How to conquer your allergy anxieties before you go on holiday

24th May 2023

How to conquer your allergy anxieties before you go on holiday

It’s around that time of year when many of us are thinking about the summer. In particular, escaping the often dreary British Isles for somewhere much sunnier. Over the coming months, we’re sure many of you will be dusting off the suitcases and getting ready to head abroad. Have an ice cream for us.

But while travelling is stressful for practically everyone, there is a certain group for whom it is anxiety-inducing. You may be one of them. Yes, you might have an allergy, and stepping outside of your comfort zone means having to navigate any potential reactions. It can be scary – especially with life-threatening food allergies – but we don’t want you to worry. Here’s how you can handle your holiday allergy anxieties every step of the way.

Before your flight

The more prepared you are, the more you can put your mind at ease. You can always look up allergy information before you leave. There are two main places to look for this: on the airport website and on your airline’s website. Both may have different policies.

If you have any questions, you could even reach out to them ahead of time to make them aware of your allergies and ask how best to navigate them. The airline in particular might be one to look into more, as you will be stuck in the air for hours and you don’t want an allergic reaction thousands of feet in the sky.

Other than that, prepare yourself in any way you can. Make sure you have all the medication you need and the appropriate paperwork to get it through customs. Build up an allergy kit if you don’t already have one. When you have it all ready in front of you, it can help calm you down.

At the airport

This is where you can put some of your pre-flight research into action. You should know how the airport handles allergies and navigate them as you can. For example, by looking at their website ahead of time, you can see what food options are available while you wait for your flight. Choose something you know you’ll be okay with. Preferably from a chain because they should have similar food preparation procedures.

While you’re at the airport, let staff know about your allergies. Key people to tell would be the airline representative at check-in and the person checking your boarding pass as you board the plane. These will be as close to direct contact as you can get before you set off. If you can prepare them, they can hopefully prepare themselves.

In the air

You should also let cabin crew know when you’re in the air so they can retrieve any allergy advice, if they have any. To avoid any mistakes, bring your own snacks on the plane. You likely won’t be able to get them through customs, so buy them while you’re at the airport. There should be plenty of time to do your due diligence and check ingredients before you set off.

In the case of emergencies, have someone familiar with the medication. If you have an anaphylactic shock, you want someone who can administer your epinephrine shot in the case you can’t do it yourself. If you’re flying with someone you know, it can be them. But if you’re flying solo, ask the cabin crew if they have anyone trained to do it. In the event they don’t, you can always teach them.

None of this should be a burden on your shoulder, but it’s part of living with a food allergy. But that doesn’t mean your allergy anxieties have to control you and stop you from having a holiday. Be prepared, do your research, and go enjoy the sun for a week or two!

For all of your allergy concerns – including advice on how to handle your allergies abroad – reach out to our team. Our allergists are always more than happy to help. Register as a new patient today or call us on 02031 433 449.

Three tips for flying with an allergy

31st August 2022

Three tips for flying with an allergy

We’re now in the peak of holiday season. Many people are jetting off to faraway destinations to get some summer sun, sea, and relaxation. But travelling can be a stressful time. Navigating a busy airport, trying to stay under the luggage limit, not losing your passport. There’s a lot to worry about. And this stress and worry is only magnified if you struggle with an allergy.

For allergy sufferers, flights can bring a lot of anxiety. You’re confined for hours in a small space with little to no control over what food or environmental allergens you might be exposed to. And you just need to look at the stats. 9% of peanut allergy sufferers report experiencing a reaction on a flight.

But the last thing you want is for your allergies to prevent you from seeing the world. So whether you’ve got a holiday coming up soon, or want some reassurance before booking your next getaway, here’s our advice for flying with an allergy.

Do your research

A lot of the work to allergy-proof your trip should be done before you even step foot on the plane. Or even in the airport! Every airline will have their own policy on food allergies. So if you’re a sufferer, you’re going to want to do your research ahead of time.

Have a read of your chosen airline’s policies and make sure you feel comfortable with the protections they have in place. If you have any questions or want clarification, get in touch with them well in advance, preferably before confirming your booking. 

And if you’re not comfortable with what you read, explore other providers and airlines until you find one that meets your needs and expectations. It’s always better to spend a little extra time planning your trip than an eight-hour flight spent in panic mode. Also worth noting is that the airline you book through might not always be the one providing or managing the plane. So a few extra calls might be needed to confirm you’ll be good to go. 

Communicate, communicate, communicate

To make your journey as smooth as possible, you’re going to have to communicate with airport and airline staff. A lot. Perhaps you’ve requested to sit in a particular part of the plane or to board early. Even if you’ve arranged this ahead of time, you might want to get to the airport in good time just to confirm that the airline is aware of and ready to accommodate your requests.

You also can’t be too careful. So communicate with staff about your allergy at every stage of your journey. Before and during boarding, while ordering any food, before eating it, or if you start to feel any tingles or sniffles coming on. This way, you can reduce your risk of experiencing a reaction mid-flight. 

Try not to worry about repeating yourself or being demanding of staff. The priority is making you as comfortable and safe as possible for the duration of your flight. 

Keep your allergy emergency kit close 

We broke down what to include in your allergy emergency kit here. But when it comes to flying specifically, you’re going to want to keep it as close as possible. Your medications are no use to you from the luggage hold, so everything you need should stay in your hand luggage. 

Always bring more than you think you’ll need. You never know when you’ll be hit with a delay or lost luggage. And let anyone you’re travelling with – or cabin crew if you’re alone – know where your medications are and what you might need, just in case you experience a severe reaction. Also, keep medications in their original packaging where possible. This could help to reduce any dramas during airport security or bag checks.

Flying can be an exciting time. You’ve been looking forward to your holiday for months and the time has finally come. But as an allergy sufferer, you have a few extra things to think about in the lead-up. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable flight every time.

If you have any questions about your allergies or intolerances, or what they mean for travelling, feel free to talk to one of our allergists today. Just call us on 02031 433 449, or register as a new patient.