Allergy, Shrimp

As the name suggests, the shrimp allergy test helps detect and diagnose the presence of a shrimp allergy. The allergy might start with mild symptoms but can become severe. Therefore, you must analyse the allergy early on to avoid the allergen.

Below are some  of the symptoms you should look out for:

• Swelling up of your throat, tongue, and lips
• Hives
• Chest tightness
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Indigestion
• Pale or blue skin
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Eczema 
• Itching

If you start experiencing any of these symptoms upon consumption of shrimp, then you must get the shrimp allergy test. Once you head to the healthcare practitioner to get yourself tested, be prepared to answer the following questions:

• What exactly were your symptoms? Were they severe?
• When did you first notice these symptoms?
• Did anyone else who dined with you experience the same symptoms?
• Have you reacted to shrimp in the past?
• Do you have a family history of allergy?
• Do you have asthma or eczema?
• What other food items did you consume in the same meal?

Once the doctor understands the situation better, they might ask you to undergo the test. However, you can go about the shrimp allergy test in two ways. They are as follows:

• Skin prick test: This test involves getting your skin pricked and exposed to minuscule amounts of protein found in shrimp. If you are allergic to shrimp, you will develop a hive (bump) at the test site. 
• Blood test: The blood test, also known as the allergen-specific IgE antibody test, can detect the presence of a shrimp allergy by gauging the amount of IgE antibodies in the bloodstream.

The only way to possibly treat this allergy is to avoid shrimp altogether. You can use antihistamines like Benadryl to get rid of mild allergy symptoms. But if the allergic reaction is too severe, it is better to consult a doctor.

Allergies are a direct result of immune system overreaction. In this case, the immune system will mistake specific proteins present inside the shrimp as dangerous. As a result, the body produces antibodies, resulting in the symptoms mentioned above.

Apollo 24|7 offers a comprehensive shrimp allergy test cost which produces the results within eight days.

If you test positive for the above allergy, here is a list of precautions you must take at all times:

• Read labels carefully: Read labels carefully before you buy food items. Shrimp is generally never a hidden ingredient, but you can find it in certain seafood flavouring. 
• Be careful while dining out: Make sure that the cutlery and food served to you have had no contact with shrimp. Even the slightest exposure to the shrimp protein can trigger an allergic reaction. 
• Keep your distance from places where shrimp is prepared: Avoid places that process or prepare shrimp. Some people might be allergic to shellfish steam released during cooking.