ALLERGY TO SHRIMPS - REACTIONS AFTER INGESTION OF SEAFOOD

Adverse reactions to seafood are common and may cause many types of sy mptoms that are difficult to define. The nature of these reactions are variable including allergic and toxic reactions as well as infectious diseases. The differentiation between these entities is essential in choosing therapy. We describe 9 patients with IgE mediated allergic re actions due to crustaceans and fish diagnosed from case history, clini cal findings, skin tests and specific IgE antibodies. Most symptoms of a IgE mediated allergic reaction appear within 30 minutes after inges tion. Characteristic clinical features may include an urticarial rash, gastrointestinal symptoms and even anaphylaxis. In this case immediat e therapy with intravenous glucocorticoids, antihistamine and perhaps subcutaneous epinephrine is required.