods that can cause bloating such as onions, broccoli, cabbage, beans. Limit scratching: The symptoms of a rash or hives can make you feel itchy all over your body. However, scratching the itch only makes the patient feel more itchy and more likely to scratch and damage the skin. Patients with allergic and immunological diseases can be examined and treated at the Respiratory - Allergy Clinical Immunology Unit - Vinmec International General Hospital. When visiting, the patient will be examined and thoroughly consulted by the doctor about the disease and treatment plan. Patients are also provided with comprehensive supplemental information about the disease.
Unit brings together professors, doctors and specialists with more than 30 years of experience, well-trained young doctors in advanced countries who are always ready in the work of examining and taking care of people. sick. In addition, the Unit is equipped with the most modern equipment and machinery in Vietnam to support the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
Articles refer to sources: Mayoclinic.org, webmd.com
