Indonesia, as a charming archipelagic country, is not only known for its stunning natural beauty, but also for its abundant marine biodiversity. With vast waters, both sea and fresh water, Indonesia is home to a variety of amazing marine fauna, including shrimp. This phenomenon also accompanies the trend of shrimp production which continues to increase every year in the country. Even quoted from databoks, in 2020, the volume of shrimp exports reached 239.28 million kilograms with a value of 2.04 billion USD, an increase of 28.96 percent compared to 2019.
However, behind its deliciousness and popularity as a popular seafood, shrimp also has potential dangers for some people. Allergy to shrimp is a common health problem. Not a few individuals experience unpleasant allergic reactions after consuming shrimp, some of whom may even be allergic to other seafood. Allergic reactions to shrimp can vary greatly from one person to another, with characteristics that can range from mild to more serious symptoms. Therefore, it is important for those who are sensitive to shrimp to remain careful and alert when they want to enjoy other seafood, such as crab, lobster, shellfish, octopus, squid and oysters.
Causes of shrimp allergies
Shrimp allergy is a condition where the immune system overreacts to the proteins contained in shrimp. When a person has a sensitive reaction to a protein found in shrimp, their immune system perceives the protein as a threat and responds by releasing histamine and other substances. This is part of an allergic response called a hypersensitivity reaction or better known as an allergic reaction.
It is important to understand that an allergy is an inappropriate reaction of the immune system to a substance that is actually harmless. The body misinterprets the substance as a dangerous foreign object, and as a result, produces an exaggerated response to fight the substance.
Not only shrimp, some people can also experience allergies to other seafood such as shellfish, crab, lobster, squid, octopus and oysters. This is because the proteins contained in seafood are similar or have structural similarities to the proteins found in shrimp, so the immune system reacts to them in a similar way.
Symptoms of a shrimp allergy can appear quickly after consuming shrimp or within a few hours afterward. Symptoms can include digestive disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain, as well as respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, or hoarseness. Skin rashes such as hives, itching, and redness also often occur. In addition, swelling of the mouth and throat can also occur, which can threaten breathing and require immediate medical attention.
Seafood allergies can start in children and adults, but often these allergies start to appear in children. Interestingly, someone who has never previously shown signs of allergy to a particular type of seafood can experience an allergy to shrimp later in life. This shows the complexity of the immune system and its response to the environment.
Symptoms of shrimp allergy in children
Signs and symptoms of shrimp allergy
Shrimp allergies can cause various symptoms that interfere with body health. Some common signs often experienced by shrimp allergy sufferers include digestive disorders such as vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, which make the body uncomfortable and weaken the physical condition. Apart from that, breathing problems also often appear in the form of shortness of breath, which makes breathing difficult and triggers feelings of anxiety. Coughing and hoarseness are also frequent symptoms, causing discomfort when communicating or even carrying out daily activities.
Not only that, shrimp allergies can also cause pale rashes, hives and itching on the skin, which makes a person feel uncomfortable and restless. Apart from skin symptoms, shrimp allergies can also cause swelling in the mouth and throat, which has the potential to interfere with swallowing and breathing. This condition can become very serious if not treated promptly and appropriately.
Other symptoms that may appear include dizziness, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. These are signs that the body is experiencing a severe allergic reaction and requires immediate medical attention. This condition can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and appropriately. Therefore, it is important for individuals who have a history of allergies to shrimp to always be alert and avoid consuming this substance to maintain their health and safety.
How to prevent recurrence of shrimp allergies
To avoid the risk of developing a shrimp allergy, preventive measures are very important. First, avoid eating at seafood restaurants. Even if you order a menu that does not include seafood, the risk of contamination is still possible because the cooking utensils used can be the same as those used to cook shrimp or other seafood. Hence, for individuals who have allergies to shrimp and seafood, it is better to avoid eating at such places.
Next, it is important to stay away from kitchens where shrimp are cooked. The process of cooking shrimp or other seafood can release proteins through smoke and steam which have the potential to trigger a recurrence of shrimp allergies. Therefore, being away from the kitchen where seafood is being cooked can help reduce the risk of exposure to compounds that can trigger allergies.
In addition, check the product packaging label before consuming it. Be sure to read labels carefully because shrimp or other seafood can be used as an ingredient in a variety of products, including flavorings, cosmetics, medicines, or beauty creams. Knowing other names for shrimp or other seafood can help you ensure safe consumption of the product. For example, in French products, the label "shrimp" indicates the presence of shrimp in the product.
Finally, for those who have a history of severe allergies to shrimp, always carry allergy medication such as epinephrine injections (EpiPen) or medications prescribed by a doctor, such as antihistamines or steroids. This step is important as an emergency measure in the event of unexpected exposure to shrimp allergens.
Epinephrine, an anti-allergic drug to relieve symptoms of anaphylaxis
How to deal with shrimp allergies
If someone experiences symptoms of a shrimp allergy, it is important to immediately consult a doctor to carry out an allergy test. Doctors will generally recommend a series of allergy tests aimed at identifying whether a person is truly allergic to shrimp or not. Positive allergy test results indicate the body's reaction to the protein in shrimp.
If the allergy test results show positive, the next step is to avoid all foods or products that contain shrimp. This includes seafood that comes directly from shrimp, as well as processed foods that may contain raw shrimp ingredients. In addition, individuals who are allergic to shrimp are also advised to always carry anti-allergy medication, such as epinephrine (EpiPen), to be used as an emergency measure in case of unexpected exposure to shrimp allergens.
Epinephrine, or also known as EpiPen, plays a crucial role in preventing severe allergic reactions, especially anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Anaphylaxis is a very serious and rapid allergic reaction, which can cause a drop in blood pressure, severe shortness of breath, even respiratory failure and even death if not treated immediately and appropriately. Epinephrine works quickly to relieve the symptoms of anaphylaxis by constricting blood vessels, increasing blood pressure, and opening blocked airways, giving allergy sufferers valuable time to seek necessary medical help.
