shellfish allergy

Meaning

A medical condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to proteins in marine animals like shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and clams. It is crucial to communicate this clearly when traveling to avoid severe allergic reactions.

Examples

• Because of my severe shellfish allergy, I have to carry an EpiPen wherever I go.

  Because of my severe shellfish allergy, I have to carry an EpiPen wherever I go.

• Does this fish soup contain any shrimp stock? I have a shellfish allergy.

  Does this fish soup contain any shrimp stock? I have a shellfish allergy.

• You should inform the waiter about your shellfish allergy before ordering any seafood.

  You should inform the waiter about your shellfish allergy before ordering any seafood.

• Many Asian noodle dishes contain oyster sauce, which is dangerous if you have a shellfish allergy.

  Many Asian noodle dishes contain oyster sauce, which is dangerous if you have a shellfish allergy.

• She developed a sudden shellfish allergy in her twenties and can no longer eat lobster.

  She developed a sudden shellfish allergy in her twenties and can no longer eat lobster.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have allergy on shellfish.

  ✓ I have a shellfish allergy.

  In English, we say allergy to something or use shellfish allergy as a compound noun. We do not use the preposition on.

• ✗ I am allergic with shellfish.

  ✓ I am allergic to shellfish.

  The adjective allergic always takes the preposition to, never with.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to make sure there are no prawns in this dish because of my ___.

  💡 An allergic reaction to marine animals like crabs or shrimp.

  Show answer

  shellfish allergy

• If you have a severe ___, always ask the chef about cross-contamination.

  💡 Hypersensitivity to aquatic invertebrates.

  Show answer

  shellfish allergy