Food allergy is an immune system response to certain proteins present in foods that would normally be harmless. It can occur in people of any age and is becoming increasingly common around the world. Among the foods that most cause this type of reaction, shrimp stands out as one of the most frequent causes.

Shrimp allergy can manifest itself at any stage of life, even in people without family history. It can be triggered not only by ingestion of the crustacean, but also by contact with raw food or, in rare cases, by inhalation of particles during preparation.

“This is a reaction from immune system Shrimp protein, such as tropomyosin, which are confused with harmful agents. The body responds by producing antibodies that release substances such as histamine, responsible for allergic symptoms, ”explains Dr. Gustavo Guida, geneticist of the laboratories Sérgio Franco and Bronstein of DASA.

Allergy as a genetic inheritance

Genetic predisposition also plays an important role. People with allergic parents are more likely to develop some kind of allergy, including seafood. This picture, called atopia, is related to the greatest sensitivity from the immune system to common substances in the environment and food.

“In addition to genetic inheritance, environmental factors and lifestyle also influence. Early exposure to certain food And even excess hygiene during childhood can impact the development of the immune system and increase the risk of allergies, ”says Dr. Roberto Giugliani, geneticist and head of rare diseases of the genomic DASA.

Symptoms of Shrimp Allergy

Signs of shrimp allergy may range from light to bass, depending on individual sensitivity and the amount of protein consumed. Among the most common are:

Light to moderate symptoms:

• Urticaria (redness and itching on the skin);
• Swelling on the lips, face, tongue or throat;
• Nasal congestion, sneezing or runny nose;
• Nausea, cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.

Severe symptoms (anaphylaxis):

• Difficulty breathing;
• Sudden drop in blood pressure;
• Accelerated heartbeat;
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. At the lowest sign of suspicion, it is essential to seek professional guidance for appropriate diagnosis and follow -up.

Below, see how to protect yourself from serious reactions in cases of shrimp allergy:

• Avoid the consumption shrimp and other crustaceans (lobster, crab and siri) if it has a history of reactions;
• Read the labels of industrialized food carefully;
• In risk environments, always keep medicines prescribed by your allergist, such as anti -allergic or self -injectable adrenaline (epinephrine);
• Enter friends, family and restaurants about allergy.

Food allergy is serious and needs to be viewed responsibly. Knowing how to identify symptoms and act quickly can save lives.

By Mariana Bego