1. Determine Your Category
In most cases of seafood allergies, people are either allergic to fish or shellfish, but not both. In fact, being allergic to both types of seafood is extremely rare. For the most part, children are more susceptible to fish allergies (and may not even be able to walk through the seafood section of a grocery store without having symptoms), while adults are more susceptible to shellfish allergies. Typical symptoms of both types of allergies include an itchy rash or hives, uncontrollable sneezing, watery eyes, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience any of these symptoms within a few minutes of eating fish or shellfish, there's a strong chance you have a seafood allergy.
2. Know Your Risk Factors
If your family has a history of seafood allergies, you'll be more susceptible to them, too. Studies have shown there is a definite genetic component in allergies to seafood. This is particularly true of shellfish allergies. Young boys and adult women are also especially susceptible to developing seafood allergies for the first time. If you think you may be at risk for a seafood allergy or might be developing symptoms, you should see an allergist to get tested before consuming any more fish or shellfish.
3. Is it the Fish or the Iodine?
Most types of seafood are rich in iodine, a natural mineral. While a pure iodine allergy is rare, it does exist. Reactions to exposure to iodine are usually dramatic and can be life threatening in people who are allergic to it. If you have an iodine allergy, you'll probably experience intense symptoms within a minute or two of eating seafood. (For seafood allergies, it can take half an hour or more for symptoms to occur.) Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure and dizziness or fainting. You will require immediate medical attention. Once you're aware of your iodine allergy, you'll have to avoid all seafood and will most likely need to carry an epinephrine autoinjector to give yourself emergency medical treatment if you're exposed to iodine. The epinephrine in the autoinjector will keep you stable until the paramedics arrive.
