Food allergies are the result of a fault in the body’s immune system that incorrectly identifies certain foods as invaders to the body. The noticeable symptoms of a food allergy are the results of the immune system trying to rid the body of the invading food.

One of the more common food allergies, affecting around 2 per cent of the population is shellfish allergy. There are two groups into which you can categorize shellfish, there are the crustacean such as shrimp, crab and lobster, and then there are the mollusks such as oysters, squid, octopus, scallops and mussels.

Once a shellfish allergy has been diagnosed the best way to deal with it is complete avoidance, however many people who are allergic to shellfish in the crustacean group may be able to tolerate mollusks and vice versa.

The severity of reactions to a shellfish allergy can range widely from the mild to extremely severe. The symptoms of shellfish allergies can become apparent within minutes of consuming it, but it can also take a few hours before any reaction becomes apparent. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for.

• Hives, itching or eczema.
• Swelling that affects the lips, face, tongue and throat. The swelling can become severe enough to become life threatening.
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pains.
• Dizziness
• Fainting

It is rare that an allergic reaction to shellfish can result in life-threatening anaphylaxis, but it is a symptom that is possible. Anaphylaxis results in breathing difficulties and should be treated as an emergency, getting the patient to the hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

As with other food allergies, the auto-immune system in your body malfunctions and identifies the shellfish protein as harmful to the body. Antibodies are triggered in order to neutralize the protein and histamine in the body are released which are a factor in the allergic reaction symptoms we experience.

People who are allergic to shellfish must also be on guard for products that contain the shellfish proteins to which their bodies react. Some dietary supplements contain shells from crustaceans and although it is indicated by studies that it is unlikely that the allergies will be triggered by the crustacean shells, those who are concerned should avoid taking glucosamine.

Another supplement that potentially contains extracts from shellfish is Omega-3 supplements. These are often made from seafood, most often fish, but it is recommended that you check the label for the ingredients before taking them.

There has been some research that indicates that if your parents or someone in your family suffers from shellfish allergy, the chances are high that you may be as well. To avoid inadvertently eating shellfish and suffering either a mild or severe allergic reaction, it is advisable to go to the doctor to get tested.

It appears that women are more likely to have a shellfish allergy than men which could indicate a difference in the immune systems between the sexes. This is merely speculation with no definitive research having been performed yet.

There are a number of factors surrounding shellfish allergies that suggest that it could be more widespread than the number indicate. The nature of the various types of shellfish and some folk’s aversion to it could mean that there are people who are allergic to it but are too repulsed by the thought of eating an oyster to find out. The look and smell of shellfish causes many to keep their distance and, who knows, perhaps that is protecting them from coming in contact with an allergen.

Another factor that could be skewing the figures is that the majority of shellfish is quite expensive and so a fair chunk of the community simply can’t afford to buy it.

If you experience any strange feeling after eating any kind of shellfish it is highly advisable that you consult a doctor and get yourself tested for shellfish allergy.