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Shellfish Allergy Treatment
in San Mateo, CA

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The Allergy and Asthma Clinic in San Mateo offers specialized care for individuals managing shellfish allergy. Our clinic combines advanced diagnostic techniques and personalized treatment planning to support patients through every step of their journey. With a focus on long-term management, we address both immediate needs and ongoing health considerations. Patients benefit from an experienced team that values clear communication and thorough monitoring. This thoughtful approach creates a reassuring environment where progress and well-being are consistently prioritized.
Table Of Contents
What Is a Shellfish Allergy?
Your Initial Consultation
Shellfish Allergy Treatments
How Long Does It Take to Treat Shellfish Allergy?
Candidates for Shellfish Allergy Treatment
Benefits of Shellfish Allergy Treatment
Cost of Shellfish Allergy Treatment in San Mateo, CA
The Allergy and Asthma Clinic Offers Professional Allergy Care
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is a Shellfish Allergy Treatment in San Mateo, CA Banner

What Is a Shellfish
Allergy?

Shellfish allergy is a reaction that happens when someone’s immune system overreacts to proteins found in shellfish like shrimp, crab, or lobster. In people with this allergy, the body mistakenly treats these proteins as dangerous and produces IgE antibodies, which trigger symptoms such as hives, stomach cramps, or even serious breathing problems. Because the reactions can be unpredictable and sometimes severe, it is crucial for those affected to avoid shellfish completely and stay alert to possible cross-contact when eating out or cooking.

Your Initial Consultation

Evaluation of Symptoms

Your initial consultation begins with a detailed review of your symptoms, including when they occur, their severity, and what foods may be triggering them. This helps the doctor understand whether your reactions are consistent with a shellfish allergy or possibly related to something else.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend tests such as skin pricks, blood tests, or supervised oral food challenges. These results are essential for making an accurate diagnosis and ruling out other food sensitivities or conditions that may mimic an allergy.
The doctor will go over your test results and discuss treatment options tailored to your specific needs. This may include dietary guidance, emergency medications such as epinephrine, and strategies to avoid shellfish in daily life.
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Shellfish Allergy
Treatments

Epinephrine (Adrenaline) Auto-Injectors or Nasal Sprays

For individuals with food allergies, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray is often essential. This fast-acting medication is used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, by quickly reversing symptoms like swelling, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. It is a critical emergency response tool that should always be kept on hand if you have a diagnosed shellfish allergy.
Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a treatment approach in which patients are gradually administered small doses of the allergen under medical supervision. Although this method can be effective, it often carries a risk of allergic reactions during treatment and focuses solely on the specific allergen being addressed.
For many patients, XOLAIR (omalizumab) presents a safer treatment option with a lower risk of side effects compared to OIT. It works by targeting immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key antibody involved in allergic reactions, helping to reduce the body’s sensitivity to allergens. Unlike OIT, which is limited to a specific food, XOLAIR offers protection against multiple food allergens, including shellfish. Clinical studies have shown that it can significantly reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions, making accidental exposures less dangerous. It also works more quickly than traditional desensitization therapies. With FDA approval for use in individuals with severe food allergies, XOLAIR is rapidly becoming a preferred option for managing complex and high-risk food allergies.
The most effective way to prevent a reaction is to avoid allergen exposure. This means carefully reading food labels, asking about ingredients when dining out, and being aware of cross-contamination risks in both food preparation and packaging.
How Long Does It Take to Treat Shellfish Allergy San Mateo California Banner

How Long Does It
Take to Treat
Shellfish Allergy?

Treating a shellfish allergy is usually not a quick fix, as it involves long-term management rather than a cure. The timeline can vary depending on the severity of the allergy, the chosen treatment methods, and the body’s response over time. For many patients, the focus is on reducing the risk of reactions through avoidance and preparedness, which includes regular doctor visits, education, and emergency planning.
If options like oral immunotherapy are pursued, the whole process can take many months or even years, requiring consistent follow-up and monitoring. During an oral food challenge or specific treatments, you may spend up to two hours in the clinic, allowing specialists to observe how your body reacts. Our allergy and asthma specialists are incredibly kind and supportive, ensuring that every step—from diagnosis to ongoing care—is handled with compassion and clarity.

Candidates for Shellfish Allergy Treatment

Shellfish allergy treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and determining who should pursue specific treatments depends on personal and clinical factors. Candidates for treatment typically include the following groups:
  • Individuals with a confirmed shellfish allergy diagnosis
  • Patients who have experienced moderate to severe reactions
  • People with a family history of severe food allergies
  • Patients seeking protection from food allergies for occupational or lifestyle reasons
  • Patients with persistent or early-onset shellfish allergy
  • Individuals preparing for travel or significant life changes involving dietary risks
Benefits of Shellfish Allergy Treatment in San Mateo, CA Banner

Benefits of Shellfish
Allergy Treatment

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, exploring treatment options can help individuals manage their allergy more confidently and safely. The potential benefits of shellfish allergy treatment include:
  • Reduced risk of severe allergic reactions
  • Greater peace of mind in daily life
  • Improved understanding of allergen avoidance
  • Emergency readiness with proper medications
  • More dietary flexibility in some cases
  • Increased confidence when eating out or traveling
  • Support from experienced allergy specialists

Cost of Shellfish
Allergy Treatment in
San Mateo, CA

The cost of diagnosing and managing shellfish allergy in San Mateo can vary significantly depending on several factors. These include the type and number of allergy tests conducted—whether skin prick tests or specialized blood work—the complexity of any oral food challenges, and whether you require advanced therapies or multiple doctor visits.

While health insurance often covers basic testing and some treatments, out-of-pocket expenses may arise from specialist consultations, co-pays, deductibles, or services that are only partially covered. Additionally, regional clinic pricing, lab fees, and whether services are provided at a private allergy center versus a hospital setting all influence the overall cost.

Schedule a consultation at the Allergy and Asthma Clinic to receive personalized guidance.

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The Allergy and
Asthma Clinic Offers
Professional Allergy Care

What sets the Allergy and Asthma Clinic apart is the way every detail is handled with expertise and compassion. Dr. Engler and his team are amazing allergists who have helped patients countless times through accurate diagnosis and tailored care. From the moment someone arrives, the atmosphere is consistently welcoming, and the front desk staff make scheduling and follow-ups incredibly easy. Patients report feeling well cared for throughout the entire process, knowing that their concerns are taken seriously and addressed with clarity and respect.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can allergic reactions be life-threatening?
Yes, allergic reactions to certain foods like shellfish and tree nuts can lead to life-threatening reactions in some individuals. People with severe allergies need to be especially cautious because these reactions can escalate quickly. It’s important to remember that other conditions, such as seasonal allergy, typically cause milder symptoms and are not usually life-threatening.
Doctors usually perform multiple tests to confirm a diagnosis. Skin prick tests are commonly used to identify allergens by placing small amounts of suspected substances on the skin and gently pricking the surface. In some cases, an intradermal test, which involves injecting a tiny amount of allergen just under the skin, may be performed for more sensitive detection. Blood tests measure the blood level of specific IgE antibodies to particular allergens, providing another way to confirm allergies without exposing the skin. Finally, a doctor analyzes all collected data to establish a diagnosis.
Allergy shots are generally not recommended for shellfish allergy because the risks of severe reactions during treatment are high, and current evidence does not support their safety or effectiveness for this type of food allergy.
Yes, our clinic welcomes patients from the entire San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to food allergies, we diagnose and treat environmental allergies, including reactions to pet dander and dust mites, offering comprehensive care for various allergic conditions.
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Types of Asthma
Testing for Asthma
Asthma Treatments
Allergies

Food Allergies

Insect Allergies

Environmental Allergies

Skin allergies

Other CommonAllergies

Nose & Sinus Allergies

Allergies Testing
Allergic Treatments

Allergy Shots

Allergy Drops

Allergy Medications

Lifestyle Changes

First and foremost let me start by saying that these people did one hell of a job figuring out my sinus problems. When I first arrived there, I explained what was going on with me having excessive inflammation in the sinus…after they tested me, I found out that I was being exposed to dust mites which gave me a strong reaction. I followed the doctors guides lines in terms of cleaning my room and ever since, my sinus inflammation went away for good and now I have a healthy sinus. Thank you for everything.

- Johnathon T
Dr. Engler is great and his staff, both medical and administrative, are wonderful. Dr. Engler is competent, caring, and listens better than any doctor I’ve ever had, constantly and patiently asking if I have any more questions. The staff is great. The nurses are very friendly and helpful. The desk staff is the same. I have been going here over a year and have always received caring and competent treatment. I highly recommend them.
- Tom B
Hands down the best place to go for Allergies and Asthma. The staff is incredibly kind and caring and so professional and helpful. I’ve been going here for over 30 years and they have gone out of their way countless times to make sure that I was well-cared-for. The nurses are excellent and always make sure to ask how my family is doing not to mention that they give the most painless allergy shots around. They remember little details about me and always make sure to give me a lollipop for my son, even when he’s not with me. Brooke is a great diagnostician and listener and each time I have an appointment with her, I always leave feeling better. The same is true for Dr. Engler.

My 10 year old son also has allergies and asthma and the staff makes sure that he feels well taken care of and comfortable, despite his having Autism and ADHD. He actually looks forward to going there with me, whether it be for my allergy shots or even when he needed allergy skin testing. When you’re a patient at the Allergy and Asthma clinic, you are treated as if you are the only patient they have, even when the waiting room is full. Dr. Engler has hired truly excellent staff, from the front desk people to the nurses and medical assistants. If you have allergies and/or asthma and you live on the Peninsula or even in the city, I highly recommend that you visit the Allergy and Asthma Clinic. They are truly amazing and will make you feel so much better.

-Sandi S.
I had an amazing experience at this clinic. Dr. Engler and the staff were all extremely welcoming, warm, and thorough in their various lanes of work from the front desk to billing to the assistants to Dr. Engler himself.
One thing I wish I knew before coming in was that the food test covers 80 allergens, and the environmental test covers 80 allergens meaning if you want to do both you need to come two separate days. This is kind of a hassle but definitely worth it since you’ll be tested for 160 allergens whereas most clinics only test 80 total.
Through the tests I figured out what I was allergic to and was advised to use an over the counter medication which has drastically helped and eliminated the symptoms I was experiencing. Dr. Engler also covered all the things I needed to do to reduce my symptoms via my lifestyle which was super helpful with my symptom reduction as well. I’d highly recommend this clinic! Insurance covered the tests and visits. (I have anthem blue cross)
-Christina L
I’ve been a patient at The Allergy and Asthma Clinic for over 12 years, and I can’t speak highly enough of the care I’ve received. Growing up with severe pollen allergies, I’ve been on and off allergy shots for years, and this clinic has truly been a lifesaver for me.
From the moment you walk in, you’re treated like family. The staff is incredibly kind, caring, and genuinely invested in your well-being. I have never had a negative experience with anyone here; everyone is consistently friendly and supportive.
Dr. Engler is exceptional! He has a remarkable ability to quickly and effectively address any situation. His expertise and compassionate approach have made a significant difference in managing my allergies.
If you’re struggling with allergies or asthma, this is the place to go. I wholeheartedly recommend The Allergy and Asthma Clinic to anyone seeking top-notch care.
-Trevor C