Talking Allergies

I've recently developed a shellfish allergy and I was at my allergist yesterday. I addressed my concern about eating regular fin fish, which in the past I ate about once a week with no problems. He was hesitant to say either way if I would be allergic to fin fish because I am now allergic to shellfish. I have not eaten any fish since developing the shellfish allergy. Basically I have been too paranoid and scared to go near fish for the last 2 months.

My allergist suggested doing skin testing for regular fin fish. I am going to be getting 3 panels w/6 species of fish in each panel and then possibly an oral challenge. My skin test appointment is in 2 weeks and I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who had an adult onset shellfish allergy and also tested positive for allergies to fin fish? Or anyone who has a shellfish allergy and is not allergic to fin fish? How did you find out? Skin test? Oral challenge?

Any help would be great!

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-N
Allergic to: shellfish, corn, pork, cabbage, onion, spinach, melon, black pepper, cow's milk, dust mites, general dust, ragweed and feathers
Sensitivity to: Egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla

Hi nochockyj
Not sure how much of a help I can be to you as I have more questions than answers. I became shellfish allergic as an adult. when diagnosed was told allergic to all fish so avoided all. years later and different allergist he said no to shellfish (no question to that) but yes to fish. It did take a while but started with can tuna (have read somewhere on this site that can makes a difference) have been enjoying tilapia and the can tuna no problem. But this weekend had fresh salmon and after about two hours not good. everyone else who ate it was fine I called the company to see if there could be any cross contamination with shellfish, they said no. I find an allergic reaction that is gastro does not feel the same as a stomach flu so I do believe it was allergy. Now I am leary to eat the other fish that I have had no problem with. I do think you can be allergic to shellfish and not to fin fish but I now wonder if the fin fish have a dividing line and one can eat some but not others? If you get tested in a few weeks I would wait to see results. I would say if I had an oral challenge I would pass as my reaction was two to three hours later. What would be my reaction the next time aswell.

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Me-Allergic to Peanut, Tree Nut, Coconut, Shellfish, ASA and Asthma
My Husband and Children No Allergies

Thanks for your insights!

I became shellfish allergic 2 months ago after eating a large shrimp dinner. For the last several years, sometimes when I would eat shellfish, I would have stomach distress several hours later. I thought it was gastro-reflux or something, but looking back I think it was a gastro reaction to shellfish. I certainly hope my skin tests for fish come back negative because I really like Salmon, cod, herring, anchovies, etc. I read somewhere that of all fin fish allergies, an allergy to cod is most common.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It seems fin fish allergies can also have sudden adult onset just like shellfish.

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-N
Allergic to: shellfish, corn, pork, cabbage, onion, spinach, melon, black pepper, cow's milk, dust mites, general dust, ragweed and feathers
Sensitivity to: Egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla

Last year I tested positive for cod only and not shellfish or any other fish. In the last few months I find if I eat anything with shrimp in it I get short of breath and wheezy, it feels like my lungs are in a vise grip. the last time I took 2 antihistamines right away and it passed with an hour but since then I am afraid to try anything with shrimp in it with the fear my reaction could be worse. Also since testing positive for cod I have not tried any other fish mostly out of fear as well.

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allergic to all tree pollens except grass, hazelnuts, fruit and some veggies

Perhaps being aware of which fin fish might eat shellfish may prove useful? Salmon eats shrimp, which I'm told gives salmon its pink colour. I'd ask a specialist what fish do not eat other shell fish. I used to be able to tell the difference between an egg from a Vegetarian fed hen and a non-vegetarian fed hen. I reacted much more to the non-vegetarian fed hen. I'm now EF, now I know that I'm not supposed to be eating either. Just a thought.

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Asthma, SHF, GF, EF, Allergic: Meat, Poultry, Laurel, Mustard, Gras, Mallow, Plantain, Flacourtia, Pine family; ETOH, Vinegars, CremeTartar, Cucumbrs, Fenugrk, Most of Lily, Myrtle, Parsley, Nightshade, Composite familys. Pomgrante, Litchi, Starfrt

My skin tests to fin fish came back negative. I finally ate a little piece of cod the other day. Part of it is still a huge mental challenge to be able to eat fish without fear of having a reaction. I get so leery of how fin fish is processed and packed because it could have been contaminated with shellfish along the way. I guess I will be on the learning curve with all of this..

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-N
Allergic to: shellfish, corn, pork, cabbage, onion, spinach, melon, black pepper, cow's milk, dust mites, general dust, ragweed and feathers
Sensitivity to: Egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla

N, Our son is allergic to fish, so we've been told to avoid shellfish. However, our allergist has said that we should try to not avoid foods that he has tested negative to (for example, he recently tested negative to some beans although he is allergic to peanuts and green peas). I'm not the best at this due to the fear that he will have a reaction, so I understand your concern. But, it would be awful for you to avoid healthy foods such as fish since you have now tested negative. Believe me, I understand your concern, but many people who are shellfish allergic are not fish allergic. Our allergist said that tuna is one of the least allergenic, whereas salmon is one of the highest. Our son's allergist keeps testing him for fish at each annual appointment. Maybe you can start out slowly, eat the fish from the tin first, and ALWAYS have your Epipens nearby. Did your allergist instruct you as to how to proceed with an oral challenge? You've never had a reaction before, but if you're worried, maybe you can try an oral challenge for each fish. We have done this with a few foods with our son. You start with a miniscule amount of the food, touch your face, wait 10-15 minutes, then touch your lip, wait 10-15 minutes, then touch your tongues, wait 10-15 minutes, then eat the miniscule amount, wait 10-15 minutes, then double that miniscule amount every 10 - 15 minutes. It is a long process and can take up to 3 hours to eat enough of the food (which is still not all that much) but it will be enough to determine if you are allergic.

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14 yr old daughter: no health issues
11 yr old son: allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, sesame, sunflower, mustard, poppy seeds, green peas, some fruits, instructed to avoid all other legumes (except soy & green beans), pollen, cats, horses

Thank you for your advice. It is reassuring to know that others have the same concerns and fears and I'm not the only one. My allergist encouraged me to "live" and said that I should try to enjoy fish and not let the fear be detrimental to my overall health. Slowly but surely I think I will get there and Julie, I'm sure you'll get there too with your son's allergies. Thanks for the encouragement!

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-N
Allergic to: shellfish, corn, pork, cabbage, onion, spinach, melon, black pepper, cow's milk, dust mites, general dust, ragweed and feathers
Sensitivity to: Egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla