An allergy is an allergy. When you have one, you know that you have to adjust your life. However, knowing that you have an allergy and what you’re allergic to are two different things entirely. If you think you might be dealing with a fish allergy but you aren’t sure what kind of fish, here are 3 signs to watch for when it comes to handling or eating different types of fish.
Signs that you may have a fish allergy
- Hives or a skin rash after eating or handling fish products: A rash — be in a series of bumps or even raised, red skin — could appear around the area that first handled the fish. It often does spread around the body, and it can be painful, itchy or both. This is a sign of an allergic reaction and should be monitored.
- Congestion or sneezing that seemingly comes out of nowhere: When you think of allergies and congestion, you usually think of pollen allergies or dog allergies, but the reality is that it can also happen with food allergies. It could be a sign of a fish allergy if you notice that you get congested and start sneezing every time that you are handling or eating fish. It often will be immediately after you take a bite, too, which can help.
- Difficulty breathing or a flare-up of asthma: If you have asthma, you’ll not have a flare-up after you handle an allergy. This can be a good indicator. However, any time you have difficulty breathing — even if it’s not an asthma attack — it’s a sign that you are dealing with a potentially serious allergic reaction. It could be feeling like your throat is closing, tingling or wheezing.
How to know for sure
When you look at these kinds of symptoms, they can be unsettling enough that it may lead you to look for advice on how to know for sure. Getting an allergy test is always a good idea, especially because allergies don’t follow any sort of pattern. A mild reaction can quickly become a severe one, so knowing for sure what your allergens are can help you prevent a serious reaction in the future.
You can choose from a few options for allergy tests. The first one is a skin prick test, which involves samples of the allergens being deposited into the skin. When an allergy is detected, a welt will rise up. The second one is an oral test, which involves eating your allergen over the span of a few hours and being connected to medical equipment to monitor your body’s
reaction. The third one is an at-home test that is mailed to you, and you will take a blood sample with a finger prick kit and then mail it back to the lab for testing. The results will be emailed to you along with a guide and helpful tips to understand everything and adjust your diet accordingly.
These symptoms and suggestions on how to get the right test for you will give you the support to help you learn if you’re reading with a fish allergy, and what to do about it. The right support can make all of the difference!
