What Causes Allergic Reaction To Seafood. Not only can allergic reactions occur from consuming the food but also from inhalation of vapours from the cooking process and even handling the product. Shellfish allergies occur when the bodys immune system reacts against the proteins present in these animals. Seafood allergies can also cause a severe skin reaction or can trigger an asthma attack. Its best to speak with your allergist about the types of seafood you are allowed and not allowed to eat.
But it is important to remember that an allergic reaction to shellfish is often very serious and is one of the main causes of anaphylaxis triggered by an allergen. Some such allergic reactions include Scombroid fish poisoning Anisakis Simplex Metabisulfite reactions etc. In addition there can be an allergic reaction to Anisakis proteins even if the food in question was frozen or cooked before being consumed killing the nematodes as some of the nematode proteins are resistant to cold and heat. So be sure to discuss with your allergist whether your allergy is to one or both types of shellfish and whether you should be eating either. The most common foods people are allergic to include cows milk peanuts tree nuts soy fish shellfish and wheat. While eating the food is the major trigger for allergic reactions some sensitive individuals may react to the fumes when seafood is being cooked and occasionally from touch such as when cleaning and handling fish or even injected such as penetration of the skin from fish hooks.
In addition there can be an allergic reaction to Anisakis proteins even if the food in question was frozen or cooked before being consumed killing the nematodes as some of the nematode proteins are resistant to cold and heat.
These seafood include scaly fish shellfish and crustaceans. Seafood allergy is caused by an abnormal response of the bodys immune system to protein in certain marine animals. In seafood allergy your immune system mistakenly identifies a certain protein in shellfish as harmful triggering the production of antibodies to the protein allergen. So be sure to discuss with your allergist whether your allergy is to one or both types of shellfish and whether you should be eating either. In an allergic reaction the bodys defense system incorrectly detects danger. Even just handling fish or smelling the steam of cooking seafood can trigger a serious allergic reaction in people who are extremely sensitive to seafood and shellfish.