Allergic To Shellfish

[Greenside]

An old friend wants to visit us here in Thailand but she's very allergic to Crustacea to the extent that even food cooked in utensils or oil that has had shellfish of any kind in it can cause a major breathing problem; severe enough that you wouldn't want to have beyond the reach of a competent doctor or hospital.

The thought of travelling around the country with this ever present threat hanging over one makes me wonder if the risk is worth taking since the chances of communicating what she needs 100% for every meal seem slim. Has anyone any direct experience trying to cope with such a tricky allergy here in Asia?

[phetaroi]

An old friend wants to visit us here in Thailand but she's very allergic to Crustacea to the extent that even food cooked in utensils or oil that has had shellfish of any kind in it can cause a major breathing problem; severe enough that you wouldn't want to have beyond the reach of a competent doctor or hospital.

The thought of travelling around the country with this ever present threat hanging over one makes me wonder if the risk is worth taking since the chances of communicating what she needs 100% for every meal seem slim. Has anyone any direct experience trying to cope with such a tricky allergy here in Asia?

This is just an opinion, but I do some Thai cooking, and living here in Thailand I experience lots of Thai food. It surprises me how often I find a recipe or a dish that has dried shrimp or dried shrimp paste:

"Known as กุ้งแห้ง (kung haeng) in Thai cuisine, dried shrimp is used extensively with chilies and Thai herbs to produce chili paste and various types of curry paste. Dried shrimp is also used as is in Northeastern dishes such as somtam. Dried shrimp paste, called kapi (กะปิ), is also eaten in Thailand."

A couple of years ago I answered such a post about encountering peanuts in Thailand, and the person suggested they could just tell the restaurant not to add anything with peanuts. First, the language would be a major hurdle, second, there's a tendency to say "yes" to please even if the request is not understood.

I will be anxious to see other responses, but to me this would be a serious challenge.

[JSixpack]

Eat Western food in the countless restaurants that serve Western food.

Problem solved.

[Greenside]

A couple of years ago I answered such a post about encountering peanuts in Thailand, and the person suggested they could just tell the restaurant not to add anything with peanuts. First, the language would be a major hurdle, second, there's a tendency to say "yes" to please even if the request is not understood.

You're right - shrimp paste in almost everything.

I have seen people with dietary restrictions trying to get the point across by using a printed card to explain their problem to the staff but the tendency to say yes, even as in "Yes, we don't have anything" makes it still rather hit and miss. If you are Vegan and it's the principles at stake that's one thing, but the potentially serious health consequences make for a nerve-racking experience at every meal.

[noahvail]

I'm also allergic to shellfish, though not so badly as your friend. If she's going to be traveling around the country, chances are that she will meet up with some sort of food that has shellfish of one kind or another, and certainly the utensils have been in foods with shellfish. In the little provincial hospital in my town, they don't have any epinephrine - I've checked with the pharmacy there, with the ER, and with an OR nurse. I suggest that she bring a couple of epi-pens with her, or if they're too expensive, a couple of ampules of epinephrine with syringes. A doctor's letter and the prescription label will get her through customs with those with no problem.