I'm Allergic to Shrimp. Can I Eat Lobster?

Question: I'm Allergic to Shrimp. Can I Eat Lobster?

Answer: Maybe. But before you put on that lobster bib, consider this: The protein that causes most people to be allergic to shellfish -- called tropomyosin -- is found in all types of shellfish. Therefore, most people with an allergy to one kind of shellfish are allergic to other kinds of shellfish as well. In fact, a person with an allergy to one type of shellfish has about 75% chance of being allergic to other shellfish.

I have seen people in my clinic that are allergic to certain shellfish and can eat other shellfish without any problems. I’ve even encountered a few people who are allergic to one type of shrimp, but can eat other types of shrimp without problems. These cases seem to be the exception; therefore, I routinely recommend that people with a shellfish allergy to avoid all types of shellfish.

How to Follow a Shellfish-Free Diet.

_Source:

Sicherer SH. Clinical Implications of Cross-Reactive Food Allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001; 108:881-90.

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