Skip to main content

A fish allergy


Salmon, cod, tuna, perch, eel – these and many other types of fish are allergens for those who are allergic to fish. This disease is similar to an allergy to shellfish in the sense that it is widespread among adults.

Symptoms of fish allergy: how to cope with them?

Symptoms of fish allergy are usually challenging to deal with. An allergy to fish increases a risk of appearing of severe bronchial asthma. Allergens contained in fish cause itching or tingling in the mouth area immediately after contact with them. The greatest danger, in this case, is an anaphylactic shock – a severe systemic reaction of the body, in which cells begin to secrete a large amount of histamine, that provokes swelling of the tissues throughout the body. An anaphylactic shock provokes the falling of arterial pressure. The person can lose consciousness and even die. People diagnosed with an “allergy to fish” should always bring the medications prescribed by the doctor with themselves.

If a person has an allergy to one fish type, there is a high probability that he will also have an allergic reaction to other fish species. The reason is in a parvalbumin protein, that is in many types of fish. For this reason, people with an allergy to a single kind of fish are advised to avoid food that contains fish in general. Although some fish species – for example, tuna and mackerel – are considered to be less allergenic than others. If you want to include fish in your diet, ask the doctor for specialized testing, which will help determine the products that are safe for you.

Some types of allergies that masquerade as an allergy to fish can be an allergy to a fish parasite called anisakiasis. This helminth is considered to be a dangerous allergen and, like allergens that are contained in fish can cause severe allergic reactions, even anaphylactic shock. If you have an allergic reaction after eating fish, but the results of tests for fish allergy are negative – go to the doctor for an allergy test for its parasite. Anisakidosis can cause allergy even after its larvae are destroyed during cooking.

People who are allergic to fish should carefully read the labels on fish products in grocery stores, and also carefully explain the peculiarities of their diet to waiters in restaurants.