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Seafood Allergy Roll Call page 3
Seafood Allergy Roll Call
McCobbre
Moderator


Posted: Jun 14th, 2008 at 11:32 am

Welcome here. Actually, if by seafood you are referring to shellfish, that's been documented by studies (whereas the peanut airborne exposure hasn't really--even though many of us know it to be actual). Shrimp protein has been shown to disperse when cooking (and I have issues when in a restaurant when shrimp is brought out to a table--it's hot then).

It's scary, I know. We eat out, too (though less than we used to), but I've found that avoiding shrimp while eating out is much more difficult than peanut. Ugh. It's just everywhere--on the grill, in the oil, and elsewhere.

I've also not found really safe places to get non-cross contaminated fish that I can eat. We used to have access to a Kosher grocery store but don't any longer. I am too scared to eat fish after seeing it displayed with shellfish.

((Hugs)) for your daughter. It's got to be hard.

"Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic. They are potent forms of enchantment, rich with the power to hurt or heal."~Albus Dumbledore



Me: shellfish, chamomile, sesame and a few odds & ends
DS: peanuts
Daisy
Member


Posted: Jun 14th, 2008 at 07:26 pm

Oh my, we're on our third page. So sad to see this.

Charity,
Welcome to our nightmare. Yes, as you have discovered, eating out is difficult. But you are doing your son a great service by avoiding the seafood restaurants and at home. I was not cautious enough back when my allergy was "just GI" and now I at the other extreme end of the allergy - inhalent. Oh how I miss the Red Lobster salads & baked potatoes.

When you find a safe restaurant, you can also ask them to put his drink in a to-go cup and his food on disposable plates if they serve any seafood items. Eating on the patio is always a good option, too, as you aren't in an enclosed area with seafood cooking.

It's also important to know the set-up of the kitchen, too. I safely eat cheese or beef enchiladas, beans, rice and chips as take-out from my favorite Tex-Mex restaurant. This was the place of one of my fist and worst inhalent ER visits (from shrimp fajitas at another table). But after speaking with the manager, I am confident that the seafood is prep'd at a station on the other side of the kitchen not anywhere near my food. Again, this is for take-out only. I would not eat in there because of the seafood cooking/steaming-at-the-table and because I wouldn't trust the dishes might have previously had seafood on the plates. (I am that sensitive.)

About the set-up of the kitchen, most good restaurants will let you inspect for yourself if you ask the manager. Case in point: the next time you're in a Subway or other sandwich shop, peek over the counter at the bins where the tuna salad and seafood salad are kept. Then look to see how much has dripped onto the cheese and turkey and ham. YUCK!

Chin up for your son...I think some of the new allergy research is very promising.

Let your DD have treats at friend's houses. That's what my DD does to keep me safe. She enjoys Red Lobster, Reeses, & Nutty Bars at my Mom's or In-Law's house.

Take care,
Daisy

« Last Edited by Daisy Jun 14th, 2008 at 07:29 pm »

Self: seafood, egg, nuts, sulfites, yellow dye, IV contrast
GA - USA
McCobbre
Moderator


Posted: Jun 14th, 2008 at 08:57 pm

Ah, I was hoping Daisy would chime in. Smiley

I am quoting this from the FAAN food ban language thread going on in Main right now. I don't know if this powerpoint gives the citation, though.

Jun 14th, 2008 at 05:03 pm, wrote:


http://www.aaaai.org/members/allied_health/tool_kit/ppt/food_allergy.ppt

if you can copy/paste, here is the whole thing.

"Complete and strict avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction"

"Having a food allergy means completely avoiding food to which you are allergic. Faithfully reading labels, and constantly asking questions about ingredients, preparation techniques, etc. is an important part of living with food allergies.

For some people, a trace amount of food is enough to cause an allergic reaction. In rare cases, anaphylaxis has been reported to have been caused by the fumes released during cooking of certain foods. Vapors released from sizzling shrimp cooked tableside at a restaurant caused death in at least two shrimp-allergic individuals. These cases are rare but point out that for some individuals, reactions can occur without eating the food."



« Last Edited by McCobbre Jun 14th, 2008 at 08:59 pm »

"Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic. They are potent forms of enchantment, rich with the power to hurt or heal."~Albus Dumbledore



Me: shellfish, chamomile, sesame and a few odds & ends
DS: peanuts