Korean Job Discussion Forums

[le-paul]

This may seem like a stupid question, but has anyone ever come across a kid/korean adult with a peanut allergy?

I knew a few people back home that would literally fall down and start convulsing or choke if they were in the same room as a peanut - but Ive never heard of it here.

I was wondering becasue Ive been gorging on nuts the past week and some kids asked me for some. I refused them incase they had allergies but in retrospect, surely they would know?

Thoughts?

[jvalmer]

Was on two Eastern China routes. One Seoul-Shanghai and one Shanghai-Hong Kong. And guess what they gave you as a snack on both flight... yes... peanuts.

Peanuts allergies were virtually unheard of in Asia until a few years ago, so very little concern for it. Also, tons of Koreans used to use peanut oil for cooking and still do.

However, rates of peanut allergies have gone up in the richer Asian countries, Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Also, Asians born in North America have comparable rates of peanut allergies as the rest of the population. That's got to tell you something... I think we're just too clean.

[northway]

[le-paul]

Its very interesting.

Linking this back into the doctors are amazing thread, I think general lack of awareness/education may have something to do with this not being common knowledge.

Ive also noticed that flights give out peanuts. If one person had an allergy and refused them on the flight, they could still have anaphylactic shock because 200 other people are eating them.

Ive also never been asked in a medical facility of any description, even on the many medicals, if I have any allergies. Medical professionals here dont seem to put any emphasis on potential, negative, health implications when interviewing, specifically with regard to allergic reactions - id put that down to lack of training.
If its not being taught to doctors/nurses, its probably not being taught to Joe public either.