Fish oil tablets are used for a variety of reasons, according to MedlinePlus, a National Institutes of Health website: to help prevent disease, treat medical conditions and promote overall health. Taking fish oil tablets may result in adverse reactions that could be life threatening. If you have been diagnosed with a fish allergy, you should talk with your doctor before taking fish oil tablets. Although most of the fish proteins have been removed from the fish oil supplement, traces of the proteins could potentially cause an allergic reaction.
Concerns
Taking the recommended dose of fish oil, 3 g a day or less, is considered safe for most people, according to MedlinePlus; but if you take more than 3 g a day, you run the risk of thinning your blood and keeping it from clotting, which can lead to excessive bleeding. High doses may also reduce your immune system's effectiveness. Additionally, too much fish oil may increase your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
Fish Oil Allergy
If you experience an adverse reaction to fish oil tablets, you may want to be tested for a fish allergy. Almost 7 million people in the United Sates have a fish allergy, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. A fish allergy is considered a lifelong condition that can lead to a severe allergic reaction, possibly resulting in death. During an allergic reaction, your body interprets the fish oil proteins as harmful substances and attempts to fight them off by creating antibodies and histamine. This chemical reaction causes common untoward reactions.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a fish-related allergy are dizziness, light-headedness; fainting; hives; eczema; itching; and swelling in the face, tongue or lips. People may also experience abdominal pain, wheezing, nasal congestion, diarrhea, nausea, trouble breathing, vomiting, and tingling in the mouth, according to MayoClinic.com. Other possible symptoms are watery eyes, postnasal drip, throat irritation and sneezing.
Severe Symptoms
If you experience a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis, you will develop more symptoms, such as a drop in blood pressure, a faint pulse and an increased heart rate. Call 911 if these symptoms develop. An injection of epinephrine may be required to alleviate anaphylactic shock symptoms. Even if symptoms subside after the injection, MayoClinic.com recommends going to the emergency room for further evaluation.
Considerations
People with pre-existing conditions such as liver disease, heart disease, depression, bipolar disorder, high blood pressure and diabetes should not take fish oil pills without consulting their doctor. Fish oil tablets may worsen these conditions. Fish oil tablets may also interact with certain medications and herbal supplements. Disclose to your doctor all medications you are currently taking if you plan to use fish oil supplements.
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