No! No Epi pen…
Here is a link to link to the time I nearly died, for the third time. I’m not on number 4
forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopi … ilit=+died
For some protein-related (and other) allergies, you might want to ask for an Antihistaminic: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihistaminic
When my wife has had problems with aspirin/acetaminophen/ibuprophen or some other stuff (contact with certain vegetables makes her skin turn red and itch like crazy, but not always), we usually try to give her some kind of antihistaminic in the form of pills/soluble powder. It usually works, alleviating the symptoms very fast (in about 10-15 minutes, which, if not a mortal allergy, often does the deed). They’re easier to come by than the epi pens.
FYI - Epipen Jr prescription available at 長庚醫院. $3000NT cash price. We went to the Taipei branch. We saw a children’s allergy and asthma specialist Dr. 黃璟隆. I am assuming that you can get the adult version as well at the hospital through a specialist.
Please PM me with full contact info. I live in the deep south so i can’t check out your info in person.
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I know how you feel. I spent a year in China and my co-workers did not understand why I was allergic to peanuts. They have never heard of it and I’ve never heard of anything not understanding a peanut allergy.
To answer the OP’s question. A lot of peanut that I have come across is noticeable to the naked eye. Like many posters have said mostly night market treats will be sprinkled with peanut “dust” and a lot of shaved ice places will have peanuts as an option.
I do suggest getting acquainted with the words hua shen花生 and guo ming過敏 though. It’ll save a life.
I know this original post is old now. I wonder how Miffy’s son is coping with his allergy in Taiwan? We’re moving to Taiwan soon and our eldest carries an epi-pen for his peanut allergy. Are adrenalin auto-injectors more widely available in Taiwan now? What is the prevalence of peanuts and peanut oil in local dishes? We’re from the UK where there is a shortage of epi-pens at the moment. I wonder if that is a worldwide issue?
Epipen price, unsurprisingly, went up this year. It is more like $4500 per 0.3 injector. I still get two at Chung Gung Memorial Hospital annually but have yet to use one.
I don’t think that peanut oil is commonly used in Taiwan. Perhaps it is because peanut oil is more expensive than regular soybean oil. As for peanuts itself, it is usually added on later but sometimes steamed peanuts can be found at street vendors in the winter. I would avoid Thai foods, spring rolls at the night markets, rice/peanut drink at breakfast shops, toasted sandwich shops, sha cha sauce at hot pot restaurants, etc.
My son has avoided anything serious in Taiwan by informing restaurants of his allergies. He doesn’t feel too restricted by his food allergies. Nonetheless, it is still stressful at times when people do not understand or cannot relate.
Rosie, Good luck with your move to Taiwan!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
Pleased to hear that you have managed to avoid exposure and having to use your epi-pens. I will make sure to bring two or more with us if I can get them through customs.
Did you have to register with a hospital rather than a doctor to get epi-pens?
I was surprised to be able to buy them from a chemist in Spain just by showing our soon to expire ones! They were only 45 euros!
Getting the Epipens through customs was easy. There was no need to declare. I would recommend having a doctors note and your prescription handy, just in case.
You can get an Epipen for $45 euros? Awesome! I will keep that in mind when we travel to Europe next. I never thought to ask the chemist. It’s frightfully expensive in the US.
You will need to visit a doctor to get an Epipen prescription which you can fill at the larger hospitals. You cannot get it over the counter.
Best luck on your move!
Is that offer still open? I just came off a year of total vegetarianism because the frigging restaurant didn’t wash the pan well.
My immune system went totally nuts and I couldn’t eat any animal protien at all. One nibble hives or pins and needles developed just before the breathing issue. It was a nightmare. Western medicine, taking malaria drugs failed me. Or I stopped after reading the risks. I choose the government insurance Chinese medicine option to slowly “reset” my immune system.
Warning to all, don’t take allergies lightly here. Even going to the hospital may not save you. Pm me for any questions.
TaiwananSteve, if you are still here. Please contact me.
Hello. After turning pescatarian (but 90% of my diet is vegan since I only eat fish once a week outside or twice a week and usually with no eggs and milk, apart for a few sweets I eat during the week which are vegetarian but not vegan) I got allergic to lots of stuff which I was not allergic to before since a few months. I am now looking for a professional doctor who has time to reply to my questions and test my skin and maybe blood well without paying too much but normal medium pay.
How can I contact you?