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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIn severe cases, shellfish allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a dangerous allergic reaction marked by a swollen throat (airway constriction), rapid pulse, shock, and dizziness or lightheadedness. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
When you have shellfish allergy, you may be at increased risk of anaphylaxis if:
- You have asthma
- You have allergic reactions to very small amounts of shellfish (extreme sensitivity)
- You have a history of food-induced anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis can be treated with an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). If you are at risk of having a severe allergic reaction to shellfish, you should carry injectable epinephrine (such as an EpiPen) with you at all times.
- Sicherer SH. Seafood allergies: Fish and shellfish. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Sampson HA. Food-induced anaphylaxis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Sicherer SH. Food allergen avoidance. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Burks W. Clinical manifestations of food allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Wood R. The natural history of childhood food allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- James JM, et al. Respiratory manifestations of food allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Marcus EN. Marine toxins. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Burks W. History and physical examination in the patient with possible food allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Burks W. Diagnostic tools for food allergy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Seafood allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2006/winter/seafood.asp. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Seafood allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=518. Accessed April 22, 2009.
