Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

I do not eat fish so i wouldnt know if i have an allergy.
This wkd DH and i went to Benihana and after eating a few bits f my meal, my lips swelled up and became increasingly tingly. Since they prepare the food on the same grill w/ the same utensils, i was led to believe that perhaps i might have a slight reaction to shellfish. The chef was cooking shrimp and lobster and then used the same spatula to cook my chicken. Not to mention he put shrimp on my plates and i scraped it onto DH's (using my chopsticks which i later ate from)

Today is Monday and they still hurt A LOT. They arent as swollen but they are itchy as HE!! and dry and tingly.

I took a Benydryl. DO you think thatll help?

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

Yes it def will help and it def sounds like an allergy to shellfish. I hope you feel better soon.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

Hopefully the benadryl helped, always works for me but makes me pass out. I have numerous food allergies. You should really see an allergist. You may want to get an epi pen in the case of an emergency. Sometimes the body reacts differently to the same food. You should be sure of what made you react. Good luck.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

i would definitely go to an allergist! i used to eat shellfish without any issues but when i became a teenager same thing happened.. got some swelling some hives didnt realize it was from the shellfish took some benedryl and was fine afterwards...
the next time i had shellfish i went into anaphalytic shock and was rushed asap to the hospital.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

DH is allergic to crab. Shellfish allergies aren't something to fool around with - they can be serious. I would go an allergist or at least your PCP and get tested. You might need an epi pen. It is something you want to know about b/c things like MRI with contrast can't be done b.c you can't receive contrast if you have a shellfish allergy.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

I would definitely get to an allergist to make sure that that's what the allergy is. Shellfish allergies can be very dangerous and your reaction sounds pretty severe. MRI contrast is safe for you but if you ever need a CT scan with the IV contrast, you need to make sure you alert your doctor before having the test done because you will need to be premedicated with a steroid to prevent an allergic reaction to the dye. There is a protein in shellfish that is the cause of the allergy that is similar to what is in the CT contrast agent and there is a good chance you could have a reaction to it as well.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

you can always develop a food allergy at any point in life. I have a severe shellfish allergy that I discovered when I was about 12, eventhough I had eaten shellfish for years before that. I went into anaphylactic shock, my throat closed, eyes swelled, ears blew up, palms got itchy, etc.

If I were you, I would get a Rx for an Epipen, and keep it in your pocketbook. You never know when something is made with shellfish, or cooked near it.

Normally, with shellfish allergies, you are allergic to the iodine found in it.

Message edited 12/6/2010 8:22:52 PM.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

I ate shellfish my entire life and never had an issue and then when I was 28 I had 3 shrimp from a Hibachi place (kinda ironic) and a few hours later I was covered in hives and itching like crazy. at that point I had no idea what the reaction was from but went to the hospital to get IV benadryl and some steroids to bring down the inflammation. I went to my regular doctor who referred me to an allergist and come to find out I am very allergic to all shellfish. Crazy how these things develop later on in life. The thing with food allergies is that each subsequent allergic reaction is that it gets worse and worse so if you had a reaction like that from contact and no ingestion i would definitely seek the assistance of an allergist. I see an amazing woman in Stony Brook if you want her contact info let me know. She is great and her who staff is so wonderful. Also, the whole iodine allergy is a myth (according to the allergist). She explained that those with shellfish allergies are allergic to the protein in the shellfish which isn't found in iodine. I have had contrast testing done with iodine and did not have a problem at all. Good luck!

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

I have a lot of serious food allergies and angioedema (the swelling you experienced) is usually a sign of an allergic reaction. I suggest you go to an allergist and ask to have a food panel done ASAP because these allergies can be extremely dangerous. I never had food allergies until I was 26 and since then I've gone into full blown anaphylaxsis twice.

Re: Shellfish allergy. Anyone?

please get an epi-pen carry it with you. my epi has saved my life couple of times.. i had no clue what was i was allergic too and it took years before they finally pointed out what it was.. carry benadryl with as well..

the first reaction is usually milder, compared to the next time (god forbid). benadryl liquid works faster and do a double dose.. its scary..