The allergies to shellfish, like shrimp, lobster and clams are considered to be the most common and widely found type of food allergy.

The reactions range from mild symptoms, like nasal congestion and hives, to some serious and even life-threatening problems, such as severe airway constriction and sudden, sharp drop in blood pressure.

A new study brings forth that though the shellfish allergies are found most commonly, the sufferers might build up their tolerance to prawns, lobster and oysters as they grow older.

The study highlights that there is a distinct possibility that as the age grows, the allergies can get minor or even disappear.

It is a known fact that till date very little information and knowledge is known as to how children and adults differ in the immune responses to prawn proteins.

The researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York have established that adults who are allergic to prawns tend to have a less intense immune system reaction to shellfish as compared to children.

The study has been published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, whereby the researchers observed the blood samples of 34 children and 19 adults who had a history of allergic reactions to prawns.

It was found that among children blood levels of IgE antibodies against prawns were essentially four times higher as compared with the adults.

Commenting on the findings, Researcher Rosalia Ayuso says, “The findings are the first to show that children tend to have a stronger immune response to prawns than adults”.