Flying with severe food allergies as well as other allergies can be a frightening experience. The idea of being trapped in a cabin 30,000 ft in the air with no way out is a daunting one. Even more daunting is the thought that your life depends on people you have never met before and may never meet again. To survive these situations I’ve put together 4 things people with severe allergies need to know before flying.
What to do when ordering your meal. If you know you will be eating on the flight, make sure you order whatever meal fits your needs ahead of time. You can do this by calling the airline directly or ordering through their website when booking your ticket. This will ensure that any trace ingredients are not contained in your meal and that it is still fresh upon arrival. Remember: just because something does not contain an allergen does not mean it is safe for consumption; it could also contain a cross-contaminant.
Make sure to speak up. Once aboard, make sure to alert the flight attendants of any and all allergies you have so they can take proper precautions while serving those around you as well as making sure they inform their coworkers who are working the same flight. It is also imperative that they know how to administer any medications you may have with
It’s that time of year again. Time to pack up the family, get on a plane and head somewhere warm and sunny. Unfortunately, flying with severe allergies isn’t always fun. I should know – I’m a flight attendant who has had anaphylaxis twice while working.
Luckily I survived both because my coworkers knew exactly what to do in each situation, but it got me thinking about what would happen if one of our passengers had the same issue. Would they know what to do? Would they be carrying their own epinephrine? Did they know that airlines are required to carry epinephrine onboard?
So that you can travel worry-free this holiday season, here are four things people with severe allergies should know before flying:
On the surface, flying seems like it should be safe for people with severe allergies. After all, you’re in a metal tube above the clouds – what could go wrong?
But travel always comes with risks, and you need to be aware of these common allergy-related problems that can come up during air travel. Thankfully, there are simple ways to avoid or handle these issues if they do occur.
Here are four things to know before flying with severe allergies:
Flying can be a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, but for people with severe allergies and asthma, it can be an even more daunting task. Here are some things to know before flying:
1. Be Prepared
While there is no guarantee that you will have an allergic reaction while flying, being prepared is the best way to give yourself peace of mind. Always make sure to bring your EpiPen and inhaler with you and keep them in your carry-on bag rather than your checked bag. It never hurts to be prepared, just in case.
2. Know What You Can Handle
If you have known food allergies or other life threatening allergies, make sure to alert the airline staff before boarding the plane, so they are aware of the situation and can take extra precautions if needed. If you are prone to severe asthma attacks when faced with certain triggers (i.e., cigarette smoke), call ahead and ask if people are allowed to smoke during this flight or if any pets will be on board. Alerting the airline staff also means that, in the event of an emergency, they will be better equipped to deal with the situation.
Flying with severe allergies? Here’s a few things you need to know before you travel:
1. Make sure you can carry on your medication.
2. Make sure you can carry on your food.
3. Be prepared for delays.
4. Don’t forget other forms of transportation!
It’s important to make sure that when you travel, you take the necessary precautions to make sure that your trip is both safe and enjoyable!
When it comes to traveling with allergies, flying is one of the most worrisome modes of transport. Closed cabins, pressure changes, and in-flight meals can all trigger life-threatening allergic reactions. Here are a few things I’ve learned from my own experiences with flying that might be helpful if you have allergies.
1. Know what you’re allergic to and how severe your reaction can be.
If you’re severely allergic to peanuts, for example, and there’s a chance that those could make their way into the air on a plane, you should probably carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) with you and be prepared to use it if necessary.
2. Be prepared for your allergies before you board the plane.
I’ve never actually had a reaction during a flight — knock on wood — but I’m always prepared just in case something does happen. For me, that means carrying an EpiPen with me at all times and wearing a medical alert bracelet so that people know what I’m allergic to if something does happen while I’m not conscious. If you’re worried about peanut dust making its way onto the plane and triggering a reaction, then taking an antihistamine before boarding or asking your doctor about using a steroid nasal spray
Traveling with allergies can be stressful. We are often asked, “What are the most important things to know when traveling with food allergies?? The first thing on our list: Always be prepared.
If you have a severe allergy, never leave home without your epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, Adrenaclick or generic epinephrine) and antihistamines. Read the instructions for use and make sure that you know how to use your epinephrine auto-injector properly before you travel.
Once you arrive at your destination, check out the hotel’s food room service menu for potential allergens. If you’re still not confident about the allergen content of the dishes, call the concierge to discuss other options.
Traveling alone? Let someone know about your allergies so they can help if needed. If you are traveling with a group or family member, make sure they know how to use your epinephrine auto-injector in case you have a reaction.
Be aware of what foods may be offered on flights – if any – and bring safe options just in case. Also, know that peanuts are commonly served onboard many airplanes and consider asking airline staff to avoid serving them in