Possibly Stupid Question - Shrimp Allergy

[moneymm]

i have a shrimp allergy (throat closes), my wife has to carry an epi pen whenever we go out to eat..

now that im entering the tank game, im noticing that alot of your tanks have shrimp, either it may grow from live rock, or you put in shrimp for various reasons. or use some type of shrimp in the food.

I guess my question is, is it possible im allergic to the shrimp we are dealing with?

and is there anyway to avoid it altogether?

 

[Captainsreef]

It shouldn't be an issue but I would check with my physician. Typically people with allergoes to shellfish are only allergic to consuming the shellfish but I could be wrong and it's definately worth bringing up to a physician and getting their response.

 

[ucdcrew]

I second asking your doc. I'm allergic to peanuts, and will get a reaction (though usually not as bad, but your mileage may vary) from handling peanuts.

 

[ichthyogeek]

I'm also deathly allergic to shrimp (and clams, and fish, and peanuts and a ton of other things)! What's your sensitivity rating (the results from an allergy test)? I feed my fish whole shrimp, squid and mysis shrimp. My fingertips get a bit itchy after handling them, even after washing with soap and hot water, but if it gets unbearable, I take a Benadryl. I run a protein skimmer on my tank, so this gets out a large amount of the proteins that you and I are allergic to. Even when I get a mouthful of saltwater from starting the siphon during a water change, I have yet to go through anaphylactic shock. I've also found that my arms that used to get itchy and bumpy after a water change, don't swell as much anymore. When I had a peppermint shrimp, I didn't go through any unusual allergic reactions (arms itching and bumping aside). Unless you plan on eating the shrimp , you should be fine.

This hobby's to die for anyways, but you should be OK:lolspin:

 

[Yellow Eyes]

I just started my tank almost 2 months ago, added shrimp about 2 weeks ago, and have fed mysis a few times. I have a minor shellfish allergy (the worst I've ever had was hives, still have an epi pen just in case). I am a little nervous still so when I feed mysis I wear gloves (nitrile). I wash my hands afterward and so far I have been fine. I never noticed any redding or bumps on my arms after sticking my hand in the tank, even when my cleaner shrimp decides to clean it.

The only ill effect I am seeing at the moment is severely chapped lips. I don't know what it is from, if it is from the reef tank, or because I was putting vasoline on my lips recently due to another somewhat annoying chapped lip episode, or just because its beginning to get cold in New York. I am taking benadryl tonight to make sure it isn't an allergy.

 

[moneymm]

thanks for feedback, so theres no way to avoid shrimp altogether?

 

[Sk8r]

I'd say get basic fish, feed dried pellet, use exam gloves and don't sniff the contents. You don't have to have a shrimp in the tank---I have only one---but you may find it in fishfood.

 

[moneymm]

thanks

 

[moneymm]

I'm also deathly allergic to shrimp (and clams, and fish, and peanuts and a ton of other things)! What's your sensitivity rating (the results from an allergy test)? I feed my fish whole shrimp, squid and mysis shrimp. My fingertips get a bit itchy after handling them, even after washing with soap and hot water, but if it gets unbearable, I take a Benadryl. I run a protein skimmer on my tank, so this gets out a large amount of the proteins that you and I are allergic to. Even when I get a mouthful of saltwater from starting the siphon during a water change, I have yet to go through anaphylactic shock. I've also found that my arms that used to get itchy and bumpy after a water change, don't swell as much anymore. When I had a peppermint shrimp, I didn't go through any unusual allergic reactions (arms itching and bumping aside). Unless you plan on eating the shrimp , you should be fine.

This hobby's to die for anyways, but you should be OK:lolspin:

its been a while, wondering if you had any other reactions to speak of or if you ever talked to your doc about this. I am getting some tightness in my chest after cleaning the tank or when in the room when rocks and sand get stirred around.

 

[Jekerry]

Don’t start the water change by sucking on the siphon! Yuk! Just submerge the whole thing in the water, put your thumb or hand over the end. Remove it from the water and put it in the bucket or sink that is below the level of the tank while releasing your thumb. Water will start to flow!