Nov

18

Shellfish Allergy: Prevention Tips

Filed Under Eczema Treatment, Eczema Prevention, Food Allergy | Leave a Comment

My eczema starts to flareup whenever I eat shellfish. Hence I no longer enjoy going to seafood restaurants as much as before when I was unaware that I had shellfish allergy. Fortunately, shellfish is easier to avoid, compared to nuts and soy. So I am thankful for that. However, a shellfish allergy can potentially lead to life-threatening reactions so I need to be constantly mindful not to give in to my cravings. I have read that shellfish allergy can produce anaphylaxis if I am not careful.

I no longer eat or serve shellfish at home. In fact, I suspect that my daughters will not take to this food well. I would much rather err on the side of caution.

In a restaurant, there is always the risk of cross contamination. So if you have a severe shellfish allergy, you must let the cook know before hand about potential problems while ordering your meal. Shellfish can be used as an ingredient for soups, gravies and sauces; so you need to keep a lookout for these as well.

Other types of restaurants in the high risk group include Cajan and Chinese ones. Many of their dishes are centered on shellfish such as shrimp, lobster and crab. It sounds prohibitive and that you cannot order freely what you would like to eat. However, avoiding shellfish when you have an allergy to it is by far the best prevention method. It really pays to be careful, in the light of the eczema skin reactions that you can possibly come down with.

Sep

9

An Understanding of Food Allergens

Filed Under Food Allergy | Leave a Comment

Eczema can be triggered by the consumption of food allergens. Although this is a view that my medical doctor did not generally choose to believe in, my naturopathic doctor said otherwise. I prefer to think that it does; at least in my case. I have noticed my skin having the tingling feeling whenever I go for a seafood dinner or eat sambal.

A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. Symptoms like gas, bloating, and tummy upset do not constitute allergic reactions. Such a reaction is thought to not involve the immune system and is called food intolerance.

It is critical for you to determine whether or not you have food allergies. Avoiding eating food allergens is easy if you think about having perfect skin or not suffering from other adverse allergic reactions. Some foods can cause severe illness and, in some cases, a life threatening allergic reaction which can constrict airways in the lungs, severely lower blood pressure, and cause suffocation by the swelling of the tongue or throat.

What is good news that increasingly, food manufacturers and consumer groups are working with the Federal Drug Administration to raise public awareness of the seriousness of food allergen reactions and to ensure that allergens are appropriately labeled in food products.

Diagnosing a food allergy can be a challenge for most doctors. You may also need to first do an elimination diet. Detailed history and note taking is required for a complete assessment. The doctor may also want to confirm his diagnosis by the more objective skin tests, blood tests, or food challenges. Usually these tests are not cheap. However, the benefits of having this information is priceless!

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