The Traveler’s Guide to Managing Food Allergies

For many travelers, one of the highlights of their trip, whether domestic or international travel, is trying out new dishes. But the new experience can be quite risky if you have a food allergy. Depending on how your body reacts when you eat something you’re allergic to, it can be bothersome or potentially deadly. You might develop a rash, itching, swelling around the eyes, swelling of the tongue, runny nose, or sneezing. In more extreme scenarios, allergic reactions can cause bloody stools, fainting, dropping of blood pressure, or uterine contractions.

Even if you had a minor reaction, having an allergy attack in a different place can be stressful for you and your travel companions. That said, ensure you plan out your trip properly. Consider these things when traveling so you can manage your food allergies and have a pleasant trip.

Carry a Travel Medical Kit

Before you travel, make sure to prepare a travel medical kit that includes your prescriptions, allergy, and over-the-counter medicines. Make sure to pack sufficient amounts to last you the entire trip along with a few extras in case you encounter some travel delays. It’s also a good idea to ask your doctor about the generic names of your allergy medicines. it will be easier to purchase what you need as the pharmacy at your travel destination might not carry the same brand names. For your convenience, consider ordering all your medicines from an online drugstore days before your trip.  

If your doctor prescribed an emergency medication for you like an antihistamine or epinephrine, remember to carry a couple of the medications with you at all times. Don’t leave them in your hotel or check-in luggage. This way, you’re always prepared in case you consume something you’re allergic to.

Read Food Labels

One of the best ways you can manage your food allergies while traveling is to always read the food labels of packaged foods. However, some food labels can be confusing, which might put you at risk of facing an allergic reaction. That said, make sure you understand how to identify food allergens on labels.

Sometimes, the allergen is included in the ingredient name. For example, “milk” is listed as part of the ingredient, “buttermilk” or “nut” in “peanut”. The food allergen can also be indicated following the ingredient name, such as “flour (wheat)”, “almond (nut)”, or “whey (milk)”. On the other hand, some labels can have a statement next to the ingredients list following the words, “may contain”. This only indicates the potential presence of the allergen but is not necessarily due to cross-contact during manufacturing. It’s up to the food manufacturer to note if the food was prepared in a facility that also uses certain allergens. That said, read carefully the food ingredients and label of a product before consuming it.

If you’ll be visiting a foreign country, bring a list of all your food allergies with translations into the local language of the place you’ll be traveling. You can also download a translation app on your smartphone so you can quickly look up any foreign word on the food label.

Inform Restaurant Staff About Your Allergies

When you’re traveling, chances are you’ll be dining out more frequently than preparing your food for reasons like your accommodation might not have a kitchen you can work on or will be spending more time sightseeing. As such, it’s hard to be certain what ingredients will be used in the dish as well as how it will be prepared.

To ensure you won’t get any allergic reaction from what you eat, let the restaurant’s manager or chef know about your food allergy before you order anything. Bring a list of all your food allergies and request if you can have your food prepared without food allergens. Take note that this is a good practice to do no matter where you’re eating, even if it’s a fast food place or a coffee shop. Be sure to ask questions before choosing what to eat or drink. If you’re traveling to a different country, make sure the list is translated into their local language.

Prepare an Allergy Response Plan

If you have a life-threatening food allergy, it’s a good idea to have an emergency action plan before you travel. Essentially, it should provide details like your name, what food you’re allergic to, the drugs you’re taking, and a list of symptoms of anaphylaxis. Additionally, share the allergy emergency plan with your travel companion. This way, they can assist you in case of an allergy emergency.

Even if you have a food allergy, you can still try out new dishes when traveling. You just need to be more cautious and follow the recommendations mentioned here so you can reduce the risk of getting an allergic reaction while on a trip. More importantly, consult your doctor before your trip and ask how you can prevent an allergic reaction while traveling. This way, you can have a safe and pleasant experience.