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Hidden sources for Fish/Shellfish: do you know of any? page 1
Hidden sources for Fish/Shellfish
artlvr
Member


Posted: Jan 22nd, 2008 at 01:56 pm

A similar thread is many of the allergen links for this site but I don't see one for Fish/Shellfish. A friend of my has a son who is PA and just found out he is also allergic to shellfish through scratch testing (they plan on finding out the specific on a later date since he was already pretty worked up about having the scratch test done). Smiley

I was wondering if there are any food sources or non-food sources that could be potentially hazardous to a person with this allergy. Could you help my friend out?

« Last Edited by artlvr Jan 31st, 2008 at 10:39 am »

Kimberly
Midwest, USA

PA only
CMdeux
Moderator1


Posted: Jan 22nd, 2008 at 02:19 pm

Wines

dietary supplements

certain surgical materials (not sure if these are in civilian trauma centers, but they are used in the military)

That's all I can think of for now. Anywhere that there is a major shellfish industry, be careful of mulches and landscape fillers.



"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." -Robert Louis Stevenson




USA
Daisy
Member


Posted: Jan 22nd, 2008 at 07:38 pm

Saw this on one of the new "biopolymers"...
Quote:
Abstract
Chitin, extracted primarily from shellfish sources, is a unique biopolymer based on the N-acetyl-glucosamine monomer. More than 40 years have lapsed since this biopolymer had aroused the interest of the scientific community around the world for its potential biomedical applications. Chitin, together with its variants, especially its deacetylated counterpart chitosan, has been shown to be useful as a wound dressing material, drug delivery vehicle and increasingly a candidate for tissue engineering. The promise for this biomaterial is vast and will continue to increase as the chemistry to extend its capabilities and new biomedical applications are investigated. It is interesting to note that a majority of this work has come from Asia. Japan has been the undisputed leader, but other Asian nations, namely Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand have also made notable contributions. More recently, China has joined the club to become an increasingly major research source for chitin and chitosan in Asia. This review surveys select works of key groups in Asia developing chitin and chitosan materials for implantable biomedical applications.

Author Keywords: Chitin; Chitosan; Implants; Biomedical applications; Dental materials; Bone substitute materials; Wound healing; Tissue engineering; Drug delivery

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TWB-482G97R-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=4528cea5cc93e2882aed0b6593ef5dbb

I would suppose many dust-mite & cockroach allergic folks might cross-react with the chitin products, also.



Another natural product/drug that has found it's way into the mainstream in the last 15 years is glucosamine (like Osteo Bi-Flex).
My vet used this on our old Husky/Shepherd when we first moved here in 1993. He was 10 at the time, and was able to run around like a puppy for several more years. It really made a difference in his quality of life. Many folks at the Vet's office were also taking it for arthritis symptoms, but when I checked & saw it was from shellfish, I decided to refrain. Little did I know then...

And "coral calcium" is another natural source of shellfish protein. Too many other safe sources of calcium, so just be careful of health food products.

HTH,
Daisy

Self: seafood, egg, nuts, sulfites, yellow dye, IV contrast
GA - USA
Daisy
Member


Posted: Jan 22nd, 2008 at 07:47 pm

One big no-no for kids would be the "touch tanks" at aquariums. I have seen several articles about reactions in allergic children after playing in the education rooms at aquariums.

Also, some fish food contains shellfish, as does cat food. I had a hard time finding safe cat food for my allergic kitty (and avoiding a reaction for me, too.) Smiley

Oddly enough, hermit crabs are vegetarians, so it would be up to the parents to weigh the child having a hermit crab, but most of the food would be safe. But you really wouldn't want the child to handle the crab.

Here is a good guide to fish/shellfish allergies from the Candian government. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/fispoie.shtml

Take care,
Daisy

Self: seafood, egg, nuts, sulfites, yellow dye, IV contrast
GA - USA
CMdeux
Moderator1


Posted: Jan 23rd, 2008 at 01:09 am

Oooo--oo I know!! Pick me!!

Fish food. Seriously.
My DH and DD have to feed our fish, and I have to be VERY careful when I clean the tank that I do not contact the water-- I get contact hives wherever it touches me.

Thank you, Daisy-- those are the two things I was thinking of-- many 'combination' supplements may now contain either 'natural' calcium or chondroitin/glucosamine ingredients-- so read labels VERY carefully.

The chitin stuff was the material that I was thinking of. I know that it is used as a wound packing in the military-- the stuff is truly a miracle material in battlefield trauma. But I think I'll avoid. Smiley



« Last Edited by CMdeux Jan 23rd, 2008 at 01:10 am »



"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." -Robert Louis Stevenson




USA
booandbrimom
Member


Posted: Jan 23rd, 2008 at 09:40 pm

Bump (testing)

artlvr
Member


Posted: Jan 24th, 2008 at 09:46 pm

Thank you everyone for this great information!

quick question: what about tuna fish if you are only allergic to shellfish?

Kimberly
Midwest, USA

PA only
Daisy
Member


Posted: Jan 25th, 2008 at 01:08 pm

Tuna? I would still worry about the processing plant. Perhaps call the manufacturer about shellfish contamination, just like you would for peanuts.

I know McC said she has found Kosher tuna.

Take care,
Daisy

Self: seafood, egg, nuts, sulfites, yellow dye, IV contrast
GA - USA
LL70
Member


Posted: Jan 25th, 2008 at 06:18 pm

I reacted to tuna (in the can - don't remember what brands) a couple of times and not other times which makes me believe it may be cross contaminated with shellfish.

Also what about the dye that they inject into you when you go for an x-ray or sonogram? I'm actually curious about that because I may need to do that one day soon and am concerned.

Me - PA/TNA/Shellfish & too many MFA including carrots, some legumes, blueberries, banana, arugula, some cheeses like swiss, romano, all melons (also highly allergic to mold,grass,trees,ragweed)

DS - is PA/TNA and sesame/poppy/sunflower allergy & legume allergy. New allergies: soybeans & coconut as of Jan 2010
GoingNuts
Moderator


Posted: Jan 26th, 2008 at 08:05 am

This was the craziest, most unexpected thing I ever saw - McCain's Sweet Potato Fries. I was going through the camp pantry for PA, TN, Sesame last summer before DS went up there, and reading ingredients on everything freakin' thing in the kitchen. I pulled out the fries and showed them to the nurse and food service director as an example of completely unexpected hidden allergens. I mean really, who would ever suspect that, KWIM?

Amy

USA
Mom to two boys:
DS #1 - Age 20, Superbad OAS
DS #2 - Age 17, PA, TNA, Soy, Sesame and Chick Pea

"Speak out against the madness." -- David Crosby
Daisy
Member


Posted: Jan 26th, 2008 at 11:12 am

I will cross-post, as this information is not indicated for children...

Intra-Uterine Insemination procedure - some type of shellfish derivative used for washing the sperm.

There is another "wash" they can use, so please let them know of your allergy, and remind them each time you take the sperm in for the procedure. Don't wait until they are ready to start the IUI before reminding them of your allergy.

Take care,
Daisy

Self: seafood, egg, nuts, sulfites, yellow dye, IV contrast
GA - USA
artlvr
Member


Posted: Jan 27th, 2008 at 08:34 am

Thanks Daisy. Although my initial questioning was for a child I knew that others could benifit from this post. Smiley


Thank you all for your wonderful insight and input!

Kimberly
Midwest, USA

PA only
artlvr
Member


Posted: Jan 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm

Yikes! That's showing up in all kinds of stuff. Let us know what your allergist says.

Kimberly
Midwest, USA

PA only
Mfamom
Moderator1


Posted: Feb 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

In current FAAN newsletter a member allergic to fish and shellfish reported a reaction to a salad dressing containing menhaden oil that was served at a restaurant. Menhaden are a type of fish, so avoid anything with this oil!

"People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel."

Committee Member Hermes
Daisy
Member


Posted: Feb 7th, 2008 at 01:05 pm

Feb 7th, 2008 at 12:17 pm, Mfamom wrote:
...Menhaden are a type of fish, so avoid anything with this oil!


Thanks, I've heard of anchovies and always have to remind folks at the pizza place that these are fish. Smiley But menhaden is a new one!

Thanks,
Daisy

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