Shellfish Allergy, Exercise and Alcohol: When Reactions Are More Likely

Possible contributing factors

• Exercise: intense physical activity soon after eating can, in some cases, trigger or worsen a reaction
• Alcohol: may make symptoms more obvious and can affect your judgement of how you feel
• Tiredness, staying up late and during infections: reactions may look different when your body's condition changes
• Taking certain medicines at the same time: may affect how symptoms appear, so tell your doctor about them

How to prevent it

If you know you are allergic to a certain type of shellfish, strict avoidance is still the safest approach. If you need to join a meal gathering or do exercise, it is best to leave enough time in between, avoid drinking a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach, and carry your emergency plan with you.

When symptoms appear

Stop the activity and stop eating at once. If you have itchy skin, raised patches, chest tightness, wheezing or trouble breathing, do not push through it — get help right away. If you have difficulty breathing, a tight throat or a change in consciousness, call 120 (the emergency number in China) immediately. After symptoms ease, it is best to see a doctor for assessment and to record what you were doing and eating at the time.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.