Shellfish allergy

[AustinTink]

I didn't eat any shellfish growing up (due to my mom's allergy) but tried clam chowder when I was about 16. Was fine with it until I was about 18 when out of the blue, I had a bad reaction.

That's very interesting about the pork....I've never heard that and we tend to eat pork pretty regularly. Hmmmmm.

I have been told to avoid iodine, such as Betadine. And also to be careful having a CT with contrast (which, thankfully, I've never needed!).

That reminded me, I had a CT with contrast done right around the same time i was diagnosed with my shellfish allergy. They were ready and waiting for a reaction, but thankfully nothing happened.

 

[njmom47]

I had eaten shrimp, lobster and scallops many times, then within a couple of years, had a reaction to all of them (ER all 3 times). I can eat fish such as salmon and flounder. I also mention iodine as an allergy at the drs or before medical procedures (so far, so good, as I've had 3 kids - no betadine and the same medical procedure as a pp with dye).

 

[cglaura]

I have severe allergies to shellfish. I can eat regular fish fine though, and have never had any problems with pork. As pp mentioned, the issue with cross-contamination might be a problem. Fooderies are supposed to keep things like that separate, but I have had attacks ordering chicken at a seafood restaurant.

On a tmi note (sorry ) my allergy is so bad I have had a reaction when I was intimate with my S.O. when he had shellfish (he had it w/in a few hours). I never even though to ask, it is so absurd now. Have you used protection in the past? Have you been tested? Have you had shellfish??? Like I said, sorry tmi!!

I carry an epi pen and benydryl all the time. I have a medic alert bracelet to let the er know, because I'm not supposed to have x-ray dyes because of this allergy.

 

[disfan07]

I was told that the contrast that they now use with both CT scans and MRIs has nothing to do with a shellfish allergy. They've changed it and it does not have a counter reaction in someone with a shellfish allergy.

I have had 6 CT scans and 4 MRIs with contrast since my diagnosis and have never had a problem. My allergist told me that its not an issue anymore and every other doctor has also said it's not a problem.

I am allergic to shellfish but I eat other fish but we know for a fact that I am not allergic to other fish because I have been tested for it. I am getting retested in a couple of weeks because we think I developed another new allergy and I am crossing my fingers we are wrong. Eggs, peanuts, shellfish and sodium benzoate are bad enough!

 

[LisaR]

I was told that the contrast that they now use with both CT scans and MRIs has nothing to do with a shellfish allergy. They've changed it and it does not have a counter reaction in someone with a shellfish allergy.

I have had 6 CT scans and 4 MRIs with contrast since my diagnosis and have never had a problem. My allergist told me that its not an issue anymore and every other doctor has also said it's not a problem.

I am allergic to shellfish but I eat other fish but we know for a fact that I am not allergic to other fish because I have been tested for it. I am getting retested in a couple of weeks because we think I developed another new allergy and I am crossing my fingers we are wrong. Eggs, peanuts, shellfish and sodium benzoate are bad enough!

I wonder when they made the changes? I had a bladder infection that wouldn't go away about 2 years ago. For most people, they would do an IVP with contrast. The urologist asked me to describe my shellfish reactions and then said 'no way' to the IVP. He said some people can get the contrast and will be fine but my reactions were too severe.

At first I was happy because I hate any type of procedure but I discovered it meant I had to get knocked out and have exploratory surgery instead. Not happy about that! It turned out to be a good thing, I guess, because they were able to fix the problem right then and there. If I would have had the IVP done first I would still have needed the surgery so I saved myself one test.

 

[Mermaid02]

My son is allergic to shellfish. He is actually getting retested Friday, hoping he no longer is (he outgrew a peanut allergy as well as a haddock allergy- so we are hopeful). He can eat other fish- but mostly only likes haddock (we were very relieved when he outgrew that one!).

 

[princessmom29]

DH and DD are allergic to shellfish, but it is limited to those containing iodine, essentially anything that turns red when cooked. They can eat all fish and any type of mussel, oyster, or clam.