How is a shellfish allergy diagnosed?

How is a shellfish allergy diagnosed?

Shellfish allergies can be challenging to diagnose. Symptoms differ from person to person, and the same person can have different reactions after eating shellfish. You may have a reaction without even eating shellfish — for example, if you’re cooking it or shellfish contaminates your food.

To diagnose a shellfish allergy, your healthcare provider (or allergist, a specialist in allergies) will ask you about your symptoms. You may need to answer:

• What did you eat? And how much?
• When did symptoms develop?
• What symptoms did you have?
• How long did symptoms last?