What Is a Fish Allergy - And Can You Live With It?

Some people who are allergic to fish are able to consume shellfish; while conversely, some people who cannot eat shellfish can have fish. Fish allergy manifests itself when individuals have a negative medical reaction to certain proteins in fish. Many people are allergic to the types of fish that are generally consumed by others; such as cod, Pollock, salmon, tuna and snapper. Allergy testing can be used to check if a person is allergic to fish.

A fish allergy more often than not starts in maturity and it may be something that lasts a lifetime. Due to the fact that the proteins that cause allergic reactions in people tend to be found in such a wide cross-section of fishes, people who are allergic are often times told to stay away from fish altogether. However, if an individual wants to continue eating the fishes they do not have an allergic reaction to, then allergy testing could be used to make the differentiation for them.

An individual may not be allergic to a specific fish, but may be allergic to the fishes they themselves eat. Albeit this is an uncommon allergy, it may be the most maddening, as you may have an allergic reaction to a fish meal one day and the next time you have it, it does not affect you. Vigilant testing may be the only way to identify which fish you are allergic to.

Commonly, fish allergies manifest themselves in a physical way where the mouth itches; there is skin irritation and uneasiness of the intestine. Some people have a more severe reaction; wherein there is an enlargement of their airways which can cause them to go into anaphylactic shock. It is important for you to find out from the people who also consumed the fish meal, if they are experiencing the same reaction. If not, then you should go to the doctor to get the allergy test and treatment if necessary. However, whether or not others are having the same reaction, once your reaction is severe, you should go to the doctor immediately.

As previously alluded to, you can have an allergic reaction to fish by way of cross-contamination. As such, caution should be taken when you decide to order fish in a restaurant. Restaurants that use a grill can inadvertently cause cross-contamination when the air becomes a conductor. Persons suffering from fish allergies should also either avoid Asian restaurants or at the very least, ask what is in their sauces, as many of their sauces do have fish in them. Mediterranean dishes are also widely known for the inclusion of fish in their ingredients. With this in mind, persons who have a history of fish allergy should make sure the waiters know that they should not be consuming fish in any form.