Shrimp allergy medications are often used to treat allergic reactions that occur as a result of consuming shrimp or foods containing shrimp. This allergy is one of the most common types of food allergies.
Allergic reactions to shrimp usually occur when people with allergies to shrimp directly consume shrimp or foods containing shrimp.
However, in some cases, allergic reactions can also occur when the patient consumes food processed with the equipment used for processing shrimp.
Shrimp allergy can be overcome and prevented by using shrimp allergy medications. However, not only medication but also preventive measures are also important to prevent a recurrence of shrimp allergy symptoms. Allergic reaction to shrimp
Allergy to shrimp
occurs when the immune system of an allergic person experiences an exaggerated response when exposed to certain proteins or substances found in shrimp, such as tropomyosin, ciguatera or sxitoxin .
When the patient's body is exposed to shrimp or these substances, the immune system produces histamine, causing an allergic reaction.
The allergic reactions that occur can vary from mild to severe. In case of mild to moderate allergies, several symptoms may appear, namely:
- Rash
- bumps on the skin or hives Itching
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
- Stomach pain or stomach cramps
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms of this shrimp allergy can appear over time is rapid and last up to a few hours or even a few days.
Meanwhile, severe allergic reactions to shrimp can trigger life-threatening anaphylactic shock. This condition can cause shortness of breath, a sharp drop in blood pressure, pale and bluish skin, fainting, or even a coma.
Various Allergies to Shrimp Shrimp
Medication The treatment of allergies can be differentiated according to the severity of the allergic reactions that appear in the body.Here are some types of drugs that can relieve the symptoms of shrimp allergy:
1. Antihistamines
Antihistamines work to reduce the levels of histamine produced by the body's immune system due to allergies to shrimp. This medication is typically used to treat mild to severe cases of shrimp allergy.
This medication can be obtained over the counter or by prescription. To treat mild allergies, you can use over-the-counter allergy medications.
However, if the allergic symptoms that appear are severe or recur frequently, it will be necessary to take antihistamines as prescribed by the doctor, such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine.
2. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are generally used to treat severe inflammatory reactions due to allergic reactions and are generally not used for mild allergic reactions. This medication is not recommended for over-the-counter use and should only be used on prescription from a doctor.
If consumed carelessly or not depending on the dose, corticosteroids can be at risk of causing various side effects, such as kidney and liver damage, Cushing's syndrome, weakened immunity of the body.
3. Epinephrine
Epinephrine or epinephrine is an injectable drug for the treatment of severe allergic reactions to shrimp. This allergy medicine is only used in cases of allergy to shrimp which causes anaphylactic shock.
After receiving this medication, people with allergies are usually monitored for several hours in the hospital or clinic until allergy symptoms completely improve.
Step Prevention Shrimp Allergies
In addition to consuming shrimp allergy medications, there are some precautions you can take for shrimp allergies that have not recurred, namely:
Avoid consuming shrimp or shrimp allergy. 'other seafood
Some studies suggest that the best way to prevent shrimp allergy from recurrence is to not eat shrimp or other types of seafood, such as squid, crab, or lobster. It also aims to avoid contamination due to processing on the same kitchen utensil.
Make a habit of reading food labels before you eat them.
In addition to avoiding the consumption of shrimp, you should also be more careful in reading the labels of the foods you eat, especially packaged foods. Make sure the food does not contain shrimp so that it can be eaten safely.
Avoid exposure to shrimp odors from where to eat
It is recommended to avoid eating in areas that process outdoor shrimp or seafood ingredients, such as grilled or grilled restaurants.