Page 16 - Masala Lite Issue 165 September 2024

16 SPILL THE CHAI
What’s Your

KRYPTONITE?

Exploring the various allergies that Thai-

Indians have, and their implications.

BY AMORNRAT SIDHU

• My friends love truffle dishes, and I’ve had to accept that that is something I can’t
aving an allergy (or the lack thereof) can be a big facet of who we are; it moulds indulge in – but it’s not that big of a deal.
the way we live our life in both subtle and serious ways. Someone might respond

to an allergen with a sneeze, and another, to the same allergen, with (possibly How have you accommodated for this allergy in your daily life?
fatal) anaphylactic shock. Case in point, a colleague in school disclosed her allergy to Thankfully, it seems that I am only allergic to mushrooms, so I don’t feel like I or my palate
alcohol, and I responded with an ignorant joke: “I guess that means no Friday night wine is missing out on anything. However, I do take antihistamines with me everywhere I go,
sessions with your girls.” and fortunately, I’ve not had to resort to using an EpiPen.

She disclosed that the implications of this allergy are life-threatening: every antiseptic has SULPHUR AND PENI-VILLAIN
alcohol in it, so she can’t use alcohol swabs and couldn’t sanitise her hands with normal
hand sanitiser during the COVID-19 pandemic. She worries about needing any surgery, as MANNU MADAN
the initial step of sanitisation is dangerous for her – so much so, that her doctor prescribed Entrepreneur
that she build up her tolerance by drinking wine.
Tell us about discovering your allergy.
Those with allergies have to think about their allergen throughout their lives. It’s also
important to remember that those who have serious allergies may have a traumatic or I’m allergic to two substances, penicillin
uncomfortable experience tied to the discovery of the allergen, so we need to learn to and sulphur, and they are found in most
be mindful. antibiotics. I first found out about it after I
ingested an antibiotic when I was younger
What Exactly is An Allergy? and developed rashes on my arms.

An allergen is a protein in your body that your immune system mistakenly perceives as Have you faced any challenges because
dangerous. Thus, your body releases chemicals, such as histamine, to fight that ‘danger’ of these allergies?
off. That release of histamine causes the allergic reaction: swelling, a runny nose, rashes,
diarrhoea, etc. I’ve not had any major difficulty, as the
allergies are on my records at the hospitals
Some Unusual Allergens of Fellow Thai-Indian Community Members: I frequent. I’m not allowed to consume
the usual strong antibiotics, but milder
• Coconuts alternatives have worked just as well so far.
• Yeast If ever asked about whether or not I fear what will happen if I build a tolerance to the milder
• Steel as an accessory alternatives, I can confidently say that I’m not worried about that. Doctors have reassured
• Hair dye me that there will always be an alternative. I also have full faith in the advancements of
• Potatoes
the medical field.

Reasons Allergic Reactions Might Disappear: How have you adjusted your life because of these allergies?
I make sure to inform any new clinic I go to about this allergy, and make sure my husband
• Desensitisation: when the allergen is reintroduced to your body again and again in slight remembers this information in case of any emergency. I do take it a step further and inform
and monitored doses over time (usually in formal treatment circumstances), the body pharmacies I visit as well, even though I might not be visiting to purchase antibiotics. Other
can learn to consider the allergen as friendly.
than that, it doesn’t have a direct impact on my daily life.
• Change in Environment: when you are no longer triggered because you move to a
location that doesn’t have those allergens to bother you anymore HAD TO CHICKEN OUT
• Immune System Tolerance: your immune system produces antibodies over time to the NANDINI SEHGAL
allergen in question. This can occur naturally or medically. Brand Manager

We spoke to community members to learn what allergies they have, their visible and hidden
implications, and how they have accommodated for them in their daily lives. What allergy do you have and how did
you find out about it?

THE ONLY ROOM I’D AVOID IS I had a chicken allergy; I couldn’t digest it
A MUSHROOM no matter how it was cooked or who it was
cooked by. My stomach would just reject it
AMANPREET KALRA and I would have to go to the toilet.
Events and Concert Organiser
Co-founder and Marketing and Events How has this allergy adversely affected
Director, VSK Presents your life?
Podcast Host, Aman’s Unfiltered Chicken was my main source of protein, and
so many of my favourite dishes were made
How did you find out about your allergy? with chicken. Therefore, it got in the way
of what is a big part of my life: food. It was very hard to find substitutes for my favourite
I am severely allergic to mushrooms. Before I
found out I was allergic, I’d never tried them, dishes. For example, Khao mun gai was the hardest to give up! It was a weekly staple meal
as my mum hadn’t introduced them to for me. I tried to like the version made with mock chicken, but this comfort food was no
me. Around 2007, I was on a date with my longer ‘comfortable.’

then-boyfriend, who is now my husband. What are your everyday adjustments to this allergy?

We were at Fuji Restaurant and the miso soup had mushrooms. An hour after I drank I had to stop chicken completely for a while, and it empowered me to get more creative
the soup, I started breaking out in hives. Hives usually appear in spots, but I got huge with other proteins. Because of my circumstances, salmon has become my favourite
patches that were as long as my hand. My partner gave me an antihistamine but it didn’t source of protein. In the beginning, it was incredibly difficult, but that feeling doesn’t
help, and I was hospitalised for three days and administered steroids via an IV drip. After last. Luckily, my chicken allergy went away after about three years, and now I can enjoy
that, the fear of mushrooms consumed me, and I’ve stayed clear of them ever since.
it without any issues.

What difficulties have you faced with this allergy?
How did you find out you were no longer allergic?
It’s been challenging because there are many implications to having this allergy such as: As soon as I stopped eating chicken, my body felt so good, it was like it breathed a sigh of
• I also ensure that my kids stay clear of mushrooms. I can’t have them in the fridge or relief. During this hiatus, I was simultaneously exploring more natural forms of healing,
at home. Furthermore, I worry that they will have a similar reaction to mine, and they such as Ayurveda and homeopathy. This possibly helped re-strengthen my body and gave
are still so young. Thus, I don’t want to take the risk of an early introduction just yet. it the recuperation it needed from the allergen as well.

• I’ve had to explain to my house staff the seriousness of the situation as well and stop While I was studying in the UK, I decided to try eating chicken again. I entered a Nando’s
them from eating or bringing mushrooms, including mushroom sauces, into the house. and after that meal, my body felt fine. I kept slowly trying chicken again, and realised that
Thankfully, they are very understanding. my body had built up a tolerance for it.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 165 - SEPTEMBER 2024