Seafood of many sorts is simply irresistible! Truly unique-looking when uncooked, and mouth-watering when fresh seafood is taken out of the kitchen, then placed down on your dining table! Shrimps, crabs, squids, fish and many more seafood classifications are there to satisfy your fresh seafood cravings and to supply you with the vital nutrients they carry!

But wait! Not everyone gets happy and full when seafood is on the table. Why? Some are allergic to all or some of them, and you could be one of those peeps! You should know if you are, and if yes, being careful and responsible about what you eat is essential! You should know the noticeable symptoms when you have seafood allergies. 

Before you know what symptoms you will have when you have ingested your fair share of seafood that you’re allergic to, first, know what an allergy really is. Well, people might think it is a disease or some ailment. They are not wrong but not entirely right either. Actually, it’s just an occurrence of your body’s immune system overreacting or wrongly reacting to the item (food) that you are allergic with. 

For example, some people have an allergy to flower pollen. Pollens, just in general, are plant gametes, so they don’t really do anything bad or attack your body, but some immune systems recognize them as a threat. That’s why they do some anti-invader precautionary measures like causing you to sneeze, cough, inflame your sinuses and mucous membrane, and have other bothersome body reactions. In the case of seafood though, your immune system mistakes a certain protein of that food to be harmful, thus, triggering a reaction or an overreaction. 

Get it on, and check out the list of 4 common symptoms that you will experience when you are allergic to seafood! 

1. SWELLING

Notice an unusual bulge or random fattening of some parts of your body? It might be because of the seafood you just ate for lunch.

One of the troubling symptoms of seafood allergies is when certain body parts become inflamed and swollen. It could be angioedema too. The swelling portion may feel painful. A usual swelling symptom is anaphylaxis, a very inconvenient allergic symptom where your lips get bloated due to inflammation or a build-up of fluid and pus under the skin of your lips. 

The swelling usually lasts under six weeks, but if it still persists, then you may need to call on more appropriate medical treatment. You may use antihistamines and other anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling of the part of your body. You need to consult your doctor for proper medical attention if the condition is unmanageable for you.

 2. ABDOMINAL PAIN AND DIARRHEA

You will feel it, and you will know it! One of the most expected symptoms of seafood allergies are stomach pains, aches, problems and other things that can make your tummy frown. 

You may experience mild to unbearably horrible pain in your abdomen, depending on how bad your immune system reacts. It may also depend on the degree of your seafood allergy. This may cause a domino effect of problems to arise in your stomach like flatulence and the present in many unwell feelings, Mr. Diarrhea. Watery stools and just literal water may be released instead of the usual solid mass of indigestible material. This can cause certain problems, most probably pain in your lower half, making you constantly need to go to the bathroom. 

Recommended are OTC loperamide and other pain relievers to lessen pain in your stomach and help with your diarrhea. Make sure that they are suitable for you first! And the most reliable piece of advice is to consult your doctor when you are in need of further medical attention.

3. DIZZINESS, NAUSEA AND VOMITING

The world surely goes round and round, especially when you’re dizzy! One of the earliest signs of allergic reactions from ingesting seafood is dizziness. Worse, it is joined by headaches, nausea and vomiting. 

When you feel light-headed, in need of rest due to the room spinning round and round, or just having headaches due to seafood intake, don’t immediately move around. Rest well. Do your best to calm down and not do anything rash. Lie down in a quiet room. Drink water and appropriate liquids. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen in order to minimize the pain you are having in your head. 

You may need to put a moist, cold cloth on your forehead to relieve your headache and pains somewhat. Prepare a bag or a room near the comfort room or the sink just in case you feel like vomiting. 

To further your effective medical attention, quickly go to the nearest clinic, hospital or any health care center/facility to relieve these unwanted symptoms. If you cannot drive to these medical institutions, just take the medicines prescribed by your doctor or call him/her as needed.

4. TROUBLED BREATHING AND NASAL CONGESTION

Upon eating the innocent culprit which is seafood, you may start to slowly but surely experience havoc in your sinuses. You may feel as if your throat or windpipe has suddenly tightened and become inflamed. Your nose may feel swollen or blocked, making it hard to breathe. Alas, you might be experiencing the dreadful symptoms of seafood allergy! 

Drink antihistamines and other proper medicines to relieve you of the difficult breathing. Avoid panicking because it might make your breathing even harder. If it becomes really troublesome for you, go to your doctor immediately. 

EAT CAREFULLY

The symptoms of seafood allergies mentioned above might be obtained accidentally. That is when you did not know that there were seafood ingredients in the food you ate. They could also be caused by your hardheadedness and desire to really eat seafood even though you know the consequences!

Seafood allergies can be very inconvenient and might be dangerous to the health. Be careful of what you eat, so you can avoid unintentional seafood intake. If you are allowed to eat seafood though, be certain that you take the right amounts only — do not overeat! Consult your doctor, and be conscious about your health and wellbeing.

Fresh seafood is super delicious and healthy in many ways, however, for people allergic to it, being extra cautious is a must!

Nicole Ann Pore is the writer of this article.