Shellfish and Fish Allergies in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Seafood allergies are common in West Michigan, even among people who rarely eat ocean fish. It’s estimated that about 1 in every 100 people has a seafood allergy. This includes:

  • Scaly fish (such as salmon, tuna, cod, trout, snapper)
  • Shellfish, including
    • Mollusks – oysters, mussels, clams, scallops, squid, calamari
    • Crustaceans – shrimp/prawns, crab, lobster, crayfish

In Grand Rapids and along the Lake Michigan shoreline, fish and shellfish are served in many local restaurants and fish fries, so understanding shellfish and fish allergies is important for both residents and visitors.

What Is a Shellfish or Fish Allergy?

A shellfish or fish allergy happens when your immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in seafood as harmful. Your body then releases chemicals like histamine, which cause allergy symptoms.

This reaction can occur:

  • After eating fish or shellfish
  • After touching raw or cooked seafood
  • After inhaling steam or fumes while seafood is being cooked or processed (for example, in restaurants, food plants, or at home)

In Michigan’s colder months, many people spend more time indoors, which can increase exposure to cooking fumes in enclosed spaces.

Symptoms of Shellfish and Fish Allergies

Mild to Moderate Symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person and from one reaction to another. Milder symptoms can include:

  • Raised red, itchy bumps on the skin (hives or urticaria)
  • Itchy skin or rash
  • Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or face
  • Tingling or itching of the mouth and throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing
  • Mild stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting

These milder symptoms can sometimes be the early warning signs of a more serious reaction, especially in children.

Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

A severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, is life threatening and requires immediate emergency care. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include:

  • Difficult or noisy breathing
  • Wheezing or persistent cough
  • Swelling of the tongue
  • Swelling or tightness in the throat
  • Difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
  • Dizziness, feeling faint, or collapse
  • Pale and floppy appearance in young children
  • Severe stomach pain, vomiting

In Grand Rapids, call 911 immediately if you suspect anaphylaxis.

Food Allergies Can Be Life Threatening

If you, or someone in your care, is having a severe allergic reaction:

  1. Call 911 right away – request an ambulance.
  2. Lay the person flat.
    • Do not allow them to stand or walk.
    • If pregnant, lie on the left side.
    • If breathing is difficult, they may sit with legs outstretched.
  3. Administer adrenaline (epinephrine) using an injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.
  4. If there is no improvement after 5 minutes, give another dose of adrenaline if available.
  5. Give adrenaline first, then use an asthma reliever inhaler if needed and prescribed.

Always go to the nearest emergency department after using an adrenaline injector, even if symptoms improve. In Grand Rapids, emergency care is available at facilities such as:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health locations in the region

Cross-Reactivity: Allergies to Multiple Types of Seafood

The specific protein that triggers your allergy may be present in more than one type of seafood. This is known as cross-reactivity.

  • Some people allergic to one type of fish (for example, salmon) may react to other fish (such as trout, cod, or tuna).
  • People allergic to one crustacean (such as shrimp) are often allergic to others (like crab or lobster).
  • Reactions to mollusks (such as oysters, mussels, squid) may or may not occur in people with crustacean allergy.

Because cross-reactivity is hard to predict, it’s important to discuss this with a clinical immunology/allergy specialist. In many cases, you may be advised to avoid all fish, all shellfish, or both.

Diagnosing Shellfish and Fish Allergies in Grand Rapids

Step 1: Keep a Symptom Diary

If you think you or your child may have a shellfish or fish allergy, keeping a record can help your doctor. Write down:

  • What you ate or drank (including sauces, soups, and fried foods)
  • When symptoms started
  • Type of symptoms (skin, breathing, stomach, etc.)
  • Whether you were:
    • Inside or outside
    • At home, school, work, restaurant, or event
  • Any medications, herbal products, or supplements taken

This is especially useful in a city like Grand Rapids, where seafood may appear in unexpected dishes at restaurants, breweries, and festivals.

Step 2: See Your Primary Care Doctor

Your family doctor or primary care provider will:

  • Review your symptom history
  • Ask about other allergies (such as hay fever, asthma, or eczema)
  • Examine you and consider other possible causes

If a food allergy is suspected, your doctor will usually refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist in West Michigan.

Step 3: Allergy Testing

An allergy specialist may use one or more of these evidence-based tests:

  • Skin prick test – a tiny amount of fish or shellfish allergen is placed on the skin and lightly pricked to see if a small hive develops.
  • Blood test – measures specific IgE antibodies to fish or shellfish proteins.
  • Elimination diet and food challenge – under strict medical supervision, you avoid suspected foods for a period, then reintroduce them in a controlled setting to confirm the diagnosis.

These tests should always be done under medical guidance, especially if you have had severe reactions.

Unproven Allergy Tests to Avoid

Some tests are not scientifically validated and can lead to incorrect diagnoses and unnecessary food restrictions. Avoid:

  • Cytotoxic food testing
  • Electrodermal testing (Vega testing)
  • Hair analysis
  • Iridology
  • Kinesiology
  • Pulse testing
  • Reflexology for allergy diagnosis

Always speak with your doctor before using any complementary or alternative test or therapy.

Treatment: Avoiding Shellfish and Fish Safely

Currently, the only proven treatment for shellfish and fish allergies is strict avoidance of the foods that cause your reactions.

Everyday Management

  • Avoid the specific seafood you are allergic to (and any other seafood your allergist recommends avoiding).
  • Learn to read food labels carefully for:
    • Fish (e.g., anchovy, cod, haddock, salmon, tuna, pollock)
    • Shellfish (shrimp, prawns, crab, lobster, crayfish, scallops, clams, mussels, oysters, squid, octopus)
    • Fish-based ingredients (fish sauce, fish stock, Worcestershire sauce, Caesar dressing, surimi/imitation crab, some omega‑3 supplements)
  • Be cautious with:
    • Fried foods (cross-contact from shared fryers)
    • Asian, Cajun, and seafood restaurants
    • Buffets and food trucks
  • In West Michigan, take extra care at:
    • Lake Michigan fish fries and seafood festivals
    • Breweries and restaurants that feature seasonal fish dishes

When Eating Out in Grand Rapids

Always:

  • Tell restaurant staff clearly that you have a fish or shellfish allergy.
  • Ask about:
    • Ingredients in sauces, soups, and fried items
    • Shared grills, fryers, or utensils
  • When in doubt, choose a different dish.

Many Grand Rapids restaurants are familiar with food allergies, but you should still be very clear and specific each time you eat out.

Adrenaline Injectors and Action Plans

If you are at risk of anaphylaxis, your allergist may prescribe an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector, such as:

  • EpiPen®
  • Anapen® (or other brand, depending on availability)

You should:

  • Carry your injector at all times, especially:
    • At school or work
    • At sporting events
    • When traveling around Michigan or out of state
  • Have a written Anaphylaxis Action Plan (such as an ASCIA-style plan adapted for U.S. use), specific to the brand of injector you use.
  • Make sure family, caregivers, teachers, and coworkers know:
    • Where your injector is kept
    • How to use it
    • When to call 911

Consider wearing medical identification jewelry, which can help first responders in an emergency.

Some medications, such as beta blockers, may worsen an allergic reaction or interfere with treatment. Discuss all your medications with your doctor.

Local Considerations for Grand Rapids and Michigan

  • Seasonal changes: Cold, dry winters can aggravate asthma and respiratory conditions, which may complicate allergic reactions to foods. If you have asthma, keep it well controlled, especially in winter.
  • Indoor exposure: During long winters, more cooking happens indoors with windows closed. If someone in your household is highly sensitive, be cautious with steam and fumes from cooking seafood.
  • Travel and camping: When visiting Lake Michigan beaches, cabins, or camps, bring safe foods, your adrenaline injector, and your action plan, as seafood may be served at group meals or fish fries.

Local support and information may be available through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
  • Local hospital allergy and immunology clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

When to Seek Medical Help

Call 911 Immediately If:

  • You suspect anaphylaxis (trouble breathing, throat or tongue swelling, severe dizziness, collapse).
  • You have used an adrenaline injector for any reason.

Contact Your Doctor or Allergist If:

  • You or your child has had any allergic symptoms after eating or touching fish or shellfish.
  • You are unsure which foods are safe to eat.
  • You need help understanding food labels or making a safe eating plan.

Accurate diagnosis is essential. Misdiagnosis can lead to:

  • Unnecessary food avoidance, which can cause poor nutrition and food aversion, especially in children.
  • Missed diagnosis of a serious allergy, which can put you at risk for life-threatening reactions.

Key Points About Shellfish and Fish Allergies in Grand Rapids

  • Shellfish and fish allergies are more common in adults and adolescents than in young children.
  • Symptoms can range from mild hives or stomach upset to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
  • Histamine release causes many allergy symptoms, including hives, swelling, and itching.
  • Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency – always use your adrenaline injector if prescribed and call 911.
  • The main treatment is strict avoidance of the seafood that causes your allergy.
  • Work with your Grand Rapids healthcare team—your GP and a clinical immunology/allergy specialist—for accurate diagnosis, an emergency action plan, and long-term management.

If you live in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan and suspect a shellfish or fish allergy, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or ask for a referral to a local allergy specialist to get a clear diagnosis and a personalized management plan.