Sensitivity to Mussels

Swan, Don't eat them. My wife has a similar allergy to nearly all shell fish so neither of us ever eat them. Crab seems to be ok, though. I think the cure is obvious.

There is a fairly common allergy to the combination of alcohol and shellfish. People can have either alone, but the combination causes symptoms very similar to what you describe. Weirdness in the head, and horrible stomach issues. Again, the above advice is good - if it makes you sick don't eat it!

My husband also has a shellfish allergy. He has found he even has to avoid escargot in France. He avoids mixed foods, too, like Paella. Best to just avoid it, especially since you can increase your sensitivity and severity of reaction each time you ingest it. If you do accidentally ingest shellfish, then you - or a travel partner - should try to visit the pharmacy for medicine. Even if you don't speak the language, you can always pantomime the symptoms!

Thanks for your responses. I hate fussing and being a "problem," but I think I'm going to have to be more pro-active about ordering anything that may have mussels in it. I think that is what happened the last two times I got sick. The dish wasn't called mussels, but may have included mussels in the recipe. In Spain my RS tour guide ordered vegetarian paella for me. It was delicious. I wonder what it is about mussels that makes people develop a sensitivity, or allergy. I really don't think it is an allergy; I had no swelling or respiratory problems. Mostly I had symptoms that mimicked food poisoning.

Food allergies are often digestive. It does sound like you have an allergy to at least mussels and possibly other shellfish. Shellfish allergies are fairly common. You should absolutely avoid eating a food for which you have an allergy to. Your doctor can test and confirm the shellfish/mussel allergy.

Thanks for that suggestion, Douglas. I will have my MD order an allergy check for me. Since I know that mussels make me sick, I will continue to avoid them. I should find out if other shellfish could be a problem, also. I'd sure hate to give up crab. I ate that last season and had no problems.

Several years ago when there was a big cicada hatch in the area, one guy fried up a plate of the bugs. He had a terrible allergic reaction. He knew he was allergic to shellfish. Turns out they're very similar.

I wonder if there is some chemical in some shells that causes the sensitivity. Maybe I can run down some research.

Swan- don't play around with this allergy. I found out that I am allergic to all fish. I can't even take Omega 3 fatty acid supplements. I get severe sotmach problems (projectile vomiting and other issues). Swelling and resperatory issues are not the only allergic responses. I would recommend that you do a search on this site as I remember previous posts. Someone mentioned getting cards in various languages that explain your allergy so that you can show it to waiters. Then you won't risk getting exposed accidently. For example, this summer I almost ordered a gapacho. It was supposed ot have a chopped clam garnish. I asked them to leave off the garnish as I was allergic to fish and seafood. The waitress explained that they also used clam juice in the soup. Thus I missed out on the gaspacho- thank goodness.

"I wonder if there is some chemical in some shells that causes the sensitivity." If it is a true allergy, it's an over-reaction to some component of the mussel that your immune system erroneously identifies as an infection. It's probably some protein unique to mussels or other mollusks.

Toni, that is my concern. I know not to eat anything called "mussels" or words in other languages describing the same thing. What makes me cautious is the unknown presence of mussels. I think I will get an allergy test for shellfish. So far, crab is ok, but I'll stay away from all of it if necessary. I know a man who is so allergic to fish or shellfish he can't be in the same room with any of it.

How do you feel about Jean Claude Van Damme?

I will be consulting an allergist next week. His name is not Jean Claude.

That's good because he is known as "The Muscles from Brussles". Look it up.

Swan, you wil probably find out that you are now allergic to all "mollusks", and that crabs are "OK". The important thing to remember is that any portion of a mollusk can make you sick: i.e. clam juice added to a soup, etc. can have the exact same a effect as eating a clam/mussel/oyster, etc. It is great that you are seeing an Allergist. These problems can be very serious. My brothers and I have, or had, allergies that could be life threatening.

I went to an MD authority on allergies; he says I have a sensitivity, not an allergy. Only my digestive system is involved. His conclusion was that I should avoid mussels and oysters but would probably be ok with clams and crustaceans. That's great. The bad news is that I have to be careful around mollusks. The good news is that even if I eat a mussel, it won't kill me.