Shellfish

I've been dealing with a severe shellfish allergy since I was a teenager. My first major reaction happened during a family dinner when I accidentally ate shrimp in a mixed vegetable dish. Within minutes, I felt my throat tightening, my skin got itchy, and my face started to swell up. They rushed me to the hospital, and that's when I got diagnosed with the allergy.

Living in China with this allergy can be pretty tough since shellfish is everywhere in the food. Lots of dishes have shrimp, oyster sauce, or seafood broth, even if it doesn't say so on the menu. When I eat out, I always check if a dish has shrimp, crab, or oyster sauce in it. Hot pot is particularly tricky because the broth might have seafood in it, and cross-contamination happens a lot.

Family gatherings can also be stressful. In Chinese culture, turning down food can seem rude, so I often find myself explaining my allergy to relatives to make sure they get that it’s a medical issue, not just a preference. I carry antihistamines and an emergency injector whenever I travel. While this whole experience takes a lot of attention, it’s definitely made me more careful and proactive about my health.