Allergy, Crab

People who consume sea foods, especially crustaceans, may experience crab allergy at some point of time. It is one of the most common adult food allergies that generally exhibits symptoms in adulthood.

The symptoms may occur a lot later after consuming the allergen. Moreover, the symptoms may become severe with every exposure.

Crab allergy often evokes the immune system's response to tropomyosin, a protein in crustacean muscles. The antibodies cause the release of histamines, a chemical that attacks tropomyosin. The release of histamine leads to many symptoms ranging from mild to fatal.

A person with crab allergy may experience the following symptoms a few minutes after consuming a crustacean:

• Abdominal pain
• Tingling in the mouth
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Nausea
• Trouble breathing
• Wheezing and congestion
• Swelling of the lips, face, throat, tongue, fingers, ears and hands
• Skin reactions like hives, itching and eczema
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Fainting

In severe cases, a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis may occur. If such an anaphylactic reaction appears, then immediate medical attention is required. Symptoms of anaphylactic responses include:

• Rapid pulse
• Severe drop in the blood pressure or shock
• A lump in the throat or swollen throat leading to difficulty in breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Extreme dizziness

There is no known cure for crab allergy. However, avoiding crab and other seafoods can help you prevent the allergic reaction. Also, you will likely display allergic symptoms for other crustaceans and shellfishes like shrimp, crayfish, prawns and lobster. So, try not to consume any of it.

If you suffer from a severe allergy, avoiding seafood is the best option. Many healthcare practitioners also recommend keeping epinephrine like an EpiPen in the case for immediate relief. It's the primary treatment for anaphylactic reactions. Antihistamines like Benadryl are recommended if you have mild allergic reactions, such as itchiness and rash.

If the symptoms continue to persist or worsen, make sure to seek immediate medical attention. 
If you suspect you are suffering from a crab allergy, you can avail of a crab allergy test. Getting this test will help:

• Determine whether you have a crab allergy or not
• Detect the severity of the allergy
• Devise an effective treatment plan

You can book your crab allergy test today at Apollo 24|7. It offers effortless, quick and at-home comfortable testing!