Common Signs of Shellfish Allergy: From Itching Around the Mouth to Whole-Body Reactions
The symptoms of shellfish allergy cover a wide range, from local discomfort to whole-body reactions.
Common signs
- Skin: itching and redness around the mouth and face, hives, local swelling
- Digestive tract: nausea, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Airways: itchy nose, sneezing, cough, chest tightness, wheezing
- Whole body: dizziness, a racing heart, feeling unwell, and in severe cases a drop in blood pressure
Timing varies a lot
Most reactions appear within a few minutes to two hours after eating, but some are delayed by several hours. The same shellfish cooked in different ways may cause reactions of different severity, so you cannot judge the level of risk from one experience alone.
What to do
If itching around the mouth or mild hives appear, stop eating at once, rinse your mouth with water and watch for changes. If you have throat tightness, trouble breathing, a hoarse voice, hives all over the body, repeated vomiting or feeling unwell, call 120 right away and follow your emergency plan. Do not wait and watch.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.