Question: Last September I had an allergic reaction to something. My face became bright read and I had difficulty breathing. It wasn't swelling but it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I went to the emergency room and was provided IV benadryl and prednisone. The next morning the allergic reaction came back, and I went back to the hospital. They told me I was supposed to keep taking the prednisone and bendadryl for five nights, as I did.

That evening I ate a few oysters and a few pieces of shrimp along with some alcoholic cider and some pepper flavoured cocktails. We drank quite a bit of alcohol that night. The allergic reaction happened about 1.5 hours after eating the food. The prior night I also has Sushi and ate shrimp with no-problem and I frequently ate Oysters before.

When I came back to my home I did two allergy tests. One skin test with the liquid, then came back a few months later and did the real food - cooked and raw on my skin. Neither test triggered a reaction. Now they want me to go eat the food in the hospital, I wonder if this is really neccesary. The allergist said that this did not seem like an allergy but instead called it "Acute Urticarea". At the time I was under a lot of stress.

I have not eaten shrimp since this happened however did have some kimshee sauce which contains shrimp oil, oyster sauce (which may or may not contain oysters) as well as Calamari.

Is the food-test really necessary or can I just try to eat a small piece of shrimp? I am tied of avoiding all these delicious foods!