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Readers Respond: Your First Allergic Reaction

Responses: 1

From , former About.com Guide

Updated July 09, 2009

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While not all allergic reactions are exactly alike, knowing how other people have reacted might help you - or a child or friend - recognize a severe reaction. Do you remember your first (or your child's first) allergic reaction? Where were you and how did you respond? Share your story with other readers here.

Concerned about Shrimp

Two years ago, I experienced an allergic reaction while working out on my elliptical machine. About 20 minutes into my workout I started feeling itchy throughout my body, and soon after, I was breaking out in hives (outer extremities). I took some Benadryl, and before long, the hives had gone away. Was it the shrimp I had eaten an hour earlier? Well, at the time I didn't stop eating shrimp. As a matter of fact, from that point, until three months later, I consumed a lot of shrimp without any side effects. Around that time, I was playing basketball when I noticed my hands getting itchy. This continued for awhile until the itching spread into hives. Then, I thought, I had eaten shrimp an hour earlier! Without much thought, I made an appointment with an allergist. A skin test resulted in tiny hives, confirming an allergy to shrimp and crab. For me, this is an adult onset allergy. Has anyone else had similar reactions while working out, but not from simply ingesting the food...?
—Guest Eric

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