Food Allergy Dammit! (Shrimp?)

[inasia]

I've always loved the food all across Asia. I have a special fondness for the street food of Thailand. So I'm not at all happy that I seem to have developed an allergy - to shrimp it seems.

Over a year ago, I was enjoying a Thai bbq with friends, and I noticed that my right arm had turned a different colour from my left arm.

It always starts as tiny red spots under the skin. Always right arm and body. They turn into blotches after a couple of days - more noticeable when I'm hot (presumably as more blood moves into blood vessels near the surface of my skin). Eventually, they seem to work their way to the surface, and eventually disappear. I feel no other symptoms - just ugly spots.

When it first started happening it wasn't very consistent, and difficult to determine the cause. I could eat the same dish a few days later, with no ill effects second time around. But the spots were much more concentrated when it happened - close together, so my whole arm seemed red.

Nowadays, I can trigger it consistently by eating Somtam with dried shrimps. Possibly other foods too that have shrimp. But fewer spots nowadays. (still unsightly though).

I don't suppose there's anything I can do about it? Other than avoiding dried shrimps? Or popping an antihistamine or something? I never take tablets anyway, and I rarely have health problems apart from the occasional stomach upset when I've been away from Thailand for too long - and get back into the food.

I don't suppose there's a cure or treatment for an allergy?

[dumball]

Any shell fish can give you problems if not properly cooked in boiling water , this method kills off bacteria , I do not like the way some Thai cook(?) thiers , shrimp should be put into boiling water for 3 minutes then removed and drained , not put in water then boiled , drying shrimp is not a healthy method .

[FBN]

It is not usual to have signs of an allergic reaction confined to one spot only without any other area affected but if you are avble to "trigger" this reaction by having shrimp, I suppose the link is established.

The signs now, however, seem to get less rather than worse which is more confusing.

I would suggest cutting out shrimp for a while and try again; taking medication for this allergy could possibly be a case of the cure being worse than the disease.

[Sheryl]

in the case of somtam, unless specifically instructed otherwise (and soemtimes even then..) they also put in pieces of a type of small uncooked crab which is a common source of allergy.

if this seems to happen more with somtam than with other foods, might be the actuial culprit rather than the dried shrimp, which are many, many dishes.

Could test it out by telling them not to put in the "pala" and watching carefully that they don't, then see if you recat.

[mizzi39]

in the case of somtam, unless specifically instructed otherwise (and soemtimes even then..) they also put in pieces of a type of small uncooked crab which is a common source of allergy.

if this seems to happen more with somtam than with other foods, might be the actuial culprit rather than the dried shrimp, which are many, many dishes.

Could test it out by telling them not to put in the "pala" and watching carefully that they don't, then see if you recat.

I live in issan and eat somtam about once a week. I only like "tomthai" (pet mak mak) which does not have the crab in it. I think the the style with the crab is Lao influenced. You can simply ask for "tomthai" minus the dried shrimp.

[Sheryl]

in the case of somtam, unless specifically instructed otherwise (and soemtimes even then..) they also put in pieces of a type of small uncooked crab which is a common source of allergy.

if this seems to happen more with somtam than with other foods, might be the actuial culprit rather than the dried shrimp, which are many, many dishes.

Could test it out by telling them not to put in the "pala" and watching carefully that they don't, then see if you recat.

I live in issan and eat somtam about once a week. I only like "tomthai" (pet mak mak) which does not have the crab in it. I think the the style with the crab is Lao influenced. You can simply ask for "tomthai" minus the dried shrimp.

Somtham thai everywhere I've ever seen (and I've lived here several decades, eating somtam throughout!) contains the crab. I know because I'm vegatrarian and loathe the taste of it, can detect even the smallest amount, so I watch my som tam preperation like a hawk! They are so used to adding both the crab and the shrimp that they will reflexively do so even when clearly told to make it jai. I've never seen a som tom stall that didn't have the crab.

Unless there is something unusual in the customs where you are, you have probably been eating small bits of the crab all along without knowing it.

[mizzi39]

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<br>in the case of somtam, unless specifically instructed otherwise (and soemtimes even then..) they also put in pieces of a type of small uncooked crab which is a common source of allergy.<br><br>if this seems to happen more with somtam than with other foods, might be the actuial culprit rather than the dried shrimp, which are many, many dishes.<br><br>Could test it out by telling them not to put in the "pala" and watching carefully that they don't, then see if you recat.<br>

<br><br>I live in issan and eat somtam about once a week. I only like "tomthai" (pet mak mak) which does not have the crab in it. I think the the style with the crab is Lao influenced. You can simply ask for "tomthai" minus the dried shrimp.<br>

<br><br>Somtham thai everywhere I've ever seen (and I've lived here several decades, eating somtam throughout!) contains the crab. I know because I'm vegatrarian and loathe the taste of it, can detect even the smallest amount, so I watch my som tam preperation like a hawk! They are so used to adding both the crab and the shrimp that they will reflexively do so even when clearly told to make it <i>jai.</i> I've never seen a som tom stall that didn't have the crab.<br><br>Unless there is something unusual in the customs where you are, you have probably been eating small bits of the crab all along without knowing it.<br>

<br><br>There are three different variations of som tam (and possibly more). Most of your better som tam shops in issan use a separate mortar and pestle to prepare each variety. Many Thais do not like the crab, my wife being one of them.<br><br><b>Som tam pu </b>has the salted black crab and IS Lao influenced according to my mother in law. <b>Som tam Thai </b>which is made with peanuts, dried shrimp, palm sugar, lime. and tomato.<b> Som tam plara</b> which is made with fish, fish sauce, green beans, and eggplant, and of course all are made with plenty of chillies according to ones tolerance.<br><br>I only like Som tam Thai which is a "watered down" version of Som tam pu. I don't even like a lot of dried shrimp, and the black crab even little pieces would be very easy to spot, since it would throw off the color of tom Thai. Fortunately, I have never seen a piece of crab in my som tam. If I did, it would be sent back. Cheers!

[raro]

I get physically sick from the slightest traces of Plara in the air. Usually just a bit sick and when I walk away in fresh air it is ok. However, I just had some sort of attack that knocked me completely off. Threw up, had big difficulties to breathe and when trying to drink some water, I spat it out instantly. Never had a reaction that severe...mind you from walking by a plate with Plara 1m away. The entire attack lasted well over 30 minutes, almost an hour.

[tropo]

That's life. If you're going to develop an allergy it will be to your favourite foods and ones you eat often.

My wife has developed an allergy to crab, shellfish, shrimp, pepper (including bell peppers) and chilli. All her favourite foods. She develops itchy hives (mainly on her torso) if she eats these foods. Recently we've discovered that she gets queazy and throws up after eating raw salmon. Wasabi is another no-no.

If someone can come up with a cure we would really appreciate it.

Looking on the bright side - shrimp, crabs and shellfish are not healthy food.

[CaptHaddock]

Looking on the bright side - shrimp, crabs and shellfish are not healthy food.

Shrimp and squid have high levels of cholesterol, but what's wrong with crab and shellfish? I thought they were part of what makes the Japanese diet so healthy.

[tropo]

Looking on the bright side - shrimp, crabs and shellfish are not healthy food.

Shrimp and squid have high levels of cholesterol, but what's wrong with crab and shellfish? I thought they were part of what makes the Japanese diet so healthy.

Raw salmon is good because of the fish oils it provides, but shellfish are filter feeders and crabs are bottom feeders. If a creature eats garbage how healthy can it be?

[tutsiwarrior]

I find that aversion to food is cyclical and that sometimes I can only eat stir fried vegetables with either chicken breast or tofu and nothing else...my favorite foods like pork loin, roasted pork ribs and processed meats like salami and sausages come and go and sometimes I can't even stand the smell...

I wouldn't call them allergies as there is no physical reaction involved but the aversion is significant...and then the next day I'm hooking down the sausages and bacon down like no tomorrow...maybe a nitrite intolerance?

[tropo]

I wouldn't call them allergies as there is no physical reaction involved but the aversion is significant...and then the next day I'm hooking down the sausages and bacon down like no tomorrow...maybe a nitrite intolerance?

With a bit of luck (for your health) you may develop an allergy to this processed rubbish.

[Naam]

Looking on the bright side - shrimp, crabs and shellfish are not healthy food.

Shrimp and squid have high levels of cholesterol, but what's wrong with crab and shellfish? I thought they were part of what makes the Japanese diet so healthy.

Raw salmon is good because of the fish oils it provides, but shellfish are filter feeders and crabs are bottom feeders. If a creature eats garbage how healthy can it be?

strange logic! if a creature eats shit like pigs do quite often "how healthy can it be?"

[tutsiwarrior]

I wouldn't call them allergies as there is no physical reaction involved but the aversion is significant...and then the next day I'm hooking down the sausages and bacon down like no tomorrow...maybe a nitrite intolerance?

With a bit of luck (for your health) you may develop an allergy to this processed rubbish.

well...ribs, sausage and bacon ain't too bad in moderation but I wouldn't want to base my diet on it...just like burgers and pizza...

[tropo]

Looking on the bright side - shrimp, crabs and shellfish are not healthy food.

Shrimp and squid have high levels of cholesterol, but what's wrong with crab and shellfish? I thought they were part of what makes the Japanese diet so healthy.

Raw salmon is good because of the fish oils it provides, but shellfish are filter feeders and crabs are bottom feeders. If a creature eats garbage how healthy can it be?

strange logic! if a creature eats shit like pigs do quite often "how healthy can it be?"

That's even stranger logic. How can you judge one unhealthy food by comparing it to another unhealthy food. I have never eaten pork for the very reason you mention above.

You are what you eat - so are the animals.

[donim]

On 7/12/2010 at 4:41 PM, Sheryl said:

in the case of somtam, unless specifically instructed otherwise (and soemtimes even then..) they also put in pieces of a type of small uncooked crab which is a common source of allergy.

if this seems to happen more with somtam than with other foods, might be the actuial culprit rather than the dried shrimp, which are many, many dishes.

Could test it out by telling them not to put in the "pala" and watching carefully that they don't, then see if you recat.

It is puu (crab) and pala (pla ra) is fermented fish.

If he can eat oysters, then try order somtum hoydong,

in which they don't put crab inside. (here, central thai)

Somtum thai, they tend to put in dried shrimps,

and nuts which I have to look out for as my missus can't

eat these.

 

Another tum which I advice is somtum taew (ถั่ว/long bean-peas ) 

and or gai keim (ไข่เค็ม/salted egg).

 

Order with the note (ไม่มี ปลาร้า และ ปู / Mai mee plara lea puu)

the best, watch and when them tend to spoon a crab or the fermented fish

say mai mai krab/ka.

 

I personally am allergic for some fish (swollen itchy lips) 

but I can eat tum plara and fried tilapia without issues.