Shrimp allergy: symptoms and what to do

Shrimp allergy can be identified based on signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling them, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat, creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.

In general, people with an allergy to shrimp are also allergic to other seafood, such as oysters, lobster and shellfish, and it is important to be aware of the emergence of allergies related to these foods.

Since, in most cases, shrimp allergy symptoms tend to be severe and even cause shortness of breath, it is important that this food is completely removed from the diet, in addition to being recommended that the person with the allergy has a epinephrine injector pen, which can be used in emergency situations, especially when eating out, for example.

Shrimp allergy symptoms

Symptoms of shrimp allergy may appear a few minutes after consumption, however, in some cases, just the smell is enough to cause the symptoms to appear, the main ones being:

• Itch;
• Red plaques on the skin;
• Swelling in the lips, eyes, tongue and throat;
• Dor abdominal;
• Diarrhea;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Dizziness or fainting;
• Drop in pressure.

In the most serious cases, the allergy can cause an exaggerated reaction of the immune system, causing anaphylaxis, a serious condition that causes difficulty breathing and must be treated immediately in the hospital, as it can lead to death. See how to identify anaphylactic shock and what to do.

Allergy to preservatives used in frozen foods

Sometimes allergy symptoms arise not because of the shrimp, but because of a preservative called “sodium metabisulfite,” which is used in frozen foods. In these cases, the severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of preservative consumed, and symptoms do not appear when the shrimp is eaten fresh.

To avoid this problem, you should always look at the list of ingredients on the label of frozen products and avoid those that contain sodium metabisulfite.

Online symptom test

To find out if you have an allergy, please select the symptoms you are experiencing:

This test is just a guidance tool. Therefore, it is not intended to provide a diagnosis and does not replace consultation with an allergist, immunologist or general practitioner.

How to confirm the diagnosis

To confirm the diagnosis of shrimp allergy, in addition to evaluating the symptoms that arise, the doctor may also order allergy tests such as a skin test, in which a small amount of the protein found in shrimp is injected into the skin to check whether or not there will be a reaction, and the blood test, which checks the presence of defense cells against shrimp proteins. Understand how allergy testing is done.

What to do

Shrimp allergy is a potentially dangerous situation, as it can impede breathing when it leads to swelling of the glottis in the throat, causing suffocation and potentially leading to death, depending on how long the person is without oxygen. Therefore, in case of a severe allergy to shrimp, with shortness of breath, you should:

1. Call an ambulance immediately or ask someone to do it by calling 192;
2. Lay the person down with your back on the floor, turning it on its side so as not to suffocate if you start to vomit;
3. Loosen your clothes tight, such as a shirt, tie or belt, for example;
4. Start cardiac massage if breathing stops, until medical help arrives. Learn how to do cardiac massage correctly.

When a person already knows they are allergic to shrimp, they are likely to have an injection of epinephrine, in the form of a pen, in a bag or pocket, for example. If you can find this pen, you should apply it as quickly as possible to your thighs or arm to make breathing easier.

It is important to know first aid procedures for shrimp allergies, especially when you work in restaurants or know someone with this type of allergy. Despite difficulty breathing, you should not pierce the person's throat, as there is a very high risk of causing damage to the structures inside the throat.

What to do in case of a mild allergy

If the person does not have shortness of breath, but has other allergy symptoms such as a swollen or red face, an antiallergic medication, such as Cetirizine or Desloratadine, should be used to prevent symptoms from continuing to develop and causing difficulty breathing.

Initially, the tablet should be placed under the tongue so that it is absorbed more easily and takes less time to take effect. However, as the tablets usually have a very bitter taste, it may not be possible to let them melt completely and you can drink the rest with water.