Fish and Shellfish

Fish

There are a lot of fish in the ocean and people who are allergic to fish are usually not allergic to all of them.  However, it takes specific allergy testing, fish by fish, to figure out which specific fish is a problem. Many people who have a fish allergy just avoid all of them.  Fish allergies are up there with peanuts for the high rate of anaphylactic reactions. 

People think fish are obvious (and they usually are), but fish can ‘hide’ as well.  Watch out for anchovy paste, fish sauces and fish broths.  And who would have known that you could find fish gelatin in marshmallows. 

Oddly enough, people who are allergic to fish are generally not cross-reactive with shellfish. 

Here’s a little article on fish allergies and sources of fish.

http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Types/food-allergies/types/Pages/fish-allergy.aspx

 

Shellfish

Shellfish allergies send more people to the emergency room each year than any other allergy.  It can make you re-think that shrimp platter for your party.  Shellfish refers to the shrimp, crab and lobster, as well as octopus and squid (who knew? no shell).  Some people may be allergic to clams, mollusks, and oysters.  Shellfish allergies usually develop after early childhood and are not “outgrown.”  Shellfish are usually pretty obvious on the table, but can hide in sushi or sauces.  Some people are also sensitive to vapors when shellfish are cooking or to cross contamination on cooking spoons.

Here is a nice little article on shellfish and sensitivities.

http://www.projectallergy.com/medical-information/allergy-medical-information/shellfish-allergy-avoidance.cfm

 

PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER THIS MEDICAL ADVICE.  CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ANY ALLERGY CONCERNS, NOT WITH A FRIENDLY BLOGGER.