Seafood allergies are considered the most common type of food allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Seafood includes shellfish and fish, such as lobster, crab, trout and salmon. If you have been diagnosed with a seafood allergy and you have arthritis, eating seafood can cause swelling in your joints that can trigger an arthritis episode, according to the Center for Food Allergies. A seafood allergy is a serious condition that can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition.
About
If you are allergic to seafood, you may only be allergic to certain kinds of fish. When you eat fish, your immune system experiences an overreaction to the proteins found in seafood. The body mistakes the fish proteins as a dangerous substance. The immune system immediately responds by producing IgE antibodies that ward off the proteins, according to MayoClinic.com. The antibodies cause a chemical reaction in the body that leads to the production of histamine in various parts of the body. Histamine is typically created in soft tissue, affecting the lungs, sinuses and joints.
Swollen Joints
Histamine causes inflammation in soft tissue. Although the effects of histamine are commonly seen in the skin, the nasal passages and the airways, histamine can cause your joints to swell. The Center for Food Allergies states that any immune system reaction, such as a seafood allergy, can cause increased swelling in the joints. If you develop swollen joints after eating seafood and you have not been diagnosed with arthritis, see your doctor immediately.
Symptoms
Common symptoms, aside from swollen joints, of a seafood allergy include skin reactions, rhinitis, asthma and digestive complications. Skin reactions manifest in elevated, inflamed skin that is red in color and very itchy. Rhinitis symptoms that may develop include nasal congestion, sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, eye irritation and sinus headaches. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. You may experience diarrhea, vomiting and nausea as a result of a seafood allergy.
Treatment
Seafood allergies are treated by avoiding them, according to MayoClinic.com. If you experience a mild allergic reaction, take an oral, over-the-counter antihistamine to decrease the amount of inflammation and irritation from increased histamine levels. A severe allergic reaction may require an injection of epinephrine.
Complications
Eating seafood with a seafood allergy can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a whole-body severe allergic reaction that sends the body into a state of shock. This condition is life-threatening and will require emergency medical attention.
