Shellfish allergy advice wanted!

[Rossvegas]

Hi Folks!

I have good friend who is extremely allergic to shellfish, and she is planning on attending her first fest. She said that she will be bringing some emergency vaccinations should she suffer any reactions, but I'm more than a little worried for her...

According to WebMd, the following items should be avoided:

* Abalone
* Clams
* Crab
* Crawfish, crayfish
* Lobster
* Oysters
* Scallops
* Shrimp
* Cockle, sea urchin
* Mussels

That's pretty much everything I eat in New Orleans! (Okay, maybe not abalone, cockles and sea urchins, but...)

What concerns me is that she recently had a reaction when someone was re-heating seafood in her business's cafeteria. Even more troubling, when I think of alternative foods that she COULD eat (po boys, etc.), it occurs to me that most of the foods are deep fried in the same oil. In fact, WebMD says:

"Be careful with fried foods. Some restaurants use the same oil to fry shrimp, chicken, and French fries. Also, keep in mind that imitation shellfish may still contain shellfish as many manufactures add shellfish for flavoring. Before you use it, read the label to be sure."

When you overlay things like the currently fragile health care system in NOLA, and the difficulty in making your way through the crowds to the emergency tent at the Fest...well, you get the picture.

Anyone have any experience with something like this? I would love to hear your thoughts!

[ibjamn]

I would say stay away from fried foods. Not so hard; roast beef po boys, muffalettas, chicken & sausage gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya (chicken & sausage), couchon de lait, cuban sammiches, fried turkey & cracklins, sweet potato pone, meat pies.
The only restaurant that I know for sure fries everything separately in different oils is Bozo's in Metairie. (A wonderful, old seafood restaurant.)
Many places offer grilled fish, or maybe trout meuniere at Mandinas?

[ibjamn]

The other thing, does she have an epi pen? If so, she can treat her own reactions without the med tent. Keep lots of benadryl on hand too.
ibjamn RN

[windowman]

I would suggest you contact the fest directly with your concerns/questions regarding food preparation at the fairgrounds. I would be leery of your friend eating fin fish as well, unless you know it not to be a problem for her. Depending on the person's sensitivity, you can have reactions to catfish, trout or any other fish. Iodine is the culprit here and it is present in all types of seafood, but much greater in shellfish. The epi-pen is something this person should have always.

I believe that Creole's Stuffed Bread will be available again this year, which should not be a problem, but you should ask the folks in the kitchen.

[Rossvegas]

Yes Jen, that's what I was talking about: the epi pen. She said she was going to bring 2 or 3 of them...

[MzJoey]

Everyone she's traveling w/ should have a pen and know how to use it.

I don't eat shellfish and there seems to be plenty of options, at the fairgrounds. I always "declare" at the gate that I'm diabetic and they always let me bring my trail mix, small oj, gatorade or pnut butter & jelly sandwiches w/ me.

But I think some advance work on the restaurants would go a long way. If you can identify restaurants you're likely to go to...if they don't have webpage, call the rest. and ask them to fax you a menu. Some restaurants use clam juice in their soups etc. you could call ahead and ask your questions. Also, I would be specific when speakin w/ waitstaff. I would not say I'm allergic to shellfish, does this dish have any. I would say....i'm allergic to crayfish, shrimp, lobster, crab....or anything like that is there any is this dish...be specific...don't rely on waitstaff knowing what is shellfish and what isn't.

I would find out ahead of time what my medical options are, what facilities would be best to go to...maybe local NOLA-ites can help out here.

[steffie]

Along with epi pen your friend should bring along some Benadryl. She should also ask her primary healthcare provider for a Medrol Dose Pak prescription - these are both important for minor reactions and the "big" one if it were to occur.
Great idea that her friiends should carry the epi pen and KNOW how to use it.

[saturn]

If she is really worried about the food at the festival, she could probably carry a doctor's note about her allergies and bring her own food.

I recall that some of Festnut's crew bring their own food for medical reasons and are allowed in with it.

[swag]

Just posted this to the backpack thread too, but for the record, outside food is allowed. Just no beverages.

[stlbarb]

in theory, vegetarian foods should not contain any seafood products.
but i've heard of chicken broth being used in mashed potatoes, and it would not surprise me that clam juice is a secret ingredient in some vegetable soups.
and if the allergies are severe, i would be concerned about the same spoon being used to serve different dishes. jambalaya w/ seafood and vegetarian red beans & rice.
i would make sure you explain your concerns when ordering af fest or restaurants.