Q: My son is 10 years old and suffers from allergic rhinitis because he is allergic to dust mites. The doctor said in his will that he is not allowed to eat seafood. Why should seafood be prohibited for dust mite allergy?
A: There are many causes of “allergic rhinitis”. Common triggers include dust mites, mold, pollen or pet dander. Dust mites and shrimps and crabs have the same structure of protein, so some patients who are allergic to dust mites are also allergic to shrimps and crabs, and eating “seafood” may trigger rashes or aggravate nasal symptoms.
For this reason, clinicians recommend that patients with “allergic rhinitis” should eat less or no shrimp and crab.