Credits: Social Media
Allergist responds to woman’s ‘unique’ query about scuba diving with a seafood allergy
A woman has gone viral on TikTok after asking whether someone with a severe seafood allergy can scuba dive, and an allergist has the answer.
It’s a bizarre question you’ve probably never thought about before, but interesting nonetheless. Could swimming with shellfish trigger an allergy?
Seafood allergy and scuba diving
“If I’m allergic to seafood, can I still scuba dive?” the TikTok user asked. “Or is there like fish juice and I’ll go into anaphylactic shock under the ocean?”
She isn’t actually allergic to seafood, it’s just a hypothetical question randomly that came to her mind one day.
However, everyone thought it was a valid query, with one person commenting: “Why does this question make sense to ask?”
“Wait can somebody actually answer this because it’s valid,” said another.
A third person added: “This is my type of overthinking. Good question.”
Allergist reveals the answer
Allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin responded to the “unique” question and said you are “highly unlikely” to have a reaction while scuba diving because you’re not ingesting the fish or shellfish.
Plus, the protective gear you wear while diving stops your skin from coming into contact with the allergen to cause any type of irritation.
“There are no reported cases of medical literature as far as I know of people scuba diving and going into anaphylactic shock because they had a history of a seafood allergy,” he advised.
The expert described scuba diving as a “low-risk endeavor” for people with a seafood allergy, but said it’s always best to consult your allergist for further advice.
Symptoms of a food allergy
A food allergy occurs when your immune system has an abnormal response to certain foods, mistakenly acting as if that food is harmful, MedlinePlus explains.
The most common ones are: Cow’s milk, chicken eggs, crustacean shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster and crayfish), fish, peanuts, sesame, soy, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts and pecans) and wheat.
Symptoms of a food allergy usually occur within a few minutes to two hours after eating the food and can include:
- Hives
- Flushed skin or rash
- Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Belly cramps
- Coughing or wheezing
- Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
- Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
- Trouble breathing
Severe food allergies can cause a life-threatening reaction called�anaphylaxis which requires immediate medical attention. It can begin with milder symptoms then lead to narrowed airways in the lungs, severe trouble breathing, lowering blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
Dr. Zachary Rubin is a board-certified allergist in Naperville, IL who gained his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Allergy/Immunology fellowship from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
