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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe only sure way to prevent an allergic reaction to shellfish is to avoid shellfish altogether. Most people with a shellfish allergy can eat fish, however.
Despite your best efforts, however, you may still come in contact with shellfish. If you experience a mild allergic reaction to shellfish, medications such as antihistamines may reduce signs and symptoms, such as rash and itchiness. Antihistamines can be taken after exposure to shellfish to control your reaction and help relieve discomfort.
If you have a severe allergic reaction to shellfish (anaphylaxis), you'll likely need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). If you're at risk of having a severe reaction, carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen, EpiPen Jr.) with you at all times.
Administer an emergency injection of epinephrine if you experience any of these symptoms after exposure to shellfish:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swollen throat
- Wheezing or a repetitive dry cough
- Chest tightness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or a feeling that you're going to faint
After you use epinephrine, seek emergency medical care.
- Lopata AL, et al. Shellfish allergy. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2010;40: 850.
- Lopata AL, et al. New insights into seafood allergy. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;9:270.
- Sicherer SH. Seafood allergies: Fish and shellfish. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 5, 2011.
- Atopic and allergic disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec13/ch165/ch165c.html?qt=seadfood%20allergy&alt=sh. Accessed April 8, 2011.
- Seafood allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2006/winter/seafood.asp. Accessed April 8, 2011.
- Kurowski K, et al. Food allergies: Detection and management. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1678.
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