| Seafood allergy | 810.000000000000 | Seafood allergy | Seafood allergy | S | English | Allergy | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2014-12-18T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.80000000000000 | 61.1000000000000 | 1003.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn which foods your child should avoid if they have a seafood allergy and how you can help your child manage their allergy.</p> | <h2>What is a seafood allergy?</h2><p>A seafood allergy is a reaction to one or more of the proteins in crustaceans, shellfish or fish. Crustaceans include crab, lobster and shrimp. Shellfish include clams, oysters and mussels.</p><h2>If my child has a seafood allergy, must they avoid all types of seafood?</h2><p>If your child has a specific seafood allergy, speak to an allergist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies) before letting them try other types of seafood.</p><p>Some people may be allergic to one group of seafood, such as shellfish, but may be able to eat other groups of seafood, such as crustaceans, as long as they have not come in contact with each other in any way. Other times, a person might be able to eat crustaceans and shellfish but still have a fish allergy.</p><p>In addition, a person might not be allergic to complete families of seafood. For example, they might be allergic to clams but not allergic to other types of shellfish.</p><p>Your child may need to avoid all seafood due to the high chance of cross-contamination (see below), as seafood products are often processed in the same facility.<br></p><h2>Will my child always have a seafood allergy?</h2><p>Most children with a seafood allergy will continue to have it as they get older.</p><p>An allergist can help you find out when to test your child and see whether they have outgrown their allergy.</p><h3>Top 8: What are the most common allergies in kids?</h3><div class="asset-video">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0WvfG6eTuCw" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br></div><p>For more videos from SickKids experts in collaboration with Youngster, visit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoKMd2cYwegtZX19uHdNLQA">Youngster on YouTube</a>.</p> | <h2>Other names for seafood</h2><p>Seafood can have different names in ingredient lists. Learning these names can help you catch any hidden sources of seafood.</p><p>When buying packaged foods, always check the list of ingredients in the store and again when you bring the product home. It is also a good idea to check the ingredients every time you buy the food in case the recipe has changed. You can also call the manufacturer to ask about any recipe changes.</p><p>The following table lists some names for seafood. Use it when you are grocery shopping or calling food manufacturers.</p>
<table class="akh-table"><tbody><tr><td>Crustaceans</td><td>Crab, crayfish, lobster, prawns, shrimp</td></tr><tr><td>Shellfish</td><td>Clam, cockle (sea urchin), conch, mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, snails (escargot), squid (calamari)</td></tr><tr><td>Fish</td><td>Anchovy, bass, cap, catfish, char, cod, eel, halibut, herring, mackerel, mahi-mahi, marlin, orange roughy, pickerel (walleye), pike, Pollock, salmon, sardine, trout, tuna (albacore, yellow fin, bonito), snapper, white fish</td></tr></tbody></table> | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>A seafood allergy can be different for each person: some people can eat one complete type of seafood but cannot eat another. Other people can tolerate some crustaceans, for example, but not others. </li>
<li>Most children with a seafood allergy do not outgrow it. Consult an allergist regularly to see if there is any change in your child's allergy.</li>
<li>Sources of seafood include coffee, fried rice, salad dressing and gelatin.</li>
<li>To prevent an allergic reaction, always read food product labels, avoid foods if you are not sure of the ingredients and avoid using utensils or containers that might have come in contact with seafood. </li>
<li>If your child's diet is limited because of a seafood allergy, a registered dietitian can offer advice on getting a balanced diet.</li>
</ul> | | | <h2>Possible sources of seafood</h2><p>Seafood is used in a wide range of packaged foods. Below is a list of some of the many food products that can contain seafood.</p>
<table class="akh-table"><tbody><tr><td>Coffee</td><td>Deli meats (bologna, ham)</td></tr><tr><td>Fried rice<br></td><td>Gelatin</td></tr><tr><td>Hot dogs</td><td>Marshmallows</td></tr><tr><td>Salad dressing (for example Caesar dressing)</td><td>Soups and sauces</td></tr><tr><td>Spring rolls</td><td>Sushi</td></tr><tr><td>Worcestershire sauce</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> | | | <h2>Reducing the risk of cross-contamination</h2><p>Cross-contamination occurs when a harmless substance comes in contact with a harmful substance, for example a potential allergen or harmful bacteria. If the substances mix together, the harmful substance taints the other substance, making it unsafe to eat.</p><p>Food allergens can contaminate other foods when, for example, the same containers, utensils or frying pans hold a range of foods.</p><p>Bulk food containers pose a high risk of cross-contamination because they are often used for different products.</p><p>Be sure to avoid using utensils or containers that may have come in contact with allergy-causing foods and ask about possible cross-contamination when eating out.</p><h2>How can my child get the right mix of nutrients if they must avoid seafood?</h2><p>Key nutrients in fish can include protein, omega-3 fats, vitamin A, vitamin B 12, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, iron and zinc. Your child can still get these nutrients even if they must avoid seafood and products that contain them. </p><h3>Nutrients in seafood that are also in other foods</h3><table class="akh-table"><thead><tr><th>Nutrient</th><th>Where to find it</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Protein</td><td>Milk, red meat, chicken, egg, beans, soy</td></tr><tr><td>Omega 3</td><td>Flaxseed oil, edamame (soybeans), radish seeds, omega-3 eggs fortified with DHA</td></tr><tr><td>Vitamin A</td><td>Sweet potato, pumpkin, liver, goat cheese, carrots, squash, spinach</td></tr><tr><td>Vitamin B12</td><td>Milk, cheese, liver, beef</td></tr><tr><td>Vitamin D</td><td>Milk, soy beverage fortified with vitamin D</td></tr><tr><td>Vitamin E</td><td>Spinach, red pepper, Swiss chard, wheat germ cereal, egg, almonds, sunflower seeds</td></tr><tr><td>Calcium</td><td>Milk, soy beverage fortified with calcium, buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, collards, beans</td></tr><tr><td>Iron</td><td>Spinach, tomato puree, edamame, lima beans, snow peas, instant oatmeal, cereal</td></tr><tr><td>Zinc</td><td>Bran cereal, wheat germ, cheese, milk, beef, pumpkin seeds, baked beans</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2>Can my child with a seafood allergy enjoy sushi?</h2><p>Many kinds of delicious sushi rolls do not contain any seafood. If you eat out at a sushi restaurant, contact the staff ahead of time to let them know about your child’s allergy. Ask if the restaurant can provide seafood-free sushi that is uncontaminated by seafood.</p> | | | | <h2>When to see a dietitian for a seafood allergy</h2>
<p>If you have removed many foods from your child's diet because of a seafood allergy, it may be a good idea to speak to a registered dietitian. The dietitian can review the foods your child still eats to decide if they are getting enough nutrients. If necessary, they can also recommend alternative foods that your child can eat safely.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2>
<p>Health Canada. <a href="http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/alt_formats/pdf/pubs/securit/fish-poisson-eng.pdf" target="_blank">Seafood (fish, crustaceans and shellfish) - One of the ten priority food allergens</a></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/seafood_allergy.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/seafood_allergy.jpg | | | | | | | Seafood allergy | | False | | | | | | |
