Most Americans love seafood but reports say that about 7 million Americans are affected by fish allergy, which include tuna fish, shellfish, salmon and cod. Studies further states that most people develop seafood allergy in adulthood.
Tuna fish allergy symptoms range from mild to severe reactions like anaphylaxis. According to Food Allergy, anaphylaxis causes 150 to 200 deaths yearly in US alone.
How allergic reaction triggers?
When your immune system misidentifies protein in fish as hazardous it releases an antibody known as immunoglobulin E to combat the foreign body. This antibody produce chemicals called as histamine to fight the protein leading to allergic symptoms.
Research on seafood allergy concludes that about 1% of population suffers from this allergy and about 20% of them will outrank as time passes. Experts say that if you’re allergic to one fish, then your body is sensitive to other types of fish.
Tuna Fish Allergy Symptoms
Survey carried out on allergy suffers states that about 10% people experienced worst reaction by touching and smelling fish. About 40% people who’re suffering from fish allergy report that they aren’t sensitive to fish proteins until adult.
The allergic reaction may trigger when you eat, handle or inhale vapors of cooking tuna. One of the easiest ways to reduce this allergy is to avoid taking fish; because of cross reactivity it’s very difficult to say which type of fish is safe for you. Cross reactivity means the protein which triggered allergic reaction may present in other type of fish. Also, it’s not easy to predict if the person is allergic to that particular protein.
Symptoms of tuna fish allergy are as follows.
1. Hives or Skin Rash
Mostly fish allergy triggers skin rashes including hives, eczema and swelling. These symptoms may appear as soon as you eat, touch or smell tuna fish. Swelling and rashes may develop at different parts of the body, including around eyes and on lips. In serious cases your tongue and throat may be inflamed and cause difficulty in breathing.
An allergic reaction to tuna may produce swollen, red, itchy welts called urticaria or hives on your skin. Hives may occur on your skin within the minutes of eating or handling tuna fish frequently last for 2 to 4 hours. Swelling around your eyes and lips may also build up. So one should get medical attention immediately those who are allergic to tuna.
Anti-histamine medication prescribed by the doctor will reduce these symptoms. You can also try home remedies to soothe inflamed skin rashes after consulting with physician.
2. Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory disorder in which airways gets inflamed and you’ll feel difficulty in breathing. In most cases people with allergens will experience asthma symptoms that include, coughing, wheezing and chest tightening.
If you are allergic to tuna fish they you may also experiences symptoms related to asthma, which will make difficulty in breathing and also it will cause you shortness of breath. Breathing in cooking fumes, tuna fish odor, or handling tuna fish in fish dispensation plants may cause asthma.
Symptoms of allergic asthma more often than not build up within minutes to two hours after exposure. A delayed asthmatic reaction to tuna may occur 3 to 8 hours after exposure.
You must stay away from vapors of cooking tuna fish; within few minutes of inhale you may experience this allergic reaction.
Related: Mustard oil for treating asthma
3. Digestive Issues
According to World Allergy Organization, to get rid of irritants (fish proteins) your body triggers vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of tongue or mouth and difficulty in swallowing.
Intermittent projectile with swelling Vomiting of your mouth or tongue may be a sign of allergy, if it occurs instantly after eating tuna fish. Diarrhea and vomiting are your body’s way of getting rid of the antisocial food and the reactions may develop within the minutes soon after eating the tuna fish and last up to two hours.
4. Anaphylaxis
If you don’t pay attention to allergens, the reaction may increase and lead to anaphylaxis. This is life-threatening allergic reaction. According to experts anaphylaxis caused by food allergy causes approximately 30,000 emergency visits and 200 deaths in US.
If you are allergic to tuna, they you may experiences anaphylaxis, which is a life- intimidating allergic reaction that affects your whole body. Tuna fish allergy can cause difficulty breathing and swelling of tissues such as your throat, Lips and tongue.
Anaphylaxis develops quickly and it may happen again a few hours after symptoms subside in your body. You should get immediate medical attention even if you begin to feel better.
5. Skin Rash Symptoms
Skin reaction symptoms from a salmon fish oil allergy which is causing irritation in the skin, itching, swelling and irritation Hives build up within a few minutes after consuming Salmon. According to beyond allergy, Hives form patches of skin and it will cause raised welts to appear that are flat and cluster. An additional common rash that develops is eczema, forming small, red blisters that can weep and crust over. Eczema also forms patches of dry skin that appears leathery.
6. Other Symptoms
If the patient has a fish allergy, he may experience digestive complications such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms that may accompany a reactionary rash to salmon are tingling in the lips or mouth and nasal congestion.
So reduce tuna fish allergy symptom you get diagnosed by doctor without any delay.
More resource on fish allergy
- http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20040713/seafood-allergies-common-adults
- http://www.allergy.org.au/patients/food-allergy/allergic-and-toxic-reactions-to-seafood
- http://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/fish-allergy