Undiscovered shellfish allergy?

I haven't ever hed clams before last night and will not be having them again. What happened was , we had fried clam strips with dinner. I actually liked them, but about 30 min later i started getting tingly lips, then the swelling, which lead to severe stomach problems. I took Benadryl which seemed to help.
At 39 years old is it possible that I have always been allergic ?

It could have just appeared recently!!! Your body changes every 7 years I have been told. Just 4 years ago, I developed a sever allergy to shellfish (swelling lips and tongue) and just 6 months ago, my throat closed and I am NOW allergic to eggs and beef, all of which I have eaten MANY times in my life!!! You should see an allergist and be tested!! And with shellfish allergies, also be careful of Iodine.

allergies don't come with an age limit. follow up with your doctor and carry liquid benedryl always. till you've had an allergy workup, you won't know if it's the clams vs seasonings vs oil, etc.
absolutely, lots of people are allergic to foods they have never been around and when you have a reaction to it, well then you know your body cant take it.
yes - I had the same thing with flounder
yes it possible