Seafood and Shellfish Allergy Test

Symptoms of a seafood or shellfish allergy can vary from mild to severe and may occur within minutes to several hours after exposure. Some individuals may also experience an allergic reaction simply from touching seafood or inhaling its vapors, especially during cooking. Common symptoms include^2,3:
 

• Hives or itching
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat
• Wheezing, nasal congestion, or trouble breathing
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• In severe cases, a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis can occur, which may involve difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

Even mild past reactions can become more serious over time.

Shellfish is a broad term used to describe both crustaceans and mollusks. Crustaceans include shrimp, crab, and lobster. Mollusks include clams, oysters, and scallops. This test checks for allergies to both types.

Yes, it's possible to be allergic to crustaceans and not other types of shellfish. Allergies can be specific to certain proteins found in crustaceans (like shrimp, crab, and lobster) that are not present in mollusks (like clams, oysters, and scallops). This is why our test can help identify specific types that may cause an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions to seafood can occur within minutes or up to several hours after consumption or exposure. Immediate reactions typically happen within 2 hours of eating and can range from mild symptoms like hives or itching to severe reactions like anaphylaxis.

Yes, it is possible to have a mild allergy to shellfish. Allergic reactions to shellfish can vary widely in severity, ranging from mild symptoms like itching or hives to more severe reactions such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis. Some individuals may experience only minor discomfort after consuming shellfish, while others may have more severe reactions. It's important to note that even if you've only had mild reactions in the past, future reactions can be unpredictable and potentially more severe, which is why testing and consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial if you suspect a shellfish allergy.

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.