Travelling with a mild allergy like hayfever can put a damper on a perfectly good holiday, but travelling with a family member with a serious allergy can be terrifying. You’ve likely heard stories of what can happen if proper precautions aren’t taken for those with a severe nut allergy, and while accidents do happen, proper planning will ensure that your holiday is the stress-free and enjoyable experience it should be. Here are some of our top tips to help you ensure your next trip is as smooth as possible.
1.If you’re travelling abroad, make sure you understand their terminology
Here in the UK, any foods that may cause allergic reactions are highlighted in bold on the nutritional information, so make sure you find out if that is also the case in the country you’re travelling to. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with any of the words or phrases they use for the things that cause an allergic reaction in you or a family member, as well as phrases for who you should talk to in a restaurant about an allergy.
2.Make sure you have sufficient medicine
Make sure you have sufficient epi-pen supplies or medication to keep your allergy under control, and make sure you understand if anything is likely to be flagged when you pass through a border. Have a plan for what you can do if you run out of any while you are travelling.
3.Prepare translation cards
If you don’t speak the language, prepare a few cards you can hand to people to explain in their language about your needs and risks. You can do this with a tool like Google Translate, but hiring a native speaker through a translation service will ensure there can’t be any mistakes. While this is an added expense, it may take a weight off your shoulders.
4.Notify your airline(s)
If you’re travelling with allergies that may be exacerbated on a plane, make sure you notify the airline(s) you are flying with about the allergy. Familiarise yourself with their policies around allergies and contact them before you book to ensure they are capable of providing you with a safe environment.
5.Get a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor
You will need these for any adrenaline auto-injector devices and while not necessary for liquid medications, it is a good idea to have it anyway. Make sure there’s a contact number on the letter so they can contact your doctor for confirmation if there is any doubt.
6.Consider bringing your own food
Eating out is one of the great pleasures of travelling, but it’s not the only reason to travel! If you are concerned, consider renting somewhere to stay with a kitchen so you can prepare your own food to take with you on day trips and on the plane. It’s perhaps not as exciting as trying the local cuisine, but it’s certainly safer!
Travelling to or from Exeter with Allergies?
If you’re unsure on your next steps, need further advice on travelling with allergies, or are travelling to Exeter with allergies, Luxtons Pharmacy in Exeter is here to help. You can find out more about our travel clinic services here:
As a community pharmacy, people are always put first, and the Luxtons staff are always happy to offer guidance and advice. To learn more, click here.
This blog post was written on behalf of Luxtons Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.