"Crabby," Near Philadelphia
I was in my early teens when I learned I was allergic to shrimp. I had never really liked shrimp so it wasn't a problem. I loved other shellfish, though: oysters, clams, mussels; liked lobsters and crab and then discovered soft-shell crabs and for a few years was able to bask in their deliciousness. Then, gradually, the allergy spread and now I don't eat shellfish at all. Fortunately fish and calamari are still perfectly fine.
My allergy isn't the hives-breathing-eyes watering-throat closing variety. It is not life-threatening. It has a different manifestation: vomiting, diarrhea, and severe chill. It occurs six hours after I inadvertently consume shellfish. Not at all life-threatening, but an inconvenience and unpleasant way to spend the night.
The waiter can carry a platter of shellfish past me. My dining companion can luxuriate in scallops. No problem. But I cannot sample a sauce if there are shrimps in that sauce. And I never take a taste of anything from Joe's plate if he has something that is even topped with a shrimp. Usually, everything is just fine. But once every couple of years someone in a restaurant kitchen will handle a piece of shellfish and then handle my food. I have no way of knowing. Until six hours later.
Last night we used a gift card to try an upscale restaurant we'd not visited before. The food was impeccable; I had foie gras on parsnip latke and then a glorious lamb shank with creamy, cheesy grits and roasted brussels sprouts. I kept a respectable distance from Joe's meal, both courses of which involved shellfish of some sort. No problem.
Until 2:00 a.m.
Comments
Just so you know, allergic reactions are unpredictable and can change. Over time, you "acquired" an allergy to more kinds of shellfish and that is one way to become allergic to something new. Be aware that at any time, you could experience the swelling/breathing problems type reaction. You might need to keep Benedryl with you and ask your doctor about an Epi-pen injectable to keep in your purse. Any questions? Nancy Nurse over and out!
Hugs!
Mine is the throat-closing type of allergy -- to the point where the doctor won't TEST me for it because he's afraid to kill me. (He takes my word on the severity and reaction.)
If my DH has shrimp, and doesn't thoroughly wash his mouth/lips, and he kisses me, my lips tingle -- and not in the happy, fun way, but instead in the numbing, I can't feel my lips or I feel my lips swelling up to the size of balloons.
I make sure I tell the hospital because of the iodine, even tho they are not typically related.
Something else to avoid is GLUCOSAMINE -- which is made from shellfish shells.