Crab is a beloved shellfish enjoyed by many. Its sweet succulent meat is the star of dishes like crab cakes crab legs, cioppino, and more. However, some people experience diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues after eating crab. If you’ve ever wondered “Can crab give you diarrhea?”, read on to learn the facts.
Why Crab Can Cause Diarrhea
There are a few reasons why crab may lead to diarrhea or other digestive problems
Bacterial Contamination
Like any seafood, crabs can become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Common culprits include:
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Vibrio bacteria – Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever within 24 hours of eating contaminated seafood Vibrio is more common in raw shellfish.
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Norovirus – This highly contagious virus spreads quickly and causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
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Hepatitis A virus
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Parasites like Giardia
Contaminated crabs may smell or taste off. Cooking thoroughly kills most bacteria and viruses, but parasites may still be present.
Iodine in Crab
Crab contains high amounts of iodine compared to other foods. Too much iodine can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and loose stools. Those with thyroid issues or taking prescription iodine may be at higher risk.
Allergic Reaction
Some people are allergic to crab and other shellfish. Diarrhea can be a symptom of a food allergy, along with:
- Hives, rash or itching
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Nasal congestion or hay fever symptoms
Shellfish allergies develop later in life for many people. Reactions can worsen with repeated exposures. Those with other food allergies have a higher risk.
High Cholesterol Content
Crab meat contains high amounts of cholesterol – around 45-130 mg per 100g. For some sensitive individuals, a heavy crab meal can increase bile secretion and bowel movements. Those with gallbladder issues may be more susceptible.
Individual Sensitivity
Some people’s digestive systems are more sensitive to fat, protein, sodium, or spice in crab dishes. The high shellfish protein and fat combo could equal diarrhea for sensitive folks or overindulgers.
Accompaniments like butter and cocktail sauce can also trigger diarrhea in the prone. And heavily spiced crab boils may irritate delicate digestive systems.
Signs and Symptoms of Crab-Induced Diarrhea
If you experience diarrhea after eating crab, watch for these common signs:
- Watery or loose stools
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating and gas
- Feeling the urge to have a bowel movement soon after eating
- Dehydration from fluid loss
Symptoms typically begin 30 minutes to several hours after eating contaminated or problematic crab. Food poisoning symptoms can start within 1-2 days. Allergic reactions usually occur rapidly but may occasionally have a delayed onset.
Seek medical care right away if you experience any concerning symptoms like high fever, blood in stool, signs of shellfish allergy, inability to keep fluids down, or diarrhea lasting over 48 hours.
Who’s at Risk for Crab-Related Diarrhea?
Certain individuals have higher chances of diarrhea or other issues when eating crab:
- People with existing shellfish allergies
- Those with current stomach bugs or infections
- Folks prone to food sensitivities and intolerances
- People taking thyroid medications
- Those with gallbladder problems or who’ve had gallbladder removal
- Anyone with high cholesterol or triglycerides
- People taking iodine supplements
- Individuals with autoimmune disorders like lupus
- Young children under age 5
- Older adults over age 60
- Those with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease
Pregnant women, people with liver disease, transplant recipients, and anyone with a compromised immune system also have enhanced risk.
Tips to Prevent Crab-Induced Diarrhea
You can take steps to avoid diarrhea and digestion issues from crab:
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Buy crab from reputable sellers. Pick live crab or cooked crab from known, high-quality sources. Reject crab with an off smell or appearance.
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Cook thoroughly. Heat crab to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill bacteria and viruses.
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Avoid raw crab. Eating uncooked or undercooked crab greatly raises the risk of bacterial illness.
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Check local shellfish advisories. Heed any warnings for high bacteria levels or red tide in your area.
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Eat crab in moderation. Don’t overindulge. Stick to a 4-6 oz portion.
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Limit high fat accompaniments. Avoid dunking in drawn butter or pairing with high fat dipping sauces.
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Go easy on spices. Steer clear of heavily blackened or extra spicy crab dishes if you’re prone to indigestion.
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Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and non-caffeinated fluids when indulging in crab.
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Avoid crab if allergic. Don’t eat crab or shellfish if you have a known allergy.
What to Do If You Get Diarrhea from Crab
If crab gives you diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, follow these steps:
- Stop eating the suspect crab immediately.
- Drink lots of water, broth, or electrolyte beverages to prevent dehydration.
- Take an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal like Imodium if needed.
- Rest your stomach by sticking to a BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can make diarrhea worse.
- Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or persist longer than 48 hours.
- Get tested for shellfish allergy if that’s a concern.
- Take it easy on crab for a while once you recover. Reintroduce slowly.
Diarrhea is no fun. Being aware of what causes crab-related digestion issues allows you take steps to prevent problems. Pay attention to your body’s signals. And see a doctor if diarrhea is frequent or associated with worrying symptoms. With smart precautions, you can safely keep enjoying delicious crab on occasion.
Frequency of Entity Occurrences:
- Crab: 58
- Diarrhea: 40
- Shellfish: 11
- Bacteria: 7
- Virus: 4
- Allergy: 10
- Contamination: 4
- Digestive: 8
- Symptoms: 12
- Food poisoning: 3
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9 FOODS To Bring You Back To Life When You Have Diarrhea
What happens if you eat bad crab meat?
Food poisoning is a common result of ingesting bad or undercooked crab meat. There are some toxins that contaminate crabs and shellfish that can cause problems with your health regardless of how fresh the seafood is. Is This an Emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Can crab meat be consumed as part of a diabetic diet?
Yes, you can. Crab meat has mineral proteins, is rich in calcium, manganese, zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 series, which have several beneficial effects, such as lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and preventing complications resulting from diabetes.
What happens if you eat bad crab legs?
These crabs take the toxins into their own systems and their meat becomes unsafe to eat. Symptoms of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning appear within three hours after eating bad crab legs. Symptoms include numbness, loss of coordination, upset stomach and tingling in the mouth and limbs.
Can spoiled crab legs cause paralytic shellfish poisoning?
Therefore, you may become sick with paralytic shellfish poisoning even if your crab legs are not necessarily spoiled. Symptoms of this illness include nausea, a sense of floating and tingling sensations in the lips, tongue, fingers and toes. These sensations begin between a few minutes and a few hours after ingestion.