DS sudden extreme itchy/tingly mouth/lips from salmon

[Itchymouth23]

My 11 year old son’s favourite food is salmon. The last two times he has eaten it he has developed extreme itching and tingling in his mouth and on his lips. He said it feels like it is attacking his mouth in the same way pineapple does (I never knew pineapple did this until now!).

It’s not a new food, he usually eats salmon maybe once every week with no I’ll effects, apart from the last couple of times. I’ve given him an anti histamine and the itching has stopped.

Could it be a kind of allergic reaction? Or would he have had symptoms earlier If it was?

Then when I woke up he said do you have any food allergies so I said yes to kiwi and pineapple. Turns out I should have told them at pre op and they would have used non latex gloves!!

That is the exact reaction I get to tree nuts which I am definitely allergic to.

It does sound like an allergic reaction, so do speak to his GP.

It won't be oral allergy syndrome though, as some have suggested, as that's exclusive to plant/nuts/seeds as it comes from an allergy to plant protein (the actual allergy is to pollen but immune systems are weird and get confused).

I would avoid salmon/fish until he's seen a specialist. In some cases with fish reactions it's not fish but the anisakis parasite causing the allergy, or even cross contamination from crustaceans (a common allergy).

Definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. I’d ask for a referral to an allergy clinic.

Fish allergy is common to develop despite previously having no issues. Do be aware that people with severe allergies to fish can experience reactions just being around cooked fish. I’d avoid cooking it until he’s seen a specialist just to be on the safe side.

He is allergic to penicillin and I have hay fever and his sibling is milk intolerant , I don’t know if that might be linked. But loads of people have hay fever and are milk intolerant so probably not!

I have never heard of oral allergy syndrome until today, I will look it up.

it is strange that it has only happened now after him eating it for most of his life, although it seems that some have become allergic to things later in life! I never knew this could happen!

Strangely it is only the last couple of times it’s happens , first time mild itching, then today itching to the point he was frantically scraping his tongue and lips to stop it. They are the only times I’ve used the air fryer too, but that may be coincidental.

How strange that pineapple and latex are connected! My sister is allergic to latex and I am allergic to whatever the ecg pads are made off! Would have never related those with food!

I would err on the side of it being a full blown allergy rather than OAS until you have seen allergy clinic

Sorry, the above response was to FangedFrisbee

When I was growing up we ate a lot of fish, and I always had a wet cloth on hand as my face would itch so badly when eating ray…only ray. I’d take a bite then rub my mouth with it. I’m 48 now and only realised I must be allergic a couple of years ago. I still eat it though.

Interesting that your son is allergic to penicillin, so am I (as well as tree nuts and dogs!)

Oral Allergy Syndrome is just fruit and vegetables isn't it? So, fish wouldn't be that.

DS gets it with apples via hay fever.

Omg I thought pineapple was just like that... had no idea it didn't make everyone's mouth itchy and stingy?!

You can only become allergic to something you've encountered previously! So it could be something you've eaten every day for decades and then suddenly you can't.

Please read my post above, OP, and avoid all fish until he's been seen by a specialist, his reactions have already escalated and next time it could be worse.

Make sure you know the signs to look out for in case it does escalate to anaphylaxis, and if you suspect that you must call an ambulance asap and state that it's suspected anaphylaxis.

And nuts/seeds. Just plant protein, so it's not that.

That makes me sound so stupid! I genuinely had no idea this wasn't a normal reaction to pineapple. Just assumed it was one of those things, like how 🌶️ are spicy. I do have allergies/intolerances to other food too but don't have similar reactions

My eldest DS reacts to watches too, but that’s only a contact allergy and easily avoided. Unlikely to be related to food I would think.

I think pineapple IS known to Irritate the mouth, and doesn't necessarily mean an allergy. Happens to me if I eat too much.

My son is anaphylactic and gets this itchy/burning mouth and tongue
Fish is best avoided if it causes this as the hospital told me you have a couple of milder reactions then a full blown reaction will happen on Average on the third time

Will read your post. Thank you!

Should I avoid all fish just in case? Not just salmon?

Fish is one of the only things he eats! He is really fussy with food, it’s a nightmare, but he could probably survive on bagels with cheese and carrot sticks while we are waiting to see someone.

I have sent a message to our GP who will get back to me (online consultation).

I have no idea why it isn’t showing when I have tried to quote people!

The last response was to SinisterKnitter!

I have oral allergy syndrome and I don't think fish could cause it so I'd be taking this really seriously and avoiding fish until he's been checked out and tested! Allergies can get worse with repeated exposure.

Hi, allergy queen here I'm allergic to do many things, in my case all pharmaceutical products, but came here to say:

You can develop an allergy at any time of life. Tingly lips and tongue is literally the first thing that happens to me as soon as I'm having a reaction, big or small. With each exposure, the reaction will worsen. This can either be microscopically, or you can have a real bad time of it. So if you are experiencing allergic reactions, see your GP asap, and seek advice on where to go from there.

People mentioning Oral Allergy Syndrome are wrong. This can occur to things like nuts and fruits but not fish.

This sounds more like a true IGE allergy. Fish allergies tend to develop later in life.

I'd get him tested for a salmon allergy.

Consider the ingredients in the Olive oil spray too for potential allergens. Some of the sprays are full of hideous nasties.

They test for different species of fish with allergy testing, my DC was allergic to white fish but not salmon/tuna etc. So you could see how others types of fish go but may be best to be cautious.

If you can manage it financially nd it's important to not restrict his diet for too long then look at private appointments (proper allergy doctors not some quack hair stand testing) as waiting lists can be very long.