Oyster Allergies
I have become allergic to oysters. What can I do about it or should I just avoid them?
Best Answer:
An oyster allergy is less well known than other seafood allergies. As other shellfish related allergies, symptoms can range from mild such as oral allergy syndrome to the severe such as anaphylactic shock. Seafood related allergies are the most common of all food allergies worldwide.
The technical term for oysters are bivalve molluscs and an allergy to oysters is also associated with allergy to other bivalves such as clams, mussels, and scallops. If someone has been diagnosed with an allergy to one mollusc, they will usually be advised by their physician to avoid all molluscs. It is interesting to note that people with a known allergy to shrimp can usually consume molluscs without reaction. However, there are rare cases where an individual is allergic to both types of shellfish. Furthermore, persons which are known to be allergic to finfish (such as cod or salmon) do not generally have allergies to shellfish.
All shellfish allergies are primarily due to an individual’s reaction to tropomyosin, a protein present in shellfish. Symptoms of a oyster and shellfish allergy are:
- Urticaria (hives) and angioedema (swelling)
- Urticaria (hives) of the hands from handling seafood
- Asthma
- Vomiting, looses stools and abdominal pains
- Mild to severe Atopic Eczema
- Anaphylaxis leading to the possibility of death
Source: Yahoo Answers
1990–Viva Las Vegas, Part 6 (Oyster Allergy)
