8 Tips for Summer Holidays with Allergies

Nathalie has a muti allergic 6-year old, Callum, so travelling is not easy. But it is possible and Nathalie is not going to let Callum's allergies stop the whole family having fun. So here are her tops tips for having a safe but still enjoyable summer holiday.

Summer holidays are now upon us but if you have not yet completed your planning, here are some ideas which hopefully will make your holiday, be it a 'stay-' or 'va-cation', safer and therefore more enjoyable.

There are some fantastic options if you choose to have a ‘staycation’ and this can often be a good compromise if you’re not quite ready to test going abroad. By having a ‘staycation’ you can take the basics with you, know that you speak the language and can shop for items you trust. Equally, if you do choose to go abroad, many countries now speak English, and also have free from products readily available in their supermarkets.

So, to help you, we’ve put together our ‘8 Tips for Summer Holidays and Allergies’:

• Work out whether you will be staying in the UK or heading abroad – it’s important to do what you’re comfortable with otherwise you won’t be able to truly enjoy your holiday

• Do your research – websites such as www.allergytravels.com are a great resource for seeking out allergy safe places to travel to and will also provide feedback from where people have travelled previously, giving you even more peace of mind.

• If travelling abroad, what method of transportation will you be using? Airlines are now becoming more and more helpful for people with allergies, and doing their utmost to assist. Most have dedicated sections on their websites, providing detailed information on what to do so they can support and assist as much as possible. You can phone airlines in advance for support and guidance and on the day, request to be boarded before anyone else so you can wipe down chairs and fold down tables to ensure that you are confident you’ve removed traces of allergens. Additionally, if you are concerned by nuts being consumed, you can request that ahead of the flight an announcement is made asking people to refrain from consuming nuts during the flight.

• Ask in various social media groups – it’s highly likely that a number of people will have recommendations based on their own experiences and can offer support and guidance, and also any tips and tricks they’ve picked up along the way.

• Don’t be frightened to call – if you see a hotel or even a self-catering cottage you like the look of, give them a call or email them to see if they are able to cater for you, and also if they are able to offer any guidance or key information of the area. They’ll be more than happy to help!

• Make sure your medication is fully up to date – knowing you have everything to hand will help to reassure you should anything happen, and it’s a good reminder to check nothing is running low. If travelling abroad, it’s good practice to take at least 4 epi pens (if possible) so that you have peace of mind.

• When booking your holiday, check that you have access to local first aid centres or A&E, just in case anything happens, you will have peace of mind knowing there is support to hand should it be required. Also work out how far away they are from where you are staying so that you know in advance how long it will take to get there.

• Use translation cards if travelling abroad – Allergy UK have translation cards to help you with basic sentences and phrases when abroad.

With lots of preparation, and remaining calm, it is possible to have a successful holiday. And whether you choose to have a ‘staycation’ or to travel abroad, we wish you a safe and reaction free summer!

July 2018

For more articles on travelling with allergies and intolerances see here.

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