So many people develop a skin rash after eating shrimp it is considered to be one of the most common food allergies, affecting millions all over the world. Allergic reactions are overblown immune responses against a typically harmless substance, in this case, food. Food allergies are more prevalent in childhood, but even if you have crossed that stage, you are not necessarily immune. You can develop allergies at any point in your life, and a shrimp allergy is the most common to begin in adulthood.
Any allergy to a certain food starts with an unusual immune response. Certain proteins such as tropomyosin present in shrimp are identified by the body’s immune system as harmful and disease causing. This triggers an immune response which releases antibodies to attack the protein. The next time the body is exposed to shrimp protein, the immune system releases histamine, a substance responsible for the development of skin rash and other symptoms.
An allergic reaction can cause skin rash within few minutes or up to few hours after eating shrimp. The reaction of each individual varies and is also not the same for each exposure. Milder symptoms include a skin rash and itching while a severe reaction includes hives and swelling of the face, lips, mouth and tongue. If an individual is highly allergic, he/she may have difficulty in breathing and swallowing. This is considered as a serious situation and requires immediate medical attention.
If you develop a skin rash, immediately consult an allergist, who will determine which tests to perform to identify the cause. Once the shrimp allergy is confirmed, the best treatment is to avoid any exposure to it. Carefully check the ingredients of food products before buying them and be extra careful when eating out.
When you have a skin rash, you are probably anxious for it to clear up. Yet when these complexion woes subside, they leave a visible reminder – a dark mark on the skin that was not previously there. The dermatologic term for this is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. While over the counter products with beta and hydroxy acids may help fade hyperpigmentation spots the most effective treatment to permanently remove these marks are skin treatments.
Photofacial and microdermabrasion are found to be the most effective skin treatments for evading dark spots and providing spotless radiant skin. Photofacial is a 30-minute procedure in which an IPL machine is used to burst out intense pulses of light that penetrate deep into the skin to remove the spots. On the other hand, microdermabrasion treatment uses a microdermabrasion machine attached to a handheld device to gently sand the skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer. Both these skin treatments are non-invasive and non-chemical physical exfoliating procedures which when combined together can give spectacular results. However, to completely eliminate the spots, two to three sessions are necessary.
You can control or eliminate allergic reaction rashes caused by shrimp by completely eliminating it from your diet. If you have eaten shrimp mistakenly and developed a rash, then treating it quickly will help prevent scarring and dark marks. Protecting yourself from the sun and seeking help from the dermatologist can further help prevent and lessen the dark marks on the skin.