A seafood allergy is an allergic reaction to eating seafood triggered by a seafood protein (often parvalbumin) making its way into the body. Seafood allergies affect roughly 6.6 million Americans – almost three percent of adults. Unlike most food allergies, which develop in young children and go away as they grow older, seafood allergies frequently remain throughout adulthood. In fact, many people first develop seafood allergies as adults. Common symptoms of a seafood allergy include hives, itching, upset stomach and nasal congestion. The most severe cases can result in anaphylactic shock, a potentially life-threatening reaction characterized by difficulty breathing and a sudden drop in blood pressure.
