Fish: Example of a common food allergy

Fish

Fish is one of the most common causes of food allergy. The allergenic protein in fish is highly heat-stable. This means that the protein remains allergenic even after cooking or frying. About 0.1 to 0.2% of children and adults have a fish allergy. Fish allergy occurs more frequently in countries where people often eat fish. Usually, a person with a fish allergy does not grow out of it. Examples of ingredients and products that contain or may contain fish (ingredients) are:

• cod;
• hake;
• mackerel;
• tuna;
• bass;
• salmon;
• trout;
• plaice; 
• lemon sole;
• herring;
• anchovies;
• sardine;
• carp;
• eel.

Foods that contain or may contain fish (ingredients): 

• frying products;
• bonito (fish meal);
• bouillabaise (French fish soup);
• dashi (fish powder);
• fruits de mer;
• kamaboko;
• ketjap Ikan;
• kibbeling;
• prawn crackers;
• margarine;
• marinade;
• Eastern and Scandinavian dishes;
• omega-3 oil;
• paella;
• petis;
• pizza;
• pudding;
• quenelles;
• rolmops;
• salad;
• sambal;
• fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and nam pla;
• seasonings;
• sweets;
• surimi;
• sushi;
• teri (salted, dried fish);
• desserts;
• fish burger;
• Food supplements/preparations;
• Worcestershire sauce;
• seafood.

Angioedema can occur all over the body, with localised fluid accumulation on the face: especially under the eyes, on the lips and in the cheeks (cheek pouches). In the throat area, life-threatening glottisoedema may occur. This severely impedes breathing. Complaints of the gastrointestinal tract are manifested as:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• colic or intestinal cramps;
• inflammations of the oesophagus, stomach lining;
• diarrhoea;
• constipation;
• sometimes mucus or blood in stool.

Symptoms of the respiratory tract are manifested as:

• inflamed nasal mucosa;
• Coughing or tickling cough;
• sneezing;
• audible or wheezing;
• tightness of the chest;
• mucus formation;
• asthma.

Skin complaints may include:

• hives (urticaria) acute or chronic;
• hives; this is the most acute reaction with intense itching;
• Atopic eczema;
• fluid accumulation under the skin; when you draw lines on the skin, they remain visible.

Anaphylaxis, severe generalised reactions throughout the body, manifested as:

• initial tingling in the mouth, throat, cheeks or tongue;
• Local hives (urticaria);
• Then reactions in many organs;
• often with predominant severe asthma;
• finally, a drop in blood pressure;
• shock