Summmer Holiday Tips with Top Allergy Doctor José Costa
Life with food allergies can be a huge challenge and going on holiday should be a time for well-deserved relaxation. For those living with food allergies, the worry can make it quite the opposite, but it doesn’t have to take the enjoyment out of that precious downtime we all need.
Preparation is everything, and top allergy doctor, José Costa, is here with everything you need to know to help make your holiday allergy-safe and stress-free – especially if you are travelling with a young family with allergies.
- Plan ahead with your destination and accommodation
Research the areas you would like to stay in and look for hotels or resorts located near a hospital or adequate medical services that can treat food allergies.
Some hotels and resorts also have in-house doctors who might be able to help you. It’s definitely worth contacting the hotel to ask about this, their expertise with allergies, and what medication they have on site.
All-inclusive accommodation tends to be more cost-effective and convenient – especially for families, however it’s important to ensure upfront whether the hotel can safely cater for your dietary requirements so you feel confident and can enjoy your stay. Many resorts now offer a range of top-14 allergen-free food options, but if you are managing a severe allergy, it might be worth considering self-catering accommodation so you can have peace of mind preparing your own food.
If you do decide on an all-inclusive hotel, be sure to liaise directly with a named member of staff ahead of your holiday and make them your point of contact, briefing the kitchen on your dietary requirements and guiding you on arrival and throughout your stay to ensure your holiday is allergy-safe, relaxed and stress-free.
Whether you opt for all-inclusive or self-catering, ask the resort to deep clean your room ahead of your stay to ensure all surfaces and the floor are free of allergens. Ask them to ensure that there are no allergen foods in the mini bar or welcome hampers.
Sometimes, having a chat with the head chef upon your arrival can help you build a relationship with the kitchen staff, which can be helpful when you have specific requests during your stay.
It is always an advantage to have a medical crew on-site at the resort with experience dealing with food allergies, but this isn’t widely available – especially in smaller resorts.
If you are planning to eat out, take some time to check the menus of top-rated local restaurants and cafes to make sure they accommodate your dietary requirements.
Ensure that you have comprehensive travel medical insurance cover with full disclosure of the family members with allergies, otherwise you might find the insurer will not cover for any accidents, in the event of needing treatment and make a note of the country’s medical emergency number.
- Local language and laws
Learning the local translation for your allergen foods and a few phrases, such as “I’m allergic to nuts, dairy, sesame etc”, “does this dish/ any of these dishes contain x, y or z” or “please can you help me/ call a doctor” can be invaluable. EqualEats provide allergy translation cards in multiple languages.
The laws of allergen labelling across the EU are similar to those in the UK, which means they should disclose, although this remains voluntary, whether any of the food they serve contains the top-14 allergens. The same applies to food labelling on packaged foods that you buy – allergens should be highlighted in bold. If you are travelling outside the EU, be sure to check the laws on food allergen labelling ahead of your holiday.
- Medication and storage
Before travelling, check if your medication has not expired or is due to expire. Otherwise, replace it in advance.
Make sure you are well stocked up on your medication, mainly antihistamines, to cover your stay and longer in case of any unforeseen delays. It’s important to store your meds at the right temperature, so it’s worth investing in a handy storage bag like Allerpack. These bags come in different sizes and colours and have been specifically designed to store allergy medication at the optimum temperature. The bum bag is also great for older, more independent kids who might need to carry their own meds around the resort.
Be aware that the adrenaline in the adrenaline auto-injectors needs to be kept between 15 C and 25 C, hence the need for an insulated bag when being in a place with a higher temperature for extended periods.
Do not forget to have several copies of yours or your child’s Allergy Action Plan!
- Prepare for take-off
Ahead of your flight, get in touch with the airline and ask them to make the crew aware of your food allergies and to provide meals that are safe from these allergens. Enquire whether they are fully stocked with adrenaline autoinjectors on board, but be aware that most airlines do not have a policy to stock them on board. It is actually a myth that food allergens are airborne and an allergen that someone else is eating can contaminate the air through the plane ventilation system – the real risk is in contaminated surfaces that have been touched by someone eating/ handling the food itself. Therefore, it is important to bring cleaning wipes with you, and clean the area where your child will sit or play, as mentioned below. Some airlines will provide a cleaning kit, so it is worth asking if they have one.
If you would prefer not to eat what the airline provides, you can prepare your own snacks and food to enjoy. It’s worth bringing a supply for the rest of the holiday to enjoy by the pool or at the beach and excursions. For children, this means they can enjoy the familiarity and comfort of their favourite snacks.
- In-flight hygiene
It’s always a good idea to bring a supply of your own antibacterial wipes to clean hands regularly and clean down surfaces, seat belts, and remote controllers during the flight. These can be used when you’re out and about on holiday too.
If you are on a long-haul flight with a child with allergies, they might meet other children they want to play with. It’s important to chat with the other children’s parents about your child’s allergies. This way you will ensure that no food is exchanged without your knowledge, potentially leading to an allergic reaction.
- In the event of an emergency….
Above all, keep calm as best as possible. Follow the instructions on your Allergy Action Plan and give medication according to symptoms.
Remember that if there is an emergency during the flight, such as anaphylaxis, you can request that the crew tell the captain to land the plane at the nearest safe airport.
In the event of anaphylaxis at your destination, after administering medication, contact the emergency team at your hotel and the emergency numbers for the area you are staying in, which your travel insurance company should provide, so keep them easy to reach.
If you have administered one or two of the adrenaline auto-injectors to yourself or your child, you need to be seen in hospital and to stay under medical observation for a few hours. During that time, be sure to replace your used injectors with new ones.
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