Peanut Allergy

[Tiberius 0]

I'm trying to figure out if I'll be able to eat other than fruit and canned food if I visit Thailand. Pattaya, in particular. As the tile implies, I'm allergic to peanuts. Severe enough that small bits do some unpleasant and, occasionally, life threatening things.

 

I don't eat in Thai restaurants, as most menu items seem to contain the toxin in solid, sauce, or oil form. So, I'm wodering, am I out of my mind to consider even going into the country? Are there restaurants where I can have relative certainty that the menu items don't contain peanut or peanut products, intentionally or otherwise.

 

And, yes, I've already heard what great food I miss out on by not being able to eat such things. But, the upside is missing out on being dead. I also have heard that the concept of a peanut allergy is almost beyond comprehension in most of Asia, Thailand, in particular.

 

Thoughts? Suggestions? Anyone?

[Dr.Winston O'Boogie 1]

Is it just peanuts or nuts in general? To be honest it can be a tough one to get what you order under the best of circumstances and asking for something as specific as no peanut products is a bit of a gamble, even if you manage to make yourself understood. Just not worth the risk IMO. Do you like KFC and hamburgers?

[Bazle 1,514]

How about renting an apartment and doing your own cooking?

[Emil 0]

Pattaya has Subway, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, A&W, Sizzler and many seafood places. Cookong in your own room or going to the large markets like Carrefour,Big C and Topps you can select your own cut of meat/seafood and have them cook it for you for free.

[Tiberius 0]

Thanks for the replies.

 

I've never had a specific reation to other nuts, although I generally avoid them. Occasional hints from other legumes that perhaps the allergist I saw years ago was right, and I should think about avoiding them. But, nothing of consequence.

 

Peanuts are the only real issue.

 

I like burgers, don't eat too often in KFCs due to the phenominal grease load, and have no objection to doing my own cooking.

 

From the last post, it looks like there are a number of western restaurants and food stores where peanut contamination might be avoided.

 

That, I think is my best hope. Korean, Japanese, and most Chinese restaurants have not proven to be an issue, either, althouigh it was a Chinese restaurant that last put me in the hospital.

 

As I try to find the will to give Thailand a try, it occured to me that larger cities like Bangkok and areas with heavy western presence like Pattaya, might be the best bet.

 

I suspect I would want to avoid travel to the smaller towns and villages altogether.

[biggles 509]

As Dr WOB says, probably your biggest problem will be communication with restaurant/shop staff. apart from their lack of english skills which can lead to misunderstandings, thais will often say what sounds good, rather than admit they dont know. its easier to say "doesnt have peanuts sir" than to admit you have no idea or to go and ask someone who might know the real situation. My grandson had a peanut allergy for the first four years of his life, he has grown out of it apparently but son had some very scary trips to the hospital and used to carry a special injector in case of an attack. Its a very serious problem for many people.

[jacko 8,866]

As Dr WOB says, probably your biggest problem will be communication with restaurant/shop staff. apart from their lack of english skills which can lead to misunderstandings, thais will often say what sounds good, rather than admit they dont know. its easier to say "doesnt have peanuts sir" than to admit you have no idea or to go and ask someone who might know the real situation. My grandson had a peanut allergy for the first four years of his life, he has grown out of it apparently but son had some very scary trips to the hospital and used to carry a special injector in case of an attack. Its a very serious problem for many people.

Waste of time trying to get messages to the cooking staff via the serving staff, the communication seems to break down all too frequently.

 

The risk factor is just too high for a simple slip up to hit you.

 

But don't miss out on the chance of a great holiday.......

Get a serviced apartment, or not hotel room, so that you can take care of some meals yourself.

USA fast food outlets are commonplace, so you may have to accept a grease content.

There are also many English pub style places where peanuts will not be a component, repetative fayre but possible.

Other nationalities also well represented, Italian, French, etc.....

 

You control the allergy, not the other way round...... go for it.

Edited December 26, 2009 by jacko

[baht_miser 9]

Maybe you could get someone in your hotel to write a card in Thai that you can not eat anything containing peanuts or even cooked in peanut oil. If they understand the seriousness of the situation, maybe you will find somewhere you can enjoy the food.

[torrenova 649]

Thai cooking does not usually involve peanut oil which is a favourite of Indonesia but nuts and therefore trace amounts are "around" the kitchen and used in a number of dishes.

 

Cooking your own food is an option as, is I suspect, eating in western restaurants. But beware then that the danger exists as most will cook Thai food as well, if not well.

[Sailfast 503]

Aside from the obvious, like fresh fruit, etc. I would not, absolutely not, no way, no how, trust restaurant staff to understand the seriousness of your situation. Even if they do, I would not trust them to pass on the proper information to the kitchen. You could end up dead.

 

Go, enjoy yourself but eat in your room or do more research by talking to management once you get there and then decide for yourself if you want to risk certain places. Also, there are some cooking schools you might want to try. At least you would get a couple of good meals that you where 100% sure where safe.

 

The Residence Garden restaurant does a pretty good job of understanding my dietary requirements. That being said, it takes a few days to break in some of the wait staff. I am simply a vegetarian, but, they bring in some special foods for me. Anyway, if they screw up my food I'm not dead, so it's really not the same.

 

Also, each room at the Res. Garden has a kitchen and fridge.

[js007 795]

I assume you carry around an EpiPen or something similar? Anaphylactic shock can be serious. I get that once in a while, but no one has ever figured out what I'm allergic to. I just take my chances and try to eat stuff I've eaten in the past without trouble. So far, I've never had trouble in Thailand. Some Japanese food just about did me in once, though.

 

Anyway, I wouldn't let a peanut allergy stop me from traveling. If necessary, you could always eat at McDonalds or someplace like that. It wouldn't kill you (probably not).

[seeker 0]

get a room with a kitchen i aint met a thai bird who dosent cook and you get to eat her for dessert

[Stumpdog 11]

Hi, I brought someone over with me who has peanut allergy and they were fine. She travels with epi pens but never needed to use them. We got a Thai sign saying no peanuts and gave it to people in restaurants. And we usually tried to give it to a manager.

 

Peanut allergy amongst Thais is almost unheard of so they are not tuned in to this. If I can find the Thai translation I will post it for you.

 

On the whole though there is no reason why you can not eat well and stay healthy. You just have to take precautions. We ate some Thai food and a lot of nice quality western food.

[Stumpdog 11]

Here you go, I believe this is the warning in Thai.

 

Can some of the Thai speakers confirm?

 

คนนี้เป็นโรคแพ้ถั่ว ถ้ากินแม้แต่นิดเดียว อาจจะ ทำให้ป่วยหนัก

[BigDUSA 71]

get a room with a kitchen i aint met a thai bird who dosent cook and you get to eat her for dessert

 

Yensabai Condo has large studio with kitchenette. www.pattayaretaroom.com

[Firepole 181]

Bring more than one Epipen or Twinjet(if that's your savior). Enough for a worst case scenario where you react more than once during your stay. Look into Twinjet if you might need more than one dose during a reaction. You need to talk with an M.D. for more specifics. Carry a copy of your original prescription with your meds. Less of a chance anything will be confiscated(although, highly UNlikely) Don't go by what I nor anyone else here, as helpful as we'd like to be, says. It's your life. Consult with an M.D.

 

Ask your Dr. to write up, IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, your condition and the treatment for the condition in case you react. Ask someone here to translate it into Thai with the words "Give to Doctor at Hospital" at the top in big letters and carry the translation with you(you get the idea). I would have to believe(not positive though) that even Thai doctors are familiar with anaphylaxis with all the insects around. I don't know if the Thai's are familiar with Medic Alert tags. They may just think it's an ugly piece of jewelery. If you wear one don't bet your life on it being recognized, if it's even noticed, for what it is.

 

If you don't already know them, learn to recognize the early signs of anaphylaxis. Dose yourself right away and get to the hospital with the injector and your translated note in hand. Confirm this with your Dr but even if you're wrong a single dose of adrenaline shouldn't fuck you up too bad. Again, CONFIRM WITH YOUR DR. If you dose you should still go to the hospital even if you feel fine. You WILL need monitoring.

 

MAKE SURE YOU'RE VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHATEVER DEVICE YOU USE TO ADMINISTER YOUR MEDICATION.

 

When you get to Pattaya spend the money and consult with someone like Dr Belen. Last I heard she was on 2nd Road near Soi 6. I could be wrong. Use the search feature or post on the forum for updated info. She's a Swiss(I think) doctor who could probably give you info or suggestions on where to go, etc... if you react. If you do that get a prescription from her for an injector or inhaler should you need one.

 

Find out where to get more injectors if you use or lose what you bring, i.e. Boots Pharmacy or at a hospital pharmacy. Make sure it's the "Adult dosage" version(.3mg). Check expiration date. Even one out of date is better than nothing at all.

 

Fresh fruit in the morning. Buy cereal and milk and keep it in your refrigerator. Breakfast covered.

 

Lunch or dinner. Prepare it yourself if you can. Plenty of grocery stores to stock up. Find places where you can watch the food prep, i.e. Captain's Table BBQ at the Residence Garden. A "pizza only" place like the one on Soi Diana near Soi LK Metro might work. No matter where you eat you should assume that there were peanuts in the wok just before your food was cooked. Look at the entire menu and if there's even the slightest hint that anything contains peanut products walk away.

 

Don't bother trying to explain your condition or concerns to anyone in a restaurant. No matter how much they say they do they won't understand and, I assure you, they won't care unless you die before you pay. Even then, if they can get their hands in your pockets before your "he dlunk mak mak" ass is hauled away they'll be happy but still won't care.

 

You will NOT see any signs indicating that peanut products were used, or not used, in food prep. Even if you did see it you shouldn't trust it. TIT. Some cooking oils might be a blend, with pnut oil in it without the preparer even knowing it. Avoid the smoke from the cooking woks/griddles of street vendors if you're highly reactive.

 

As odd as it might sound, if you're fucking around with a Thai girl make sure she wasn't eating peanuts before you stick your tongue down her throat. Think about it.

 

All common sense stuff.

 

You can do a trip safely as long as you prepare for any and all contingencies.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Firepole