How Common Is A Fish Allergy

How To Avoid Fish

Always read labels for fish ingredients before consuming. Because it is a top 8 allergen, federal laws require that labels clearly identify if a product contains fish. Also take note of may contains statements which detail whether or not there is a risk of cross-contamination with fish during the manufacturing process.

Fish is commonly found in Worcestershire sauce, Caesar salad/dressing and is sometimes in imitation crab products in the form of surimi, a processed fish paste made from Alaskan pollock and other fish species. Asian cuisine also uses fish-based stock for many dishes. Also steer clear of fish sticks and anchovies, which do contain real fish.

If you eat some kinds of fish, be careful to avoid eating fish that has been in contact with the types of fish you are allergic to. Be mindful of areas where seafood is being cooked, as fish proteins may become vaporized and airborne while cooking. When dining out, be sure to ask about the fryer as many restaurants cook fish in the same oil as chicken and french fries.

When Are Fish Allergies Discovered

Unlike other food allergies that impact babies and young children, fish allergies typically do not develop until later in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. According research led by Scott H. Sicherer, MD, at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, along with other studies, around 40% of fish allergies do not occur until adulthood.

Fish Allergy Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment And Coping

Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California.

A fish allergy, as opposed to a shellfish allergy, is one in which your immune system reacts abnormally to a finned fish such as tuna, halibut, or salmon. It is a somewhat less common form of food allergy, affecting women more than men and adults more than children.

Fish allergies often develop during early childhood but, in contrast to a milk or egg allergy, usually persist well beyond school age. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include skin rashes, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, and anaphylaxis .

The allergy is more common in areas where fish is a predominant part of the local diet, such as Scandinavia and parts of Asia. An allergy may not only be triggered by eating fish but by touching fish or consuming foods in which fish byproducts are used.

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What Are Fish Allergies

Dog food companies are constantly producing new flavors of dog food. One thing that doesnt change as frequently, however, is the main protein source within the food. Many dogs are sensitive or ‘allergic’ to beef and chicken which results in owners serving their dog a food with fish as the main protein source instead. Since more dogs are receiving fish in their diets, it is only the natural progression of things that more and more dogs are being diagnosed with an allergy to fish. It is still rare to have a dog with a fish allergy, but it is becoming more common by the day. If your dog has ongoing vomiting and diarrhoea, or is constantly scratching, licking, or getting an ear infection repeatedly, you might want to consider the possibility of it being caused by a food allergy. If it is discovered fish is the culprit, as soon as you remove it from your dogs diet, he should recover very smoothly and all symptoms of allergies should stop once it is out of his system. Keep in mind though, that many dogs with food sensitivities are sensitive to more than one ingredient. Similarly, these dogs are more prone to environmental allergies, so it is common for some symptoms to persist, even if they improve with diet modification.

Many dog foods have fish as their main protein source or as an ingredient of some sort. If you have your dog on a diet containing fish and he is acting abnormally or suffering allergy-like symptoms, be sure to consult with your veterinarian.

Types

What Are Some Common Fish Allergy Symptoms

Allergies to shellfish and scaly fish are the most common types of food allergies. When your body misidentifies the proteins in fish as harmful, it sends out an antibody called immunoglobulin E to attack the invading allergen. The antibody then releases other chemicals to combat the fish protein. You react to the chemicals coursing through your body by displaying various allergic symptoms.

The most common symptoms of a fish allergy appear on your skin such symptoms include eczema, hives and swelling. Other common symptoms of a fish allergy include digestive problems like vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Sometimes, respiratory symptoms accompany other symptoms, but difficulty breathing doesn’t usually result from a fish allergy on its own. In some cases, people with fish allergies can suffer anaphylaxis when exposed to fish protein. Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal condition in which you may suffer dizziness, difficulty breathing and even loss of consciousness. People who exhibit the signs of anaphylaxis must seek medical attention immediately.

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Professional Shellfish Allergy Treatments In The Atlanta Area

Dr. Chacko helps adults and children cope with shellfish allergies using reliable allergy testing and treatment solutions. If you have experienced an allergic reaction after eating food, schedule a visit to a center in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Duluth or Johns Creek. Call or request an appointment now.

Image Credit Poring Studio/Shutterstock.com

How Do I Manage A Shellfish Allergy

You cant become un-allergic to shellfish. The best way to keep yourself healthy is to avoid shellfish. Besides avoiding shellfish itself, make sure you avoid foods that contain shellfish.

The Food and Drug Administration requires food manufacturers to list common food allergens, such as shellfish, on food labels. The food label lists the allergen either in the ingredients list or after the list. For example, if a product contains abalone, a species of shellfish, the label will state abalone in the ingredients or contains shellfish after the ingredients list.

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Can You Be Allergic To Fish But Not Fish Oil

If you do not have a fish or shellfish allergy youll likely not have a reaction to fish oil. People who fish oil may have side effects. This doesnt mean that you have an allergy. You can be sensitive to fish oils, but not allergic.

Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain development and brain health. Fish oil may also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

How Is An Allergic Reaction To Fish Treated

If your child has a fish allergy , the doctor will want him or her to carry an epinephrine auto-injector in case of an emergency.

An epinephrine auto-injector is a prescription medicine that comes in a small, easy-to-carry container. It’s easy to use. Your doctor will show you how. Kids who are old enough can be taught how to give themselves the injection. If they carry the epinephrine, it should be nearby, not left in a locker or in the nurse’s office.

Wherever your child is, caregivers should always know where the epinephrine is, have easy access to it, and know how to give the shot. Staff at your child’s school should know about the allergy and have an action plan in place. Your child’s medicines should be accessible at all times. Also consider having your child wear a medical alert bracelet.

Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If your child starts having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling of the mouth or throat or difficulty breathing, give the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Also give it right away if the symptoms involve two different parts of the body, like hives with vomiting. Then and take your child to the emergency room. Your child needs to be under medical supervision because even if the worst seems to have passed, a second wave of serious symptoms can happen.

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Testing For Shellfish Allergy

Skin testing is often recommended as a first method of evaluation of shellfish allergy. Interpretation can be difficult due to potential cross-reactivity between types of seafood or between shellfish and dust mites. Skin tests with commercial seafood extracts usually show reliable results, but if there is uncertainty, the actual food can be used. Commercial seafood extracts may also run the risk of false negatives, because the extracts often only have the major allergen tropomyosin and not the secondary allergens like myosin light chain protein and hemocyanin. Dust mites and other cross-reactive species do possess the secondary allergens that can sensitize an individual, making them more susceptible to a subsequent allergic shellfish reaction. So, it is important to test for reactions to dust mites and cockroaches, otherwise the skin testing may be incomplete and lead to falsely negative results.

Food challenges may also be done, most often when skin tests and/or history is inconclusive.

Unorthodox testing is available for food allergy, but is not recommended. Examples of this type of testing includes use of electrodes , cytotoxic testing , iris examination , IgG food antibody testing, hair analysis and more. In addition to being ineffective, these tests can lead to negative consequences for the patient such as unnecessary dietary restrictions and false confidence about protection from allergies.

Are There Other Allergens I Could Be Sensitized To*

Most people with fish allergy may experience symptoms when eating different types of fish. This is called cross-reactivity and occurs when your body’s immune system identifies the proteins, or components, in different substances as being structurally similar or biologically related, thus triggering a response. The most common cross-reactivities with fish are other types of bone fish such as salmon, cod, tuna, herring, carp, pilchard, sole, and trout.1

Fish consist of different types of proteins that all have different characteristics and implications. Knowing the proteins, or components, within each allergen that are triggering your symptoms can help guide your management plan. With that in mind, and based on your symptom history, your healthcare provider may suggest something called a specific IgE component test, which can help reveal the risk profile you belong to.2

Already have your specific IgE component test results?

Your component test results will include the name of the components . Your healthcare provider will likely review the results with you, but here you’ll find an at-a-glance breakdown you can use as a reference. Simply match the component names to the list below to see what they mean in terms of symptom management.1

rCyp c 1

• Strong cross-reactivity exists between fish, meaning symptoms may appear after ingesting different species of fish.
• Highly heat stable, meaning both raw and extensively cooked food may cause symptoms.

rGad c 1

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How Common Is Fish Allergy

Allergy to finned fish is a common food allergy and affects 2.5% of adults and 1% of children. About 1% of the population have an allergy to finned fish, and it is more common in adults than in children.

Allergies to fish can be triggered by a number of factors, including exposure to the allergen in the fish itself, as well as the presence of other allergens, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish sauce, soy sauce and fish oil. In addition, certain foods can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.

For example, a person who is allergic to eggs may react to egg-containing foods, but may not react if the egg is cooked in a non-allergenic way . Similarly, people with a history of food allergies may be more likely to develop a reaction to a particular food than those who do not have allergies.

Fish And Shellfish Allergic Symptoms

A fish/shellfish allergic reaction occurs when the body recognises the food protein as harmful and mounts an allergic response. An allergic reaction to seafood can be mild or moderate or severe . Fish/shellfish reactions have the potential to cause anaphylaxis, which is the most severe form of an allergic reaction. Individuals may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

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Allergic And Toxic Reactions To Seafood

Seafood allergy occurs most commonly where seafood is an important part of the diet, such as in Asia and Scandinavia. Some conditions caused by toxins or parasites in seafood can resemble allergic reactions to seafood.

Seafood allergy is not rare

Whilst figures vary from country to country, approximately 1% of the population is estimated have a seafood allergy. It is more common in teenage and adult life than very early childhood. About 20% will grow out of their allergy with time.

Symptoms of seafood allergy

Many allergic reactions to seafood are mild and cause hives , tingling of the throat and mouth, swelling and/or gut reactions .

The most dangerous symptoms are breathing difficulties or collapse, caused by a drop in blood pressure , either of which can be life threatening. This is known as anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.

Occasionally, breathing difficulties may occur from inhaling fumes when seafood is being cooked, and in seafood processing factories. Children with a history of asthma may be more likely to have severe allergic reactions to seafood.

Varieties of seafood

The major groups of seafood that can trigger allergic reactions are:

• Vertebrates Fish including salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines, herring, anchovies, tuna, trout, haddock, John Dory, eels, rays.
• Invertebrates Shellfish: crustaceans including prawns/shrimps, lobster, crab, crayfish, yabbies and molluscs including oysters, mussels, clams, octopus, squid, calamari, abalone, sea slugs.

Keep A Record Of Your Symptoms

Diagnosing an allergy can be difficult. If you think you or a child in your care may have an allergy, keeping a record of symptoms can help you and your doctor to understand what is causing them.Your diary could include information about whether the symptoms occur:

• inside your home, outside or both
• for a short time or longer
• at night, during the day or when you wake up
• after you have had a particular food or drink
• after you have taken a particular medication, either prescription or over the counter from a pharmacy or supermarket
• after you have taken a herbal medicine.

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Names Of Common Types Of Fish

• Dips, spreads, imitation crab/lobster meat
• Combination foods such as fried rice, paella, spring rolls
• Garnishes, e.g. antipasto, caponata
• Gelatin, marshmallows
• Sauces, e.g., marinara/puttanesca, Nuoc Mâm, and Worcestershire
• Spreads, e.g. taramasalata

• Pet food and pet bedding
• Compost or fertilizers

What Are The 4 Types Of Allergic Reactions

There are four types of allergic reactions: immediate, cytotoxic, immune-complex mediated and delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Allergic reactions occur when the bodys immune system has a reaction to something it sees as harmful. The most common type of allergy is anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Other types include urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

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Do All Shellfish Cause The Same Reaction

Often, if you have an allergy to one type of shellfish, you will have an allergy to other types. Crustaceans cause more allergic reactions than mollusks.

You might have a reaction after eating lobster, for example, but eat scallops without a problem. If you have symptoms after eating shellfish, talk with your healthcare provider or allergist before eating any type of shellfish.

How Long Does Fish Allergy Last

Milk, eggs and soy allergies may disappear over time. People with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish can livea lifetime. About one-third of children and adults with a food allergy eventually get over it. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening reaction to an allergen. Symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

In severe cases, people may need to be admitted to the hospital. If you have an allergy to a specific food, you may also experience symptoms when you eat other foods that contain the same food. For example, if you are allergic to eggs, it may be difficult for you to eat egg-containing foods such as omelets, pancakes, waffles and French toast.

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How Is A Fish Or Shellfish Allergy Diagnosed

Where there is cause for concern, or symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction after eating fish or shellfish:

Make an appointment with your GP

Keep a diary of the suspect food and the signs and symptoms experienced. Having photos of any visible symptoms such as swelling of the lips, eyes, or a rash is useful

The GP will take a history and ask a series of questions which will help decide if you have a food allergy. As the signs and symptoms of food allergy are broad, there may be other explanations or diagnoses

If a food allergy is suspected your GP may refer you to an allergist or immunologist . This is normally as an outpatient in a hospital or clinic

At your allergy appointment with the allergy doctor, you will be asked a series of questions about the food you ate, what form it was in , how long before the symptoms started and the symptoms you experienced

Your allergy doctor may request that you have some allergy tests to assist them to make a food allergy diagnosis. These may include one or more of the following:

Skin Prick Testing is where a drop of the allergen is applied to your forearm or back using a sterile instrument, allowing some of the allergen under the skin. The skin prick test is read after 15- 20 minutes and recorded as positive or negative, dependent on the presence and size of the wheal response . This skin prick test identifies the presence of antibodies .