IMPORTANT The information provided is of a general nature and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. If you think you may suffer from an allergic or other disease that requires attention, you should discuss it with your family doctor. The content of the information articles and all illustrations on this website remains the intellectual property of Dr Raymond Mullins and cannot be reproduced without written permission.

Summary

Seafood allergy occurs most commonly where seafood is an important part of the diet, such as Asia and Scandinavia. It is more common in adults than children. Seafood allergy usually remains a life long problem. Some conditions caused by toxins or parasites in seafood can resemble allergic reactions to seafood.

Seafood allergy is not rare

While estimates vary from country to country, approximately 1% of the population is estimated to suffer from seafood allergy, which is more common in teenage and adult life than very early childhood, although there are significant regional and ethnic differences. An estimated 20% will grow out of their allergy with time.

Symptoms of seafood allergy are usually obvious

Many allergic reactions to seafood are mild and cause hives (urticaria) or swelling (angioedema). The most dangerous symptoms are breathing difficulties or collapse [a drop in blood pressure (shock)], either of which can be life threatening. This is known as anaphylaxis, which is the most severe type of allergic reaction. Other symptoms can include swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, tightness in the chest, vomiting or diarrhoea. Occasionally, breathing difficulties (severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis) may occur from inhaling fumes when seafood is being cooked, and in seafood processing factories. Children with a history of asthma may be more likely to have severe allergic reactions to seafood.

There are many varieties of seafood

The major groups of seafood that can trigger allergic reactions are:

VERTEBRATES
Fish (such as salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines, herring, anchovies, tuna, trout, haddock, John Dory, eels, rays)

INVERTEBTRATES(SHELLFISH)
Crustaceans (such as prawns/shrimps, lobster, crab, crayfish, yabbies)
Molluscs (such as oysters, mussels, clams, octopus, squid, calamari, abalone, sea slugs)

The term “shellfish” is used to encompass both crustacean and molluscs, which have shells on their body, in contrast to fish.

Allergies may occur to one or many foods

Even though fish and shellfish live in the same place, the proteins allergens present in one seafood group are generally considered to be very different to those in others. That means that one can be allergic to fish only, shellfish only or members of both groups. People who are allergic to one fish are usually (but not always) allergic to  most other fish. Similarly, allergy to one crustacean usually means that all must be avoided. While those allergic to seafood from one group can usually tolerate those from another, this cannot be guaranteed without specific allergy testing.

Cross reactivity can be difficult to predict without testing

Cross reactivity means that a similar protein is present in a range of different foods. If the same protein is present in several foods, then that person may have allergic reactions to any food containing that protein. Examples of cross reactivity include people allergic to similar proteins present in one fish that are also present in other fish, or those allergic to proteins present in prawn, crab and lobster. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to predict whether a person will be allergic to one unique protein allergen present in one food only, or several similar cross reactive proteins present in multiple foods, simply based on whether foods have a similar appearance. Therefore it is not possible to reliably predict the likelihood of allergy to one or more seafood group or individual seafood species without specific testing.

Cooking can sometimes affect tolerance

Seafood allergens are usually very heat stable and can not easily be destroyed through cooking, although occasional individuals seem to tolerate tinned fish yet are unable to tolerate the same fish freshly cooked.

Exposure may occur via multiple routes

While eating the food is the major trigger for allergic reactions, some sensitive individuals may react to the fumes when seafood is being cooked, and occasionally from touch, such as when cleaning and handling fish or even “injected”, such as penetration of the skin from fish hooks. Occupational asthma and contact rashes can also be a problem where exposure is frequent, such as in seafood processing factories, or in some food handlers such as chefs.

Delayed reactions to seafood

Allergic symptoms after contact with seafood are usually within minutes, however, delayed type reactions and particularly exercise-induced anaphylaxis is occasionally observed, particularly after ingestion of shellfish (such as oyster, abalone, squid and shrimp).

Delayed reactions to seafood: FPIES

Allergic symptoms after eating seafood usually occur within 1-2 hours, however, delayed type reactions and particularly exercise-induced anaphylaxis is occasionally observed, particularly after ingestion of shellfish (such as oyster, abalone, squid and shrimp). There is also an uncommon condition called FPIES (Food protein induced enterocolitis). Mainly affecting very young children, it is characterised by severe and repetitive vomiting and diarrhea, typically 2-6 hours after eating, and symptoms may last 24 hours. In adults, the major trigger is seafood. But routine allergy tests are negative.  So if it happens once, it may be food poisoning, but if it happens multiple times, think of FPIES. In adults it does not seem to go.

Avoiding seafood groups is an important part of management

Immunotherapy to “switch off” food allergy is not currently available, although this is an active area of research. Complete avoidance of one or more groups of seafood is often advised, yet this can be difficult. Accidental exposure is more likely to occur when eating away from home, particularly when eating at seafood restaurants. Other potential sources of accidental exposure and cross-contamination include:

•Seafood platters and smorgasbords (best avoided)

•Asian foods, in which shellfish can be a common ingredient or contaminant (such as prawns in fried rice or soups, seafood extender)

•Food may be rolled in the same batter or cooked in the same oil as seafood (such as takeaway fish and chips)

•Commercial pizzas, where contamination may occur by virtue of the method of preparation

•Seafood purchased from an outlet where both fish and shellfish are sold. Fish could be contaminated with shellfish and visa versa

•Anchovies (fish) in Caesar salads and as an ingredient or Worcestershire sauce

•Contaminated barbeques

•Sushi

•Paella

•Thai soups

•Seafood extender

•Seafood based soups such as Boullabaise

•Cross contaminated takeaway pizzas or other food eaten at restaurants and café's

•Prawn chips

•Sauces such as oyster sauce might potentially cause problems in people allergic to oysters.

•In theory, squid ink might potentially cause problems in those allergic to squid/calamari.

•Isinglass is sometimes used as a “fining” agent to remove cloudiness from beer and wine. Made from the swim bladder of certain types of fish, it consists almost entirely of collagen. Two studies examining the risk of allergic reactions to wine fined with isinglass have failed to demonstrate clinical reactivity with deliberate challenge. (Note: use of isinglass in beer and wine has been exempted from mandatory labelling regulations in Australia)

•While the risk of allergic reactions to fish oils is considered to be very low in those allergic to fish due to the method of purification, those with fish allergy are advised to seek medical advice before consuming. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids included evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil.

Seafood allergy and iodine allergy are unrelated

People allergic to seafood have allergic reactions to proteins present in the animal, not to iodine, which may be present as well. People who are allergic to seafood are not at an increased risk of allergic reactions to iodine (eg. topical antiseptics such as Betadine or Povidine or intravenous x-ray radio-contrast agents). Conversely, people with iodine allergy are not at increased risk of seafood allergy.

Glucosamine is derived from shellfish

Glucosamine is a popular complementary medicine, used to treat osteoarthritis, which is derived from the outer coatings of shellfish such as crustaceans. Sometimes chondroitin sulphate is added, usually derived from shark cartilage. While people allergic to shellfish are sensitive to protein and not shell constituents, tests to exclude protein contamination are not routinely performed and there is little proof of safety in people with shellfish allergy, although challenge studies of small numbers of patients have demonstrated tolerance. Products registered in Australia and New Zealand carry labels warning against their use in people allergic to shellfish/crustaceans. This risk is considered to be very low. Nonetheless, “vegetarian” glucosamine is available which does not contain seafood allergen as it is produced in bacteria cultures.

Other allergies may also be present

Food allergy is more common in people who have other allergies such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma or eczema. As many children have allergies to other foods such as milk, egg or other nuts, your doctor may test for these allergies as well.

Reliable diagnosis of food allergy is important

Your doctor will normally ask a series of questions that may help to narrow down the list of likely causes of allergy such as foods or medicines consumed that day, or exposure to stinging insects. This approach will also help to exclude conditions that can sometimes be confused with food allergy. Skin or blood allergen specific IgE (RAST, Immunocap) allergy tests help confirm or exclude potential triggers. While the results of allergy testing are a guide to whether the person is allergic, results are not a reliable guide to whether the reaction will be mild or severe. It is also important to be aware that it may not be possible to test for all seafood species using commercial skin prick or blood allergy testing, since these are not available for all seafood species.  For this reason, some allergy clinics will recommend that you bring samples of fresh food for testing.

Food allergy does not usually run in families

Most of the time, children with food allergy do not have parents with food allergy. However, if a family has one child with food allergy, their brothers and sisters are at a slightly higher risk of having food allergy themselves, although that risk is still relatively low. Some parents want to have their other children screened for food allergy. If the test is negative, that may be reassuring, but does not mean that the other child will never develop an allergy later. If their screening test is positive, it is not always clear whether it definitely represents allergy, or whether the sensitization detected by the test is clinically irrelevant. The term "false positive" is sometimes used to describe this.

A positive allergy test is not the same as being food allergic

It is important to know that a positive skin or blood allergy test means that the body's immune system has produced a response to a food, but sometimes these are false positives. In other words, the test may be positive yet the person can actually eat the food without a problem. For that reason, it is important to eventually confirm the significance of a positive allergy test (in some circumstances) with a deliberate supervised food challenge. In a child with a positive test of uncertain meaning, this is often done around school age under medical supervision. Interpretation of test results and a decision whether or not a food challenge should be undertaken will usually be made after discussion with a medical specialist (Allergist / Clinical Immunologist).

Unorthodox so-called allergy tests are unproven

There are several methods of unorthodox so-called tests for food allergy. Examples include cytotoxic food testing, Vega testing, kinesiology, iridology, pulse testing, Alcat testing, allergy elimination and Rinkel's intradermal skin testing. These are unreliable, have no scientific basis and have no useful role in the assessment of allergy. So if you suspect a possible food allergy, have the suspicion confirmed with a reliable test.

Some adverse reactions can resemble seafood allergic reactions

Some conditions caused by adverse reactions to seafood can resemble allergic reactions. These include:

SCOMBROID FISH POISONING - this is an allergic like reaction that occurs after eating foods fish that have been improperly refrigerated after capture. Bacteria in and on the fish break down proteins into histamine, one of the major mediators of allergic reactions. Fish with a high content of red meat, which turns brown upon cooking are commonly involved such as mackerel, tuna, king fish, herring, sardines, marlin, anchovies and bluefish. Affected fish often have a metallic or peppery taste. Symptoms usually commence within 30 minutes of eating, and include flushing, itch, hives (urticaria), nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, palpitations and headache. Severe episodes may result in wheezing and dizziness or a drop in blood pressure. Mild symptoms may be treated with antihistamines. If severe symptoms are experience, then urgent medical assistance should be sought. Treatment usually involves taking antihistamines although in a hospital setting, adrenaline may also be given. Scombroid poisoning can be different by the pattern of symptoms and the absence of reactions with skin or blood allergy testing.

ANISAKIS SIMPLEX - is a nematode (worm) that is a fish parasite. It is found in most parts of the world and also in Australia [see reference below].  Cooking at temperatures above 60oC or storage in industrial freezers for 2 days is required to kill the parasite. Fish that has been left for 48 hours or longer since being frozen should be discarded. Anasakis can cause two major problems in humans:

•Anisakis  infection (anisakiasis) can result from eating raw, pickled or undercooked seafood such as sushi. Infection may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and sometimes appendicitis, bowel blockage or bleeding. Symptoms can occur due to inflammation in the gut at the site of entry of the parasite. Diagnosis requires an endoscopy where a specialist doctor uses a tube to observe the inside of the stomach and bowel without the need for major surgery and from which the parasite can be seen.[The parasite usually gets destroyed by our immune system after 3 weeks]

•Anisakis  allergy resembles other allergic reactions to food. In this case, the allergy is to the fish parasite, not to the fish itself. Reactions thus occur sometimes after eating seafood, rather than on every occasion. The allergens of Anisakis simplex appear to be not destroyed by heat or cooking and so allergic reactions may be triggered by dead parasites in fish that have been well cooked.  Blood allergy testing is available to confirm suspected sensitivity to this parasite.

CIGUATERA POISONING, PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONING AND DIARRHOETIC SHELLFISH POISONING

Ciguatera poisoning is caused by eating seafood that has been contaminated by algae-derived toxins. Ciguatera toxins are only present in fish, particularly large reef fish in the tropics. By contrast, paralytic shellfish poisoning and diarrhoetic shellfish poisoning is caused by shellfish contaminated with microorganisms (ie. Food poisoning), in particular mussels and oysters. These toxins or poisons interfere with the function of nerve endings. Symptoms occur within 2 to 3 hours of eating contaminated food, and consist of tingling of the lips, tongue and throat, often followed by stomach upset, headache, fever, muscle aches and pains and in the case of ciguatera poisoning, sometimes changes in blood pressure and heart rhythm. Numbness, collapse, coma and confusion have also been described. Most people recover within a few days or weeks with supportive treatment.

METABISULFITE REACTIONS

Metabisulfite preservative can sometimes be used to stop crustaceans (such as prawns) from discolouring. Reactions to this preservative (also used in wine, beer and some dried fruit as a preservative) include wheezing/tight chest (more common in those with asthma), stomach irritation (eg. Nausea, pain) and very uncommonly itch/rashes.

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Last reviewed June 2020