Korean Job Discussion Forums

Intrepid Voyage · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

On the topic of allergies...
I have an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts/walnuts/pecans/cashews/pistachios. I know where the epinephrine is and travel with diphenhydramine.

Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

There was a boy similar to you, when I went to school.

The bullies used to make him play Russian Roulette with a pack of "Revels."

Canada2Korea · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Location: Bundang (Jeongja), SK

you are not alone... i have to carry an epi-pen everywhere i go and have become increasingly paranoid since i arrived. Luckily no death yet!

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

The only time I encounter nuts in Korea is when they are part of 안주 (sidedishes with drinks) and in the supermarket otherwise they're not really a part of the cuisine.

To the best of my knowledge. I take no responsibility should you die from a rogue peanut in some kimchi chiggae somewhere.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Yes, shellfish. I mean, I've accidentally eaten a tiny bit of shrimp before and surived (that's how I found out).

When I'm out with Koreans, it's like a joke. I try to be open to foods here, so they'll order for me. I've learned to stir the dish and look around. They're always trying to sneak some clams or shrimp in there. "Oh, haha! You got us!" That's hilarious. When you're finished whooping it up could you possibly jab a chopstick through my esophogus and perform an emergency trechiotomy? That'd be ggggrrreeeeaaat. Thanks.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

yawarakaijin · Joined: 08 Aug 2006

Bee stings. Got stung on the thumb one day when i was about 15. Entire body swelled up, including my esophogus. Had to be rushed to the hospital and have carried an epi pen ever since.

Now if only there were a way to use this to my advantage............ Wink

PBEnglish · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Location: Shanghai

Yup. Just like Mr. Black Cat, I too am allergic to shellfish. Makes going out for dinner with the boss quite interesting, as she (and her brother) usually prefer to take us teachers to seafood resturants.
I've had two allergic reactions while I've been in Korea. The first one, I didn't have my epi pen, so I ended up in the hospital trying to explain what was happening(that was fun!) Lucky enough, I went home for Christmas, so I brought 3 pens back with me (I doubt I'll need three pens, but I also don't want to have to rely on my very limited Korean -again- in case something does happen)

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:43 am Post subject:

Penicillin... it really freaks me out every time I have to go to a new doctor and get antibiotics. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I make sure that before I take the antibiotics for the first time, I am sitting next to a Korean, a telephone and the emergency number. I just never seem to be able to fully trust the Korean doctors to believe me. Nothing bad has happened yet, but I am waiting with a feeling of trepidation for the day when it may.

Intrepid Voyage · Joined: 29 Oct 2007

Wow, thanks everyone. It just makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone...
I've seen peanuts on top of side dishes, but could see them to avoid them. The whole Korean attitude just scares me though. Even if I mention that I have a LIFE THREATENING allergy to nuts, it's like, "Oh, that's OK. I just put a few in..." Lol Mr. Blackcat. "Oh, just a few. That's all right, then. So I'll just be needing a quick tracheotomy." :rolleyes:

I take very small bites and wait a long time in between so that hopefully I can outrun the deadly swelling..... The adventures never stop.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

For me it's bee stings, penicillin, sulfa and cephalosporins...leaves kind of a lonely list of usable antibiotics!

tehdee · Joined: 01 Apr 2008

really happy to have stumbled across this thread as i've been wondering the same thing.

i'm coming to korea (suji) for the first time this june. like the OP i have a nut allergy... but i'm even worse off, as im also allergic to quite literally EVERYTHING from the ocean. ive never done any travelling in asia, but through eastern europe (especially coastal cities and rural areas) i've never had anything dramatic go on (knock on wood), and have simply packe da sandwhich in my day bag should i not be comfortable with the restaurant.

im really thinking ill have to by a toaster oven or something...

anyone with allergies ever get street meat?

i understand that some kimchi might have pine nuts in it too. can anyone comment on that?

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I am curious why people with life threatening allergies would come live in Korea? I see it as the same thing as driving without a seat belt, going the wrong way on the free way.

They put all kinds of stuff into the food here. Unless you prepare all your own food (and even then you might get some contamination in the ingredients) you are pretty much putting your life in someone else's hands.

I am pretty thankful that I don't have any food allergies besides lactose intolerance.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

I've been in Korea 16 months...no bee stings nor have I been given any of the antibiotics to which I am allergic.

HOWEVER, I've twice almost died in the US from antibiotics given to me by a doctor who had been told about, and had records of, my drug allergies....