6 Countries to be mindful of when travelling with a peanut allergy

15th August 2024

6 Countries to be mindful of when travelling with a peanut allergy

Travelling the world can be exciting, but for those who suspect peanut allergies, it can also bring about a heightened sense of caution. Different countries have varying levels of awareness and accommodation for peanut allergies, and it’s crucial to know which destinations require extra vigilance. If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, understanding the risks in certain countries can help you plan a safer and more enjoyable trip.

Thailand

Thailand is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, but peanuts are a staple ingredient in many dishes, including the famous Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) and numerous street foods. Cross-contamination in food preparation is common, making it challenging to avoid peanuts entirely.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Pad Thai (ผัดไทย)
  • Satay (สะเต๊ะ)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: ไม่มีถั่วลิสง (mai mii thua lisong)

China

Chinese cuisine often includes peanuts and peanut oil, particularly in dishes like Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) and various stir-fries. Language barriers can also pose a challenge when communicating allergy needs.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁)
  • Noodles (花生面)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: 不要花生 (bú yào huā shēng)

India

Indian food frequently uses peanuts and groundnut oil, especially in snacks and street food. Given the prevalence of peanuts in many regional dishes, it’s essential to exercise caution and communicate your allergy clearly.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Bhel Puri (भेल पुरी)
  • Chutney (शेंगदाणा चटणी)
• Translation for “no peanuts: मूंगफली नहीं (moongphali nahin)

Indonesia

Indonesian cuisine, particularly in Bali and Java, uses peanuts in a variety of dishes like Satay (Sate) and Gado-Gado. Even if peanuts aren’t listed as an ingredient, cross-contamination can occur in shared cooking spaces.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Satay (Sate)
  • Gado-Gado
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Tanpa kacang tanah

Nigeria

In Nigeria, peanuts (or groundnuts) are a common ingredient in many traditional dishes, such as Groundnut Soup. Street vendors and local restaurants may not always be aware of the severity of peanut allergies, so it’s crucial to be vigilant.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Groundnut Soup
  • Kilishi (spiced dried meat with peanuts)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Ba tare da gyada (Hausa)

Mexico

While Mexican cuisine is known for its rich flavours and variety, peanuts can be found in dishes like Mole Sauce and some street foods. Ensuring that food is peanut-free can be challenging, particularly in local markets.

• Common dishes with peanuts:
  • Mole Sauce
  • Cacahuates (peanuts in various snacks)
• Translation for “no peanuts”: Sin cacahuates

Tips for safe travel with a peanut allergy

If you’re not sure whether you have a peanut allergy, the best thing to do is to first take an allergy test to be sure. If you discover you do have a peanut allergy, you’re not alone. Approximately 1-2% of the global population is estimated to have a peanut allergy, affecting millions of people worldwide.

A peanut allergy shouldn’t mean you can’t travel. Here are our safe travel tips:

• Research before you go: Research the typical ingredients used in your destination’s cuisine and identify potential risks.
• Learn key phrases: In countries where English is not widely spoken, learn key phrases to communicate your peanut allergy. We’ve given you a head start above. 
• Carry allergy cards: Use allergy translation cards to explain your condition to restaurant staff and food vendors.
• Pack safe snacks: Bring a supply of safe, non-perishable snacks in case you have trouble finding suitable food options.
• Stay in accommodations with kitchens: To avoid cross-contamination, consider staying in places where you can prepare your own meals. This isn’t always ideal for holidays, but for longer-term travel, it can bring you peace of mind.

Take control of your peanut allergy

If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, it’s crucial to confirm it before travelling. Knowing your allergy status can help you take necessary precautions and avoid severe reactions. Our peanut allergy testing kit offers a simple, accurate, and convenient way to determine if peanuts are affecting your health.

Understanding peanut allergies can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Travel plans don’t need to be grounded to keep you safe. Why not register as a new patient or take one of our home allergy tests? Begin your path to a peanut-free life today. 

Travelling with allergies: How to tell the difference between allergies and illness

13th June 2024

Travelling with allergies: How to tell the difference between allergies and illness

Travelling is a rite of passage. It’s always an exciting adventure to experience new places rich with unique foods, spaces, flavours, textures, and cultures. However, this excitement can sometimes come with unexpected and uncomfortable health symptoms. Travelling with allergies can be frustrating, especially when you don’t realise you have them.

Understanding whether these symptoms are due to allergies or illnesses can help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here’s a guide to help you differentiate between the two.

Itchy eyes

• Allergy: When visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, you might experience itchy eyes due to pollen allergies.
• Illness: In contrast, itchy eyes in a crowded city like New Delhi could indicate an eye infection, particularly if accompanied by redness and discharge.

Stomach discomfort

• Allergy: Trying spicy street food in Thailand might cause stomach discomfort if you have a food allergy, such as to certain spices or shellfish.
• Illness: On the other hand, stomach discomfort in Mexico could be a sign of foodborne illness or traveller’s diarrhoea, especially if accompanied by fever and vomiting.

Skin rashes

• Allergy: In the Mediterranean, sun exposure combined with new skincare products might trigger a photodermatitis allergy, causing a rash.
• Illness: In tropical regions like Brazil, a skin rash might be due to an insect bite or infection, especially if it spreads or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever.

Respiratory issues

• Allergy: Visiting a city with high pollution levels, such as Beijing, can worsen respiratory allergies. Look for symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Illness: Similar symptoms in a place with a high prevalence of respiratory infections, like during flu season, might indicate an illness.

Take control of your health

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it might be a good time to consider allergy testing. Allergy tests can help determine the specific triggers causing your discomfort, allowing for targeted management strategies. Our testing methods are precise and patient-friendly, providing you with the knowledge you need to improve your quality of life.

Don’t let unexplained symptoms control your life. By identifying the underlying issues, you can embark on a path to better health, comfort, and peace of mind. Take one of our tests today or register as a new patient to take the first step towards feeling more awake and in control of your health.

Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies

13th April 2022

Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies

We all need a break sometimes. Actually, we all deserve a break. A chance to get away, put our feet up, drink in hand, and just while away the hours. For many of us, there’s nothing better than taking a trip abroad and soaking up the sun by the pool. Add in some good food and you have an amazing experience on your hands.

But travelling abroad is going to be a scary time for anyone with food allergies. Dealing with them at home is awkward enough. But put in a language barrier and it gets much worse. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out. You can still enjoy that special vacation. Here are our top tips for travelling abroad with food allergies.

Tip 1 – Plan, plan, plan

Of course, any holiday is going to require lots of planning. But when someone with a food allergy is involved, there are some extra preparations you’ll want to think about. The country you choose is obviously a huge factor, but when considering your food allergy needs, where you go is important.

You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere, far away from a hospital. So look at more populated areas. And see where the nearest hospital is to your hotel of choice. If you’re in an emergency, it helps to know where to go.

Tip 2 – Research the culture

Part of the joy of travelling abroad is taking in a new culture. But you might want to look into this ahead of time to see what their cuisine is like.

Certain countries and cultures will rely on different ingredients in their meals. Italy is known for its pasta, which means you might see a lot of egg and dairy products in their food. Coastal towns and cities might have a higher abundance of fish. This is going to affect what you can eat. Even if it’s not the main part of the meal, these ingredients might work their way in there.

Tip 3 – Consider self-catering

As great as an all-inclusive resort might be, that’s less control you have over meals. Going on a self-catering holiday gives you the chance to choose what you eat. It’s not uncommon to see families go this route so they can save costs by preparing their own breakfasts and lunches.

You can even take some food with you in your suitcase, allowing you to vet ingredients beforehand. Check ahead of time what you can and can’t take with you, especially as the UK is now out of the EU. Otherwise, you can shop while you’re there. For labels with ingredients in another language, there are some nifty apps you can get that translate automatically just by pointing your camera at the product.

Tip 4 – Crossing the language barrier

Speaking of which, the language barrier is going to be an issue. If you’re out at a restaurant, it can be hard to guarantee you or your loved one is safe. Other countries might not have as strict an approach to food allergies either.

Going back to tip 1, this will require some preparation. It will be well worth getting to grips with the language and learning some key phrases. You can also have some allergy advice cards printed off ahead of time to give out to restaurant staff. These will let them know, in their own language, what you can and can’t have.

It’s going to be a challenge. But you shouldn’t let it hold you back from enjoying yourself. There are steps you can take to have fun and be safe at the same time. So if you’re thinking about a holiday abroad, keep these tips in mind.

If you’re ever unsure about what to do, talk to an allergy specialist. They can pass on helpful advice that can keep you safe and put your mind at ease. Our team is always happy to help. Get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449 to find out more.

Do vaccinations cause allergies?

16th July 2018

Do vaccinations cause allergies?

It’s that time of year again. The children have almost finished school and summer is in full swing. With airfares cheaper than ever, you could travel to places far more exotic than the UK. But, different countries, continents, cities, and ways of life all have different risks.

For example, there are various diseases that you find across the globe. Of course, that shouldn’t put you off going on the trip of a lifetime. There are travel vaccinations that can prevent you from picking up anything nasty. They will allow you to enjoy your holiday worry-free. But some people worry about what effects vaccines can have, and we’re here to tell you not to worry.

What happens when people don’t get vaccinated?

The number of people who are questioning whether there is a relationship between getting vaccinations and developing allergies is growing. Even in the UK, this perceived danger surrounding vaccinations is leading many parents to avoid vaccinating their children.

The immune system has developed to protect us from horrible diseases, but it has its limits. The reluctance to use vaccinations has led to a failure in the herd immunity phenomenon. Outbreaks of measles and other diseases are occurring, and these can be fatal. Taking a risk like avoiding vaccination while travelling abroad can be even more dangerous. Diseases much more severe than measles lurk across the world. So, getting your travel vaccinations is a safe choice.

Will my travel vaccinations cause allergies?

There is currently no reliable evidence to suggest that vaccinations lead to allergy development. Some studies indicate that there is a link between vaccinations and allergy development in children. However, there are problems with these studies.

Firstly, a link does not mean causality. Just because two things are associated does not mean one causes the other. There could be other variables that come into play without the researcher’s knowledge. Secondly, the studies that suggest a relationship between allergies and asthma are often based on anecdotal research, observation, and don’t have representative sample sizes. When studies incorporate these factors into their design, there is no evidence for a relationship between vaccinations and allergies.

There is much more research into the relationship between vaccines and allergies, spanning decades, but scientists have found no causal link. The research shows a mixture of evidence, but ultimately, there is no reliable research to suggest vaccines cause allergies.

Should I get travel vaccinations?

In the UK, people can make up their own minds about whether they want to be vaccinated. Keep in mind that there’s no evidence to support a link between vaccinations and allergies. But, there is extensive research to prove vaccines prevent the contraction of many fatal diseases.

Getting travel vaccinations can protect you from a variety of dangerous pathogens and diseases found overseas. These include typhoid, polio, measles mumps and rubella, yellow fever, multiple types of meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, and others that can be life-changing, or even fatal. Some countries take disease spreading so seriously that without the corresponding vaccination, they won’t grant you entry.

If you have developed an allergy, and aren’t quite sure of the cause, book an appointment with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. You can develop an allergy at any time, and we are the best people to help you discover what triggers your symptoms and how best to treat them.