If you're allergic to seafood, Drugs.com advises not taking fish oil supplements. Most of the fish proteins are removed from the supplement, but traces of protein by-products may be found in the fish oil. Seafood allergies are a hypersensitivity to the proteins found in the food and can lead to serious complications, such as anaphylactic shock. The Food Allergy Initiative states that most people with a seafood allergy have the condition for a lifetime. There is no cure for a seafood allergy, but it is manageable through diet.
Fish Oil Pills
Fish oil supplements are used to treat and prevent many conditions but are primarily taken to increase your daily omega-3 intake. Drugs.com states that some people with a seafood allergy may not experience any adverse reactions while taking a fish oil supplement, but it is advised to use another supplement that doesn't contain fish. Other omega-3 supplements are derived from vegetables and plants. Talk with your doctor before using fish oil pills to treat or prevent any condition if you have a known allergy.
Seafood Allergy
Fish, shellfish and other kinds of seafood are considered a common food allergy, according to MedlinePlus. If you're allergic to seafood, your immune system mistakes the proteins in the seafood as a harmful substance and creates chemicals to fight them off, according to MayoClinic.com. The presence of these chemicals, such as antibodies and histamine causes common food allergy symptoms. The Food Allergy Initiative states that more than 50 percent of people who are allergic to one type of fish will also be allergic to other types.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a fish allergy will appear within a few minutes and up to an hour after taking fish oils pills. Common symptoms include tingling in the mouth, swelling in the face, lips or tongue, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, according to MayoClinic.com. You may also experience skin reactions, including hives, eczema or general itching. Severe symptoms of an allergic reaction include a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, increased heart rate and fainting. If you experience these symptoms, you need to call 911.
Treatment
Treatment for a seafood allergy includes avoidance, medication or emergency medical attention. MedlinePlus states that the best treatment for a food-related allergy is to identify and avoid all known food allergens. Talk with your doctor about whether fish oil pills should be avoided with your condition. Some over-the-counter antihistamines may alleviate minor seafood allergy symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. A severe allergic reaction will require an injection of epinephrine from emergency medical personal.
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