Symptoms and Diagnosis
While the symptoms of a seafood allergy can range from mild to moderate, or extreme to life-threatening, one commonality amongst the seafood allergy sufferer is the quick onset of reaction symptoms, occurring within minutes – to two hours – of eating seafood and/or shellfish. Symptoms for the seafood allergy sufferer may include:
- Skin conditions, including hives or eczema, rashes, and/or itchy patches
- Allergic conjunctivitis: Itchy, red eyes, and runny nose
- Swelling of the face – including lips, throat, and tongue.
- Faintness, paleness, and weakness
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking
- Rapid heartbeat
- Cramps and/or diarrhea
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Seafood and shellfish allergies may also cause a severe reaction called
anaphylaxis and will require the patient to seek medical help immediately.
Shellfish/Seafood Testing
Your naturopathic doctor will do a complete history of your symptoms and conditions relating to a seafood (or more specifically, shellfish) allergy as well as perform an analysis to find or rule out other medical problems or allergies that may be causing the issues. Your naturopathic doctor may also recommend one or both of the following tests to confirm the presence of a seafood or shellfish allergy:
Seafood Allergy Testing via a Skin test.
In this simple test, the skin is lightly pricked and then exposed to small trace amounts of the proteins found in seafood and shellfish that are responsible for the allergies. If you’re allergic to the proteins found in the seafood or shellfish, you will then develop a raised bump (hive) right at the test location on your skin. This seafood allergy test is then completed and interpreted by a naturopathic allergy specialist.
Seafood Allergy Testing via a Blood test; also called allergen-specific IgE antibody test, radioallergosorbent (RAST) test, or allergy screen.
This seafood and shellfish allergy testing method can effectively assess your immune system’s response to the seafood and shellfish proteins that cause an allergic reaction, by measuring the number of specific antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. In this case, the blood sample is then tested for evidence of sensitivity to seafood and shellfish proteins.
Your naturopathic doctor will also advise you to keep a detailed account after your seafood allergy/testing, of allergic reactions that occur shortly after any exposure to seafood or shellfish, as this too, can be a sign of an allergy, but proper allergy testing is the only certain way to diagnose what is causing your symptoms
Should you be tested for a Seafood Allergy?
Our naturopathic professionals often see undiagnosed or misdiagnosed seafood allergy sensitivities and intolerances. Our physicians have the practical and clinical experience to help determine if a seafood allergy is present, and which courses of treatment are necessary.
In Vancouver, seafood allergy test results usually take about two to three weeks to come back. Once the results are in, your naturopathic doctor will review the results with you and discuss the necessary next steps, such as dietary changes and other interventions to help reduce your reactions and ease your symptoms.
Electra Health Inc.’s professional naturopathic doctors offer patients thorough seafood allergy testing. Once the results are returned, our naturopathic physicians will then develop and implement a specifically targeted and customized health plan to combat seafood and shellfish intolerances.
Food allergy testing therapy as we practice it is firmly established on clinical and scientific evidence. At The Electra Health’s Vancouver Naturopathy Clinic, we use only the most advanced testing processes available to keep you feeling your best.
If you feel that you are a candidate for shellfish/seafood allergy testing, and are in Vancouver, please contact one of our Naturopathic Doctors.
