Crab allergy can be relieved by unreliable "detoxification" food, doctors remind you to avoid eating it again

[Reporter Luo Bi/Taipei Report] In autumn, crabs are plump and plump. Steamed, stir-fried with ginger and green onion, or boiled into crab porridge, they are all tempting. However, those who have experienced skin rashes and urticaria after eating crabs in the past should not think that they will be fine if they eat less this time. Zhuang Kejun, a doctor at Han Ming Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, reminds you that crab is a common food allergen. If you know that you will be allergic to eating crab, you should avoid eating it again, and do not rely on perilla or ginger tea to "detoxify" it.

Zhuang Kejun said that crab allergy may cause skin itching, rash, hives, and may also cause swelling of lips or eyelids. For people who have had significant allergic reactions to eating crab in the past, the most important thing is to avoid allergens. It is not recommended to try again and again with the mentality of "just one bite should be okay".

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Some people usually have no discomfort when eating seafood, but find themselves feeling unwell after eating it when they are sleep deprived, stressed, have irregular diet, or have obvious skin allergy symptoms. Zhuang Kejun pointed out that when eating crabs, you often drink alcohol at the same time, or pair them with spicy seasonings, barbecued meats and other seafood. There are many types of food throughout the meal, and it is difficult to clarify which food is related to the discomfort. People who are usually prone to itchy skin and recurring urticaria should pay more attention to their diet and physical condition if the redness and itchiness have become obvious recently.

Eating crab with ginger and perilla is a familiar way for many people. Zhuang Kejun said that from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, perilla has the functions of dispelling wind and cold, promoting qi and regulating the stomach. It can be added to crab dishes to add aroma, and some people use perilla and ginger to make tea. However, perilla is only a dietary supplement and is not a medicine to prevent or treat crab allergies. People who are allergic to crabs may still have allergic reactions if they eat perilla first.

Zhuang Kejun reminded that people who do not have a history of crab allergies should also pay attention to the freshness and storage conditions when enjoying autumn crabs. They should fully heat them before eating, and avoid raw crabs, undercooked or spoiled seafood. When eating crabs, it is not advisable to consume a large amount of alcohol, spicy and high-fat foods at the same time, and do not eat too much at one time just because it is plump in season.

If skin itching, rash or urticaria occurs after eating crab, you should stop eating, pay attention to changes in symptoms, and do not eat large amounts of so-called "detoxification" foods or health foods on your own. If your lips, tongue or throat are swollen, or if you have difficulty breathing, stridor, dizziness, fainting and other symptoms, you should seek medical treatment immediately. You cannot rely solely on perilla and ginger tea.

Zhuang Kejun emphasized that allergic reactions are not "accumulation of toxins in the body." For people who have experienced rashes after eating crabs, it is more important to avoid contact again than to find ways to "detoxify" afterwards.