Having allergies can be limiting, especially if you’re thinking about travelling abroad, but owning a caravan or motorhome can help you to control your surroundings.
If your allergies are severe, then taking your own food with you and cooking in your leisure vehicle’s kitchen can help to minimise risk.
For those who can eat out, the team behind food allergy information app AllergyMenu.uk have offered expert advice for travelling abroad safely this summer.
Juliet Moran, founder of the app, said: “Travel should be a joy, not a health risk. But the sad fact is that travelling with allergies requires careful planning and proactive measures to ensure safety and peace of mind.
“To help people manage their allergies whilst travelling, we’ve issued our expert advice on what they can do to ensure a safe trip this summer. From researching local cuisine and learning key phrases, to carrying translation cards and packing safe snacks, preparation is key.”
Research and plan ahead
Understanding the local cuisine and the food labelling practices in a destination can help you to feel confident as soon as you arrive.
Do your research and get in touch with some restaurants you might like to eat at to explain your allergy situation in advance.
Learn key phrases
During the planning stages, find out how to say important phrases related to your allergies, so you can be clear.
It can be worth making cards to assist with communicating these messages, as remembering a different language and getting the pronunciation right can be difficult in stressful situations.
Pack safe snacks
By travelling in a caravan or motorhome, you’re not restricted to airport baggage allowances, so you can fill the cupboards with safe snacks.
This means you won’t be forced to try and find safe foods when arriving late at night or in a destination with very few options.
Carry medical supplies
Bring a supply of allergy medications, including epinephrine auto-injectors and antihistamines, as these may not be available in your destination.
A letter from your doctor that explains your allergies and the need for your medications can help ensure there are no problems at border control points.
Know emergency procedures
Save the local emergency number in your phone and make a list of hospitals local to the destinations on your touring itinerary.
Time matters with allergic reactions, so having this information to hand can speed up the process of being treated.
Check your travel insurance
A comprehensive travel insurance policy is always necessary when venturing overseas, but it’s worth checking your policy for its cover relating to allergies.
That will ensure you’re not out of pocket if you do need to visit a hospital for emergency care relating to an allergic reaction.
Reducing allergens in caravans and motorhomes
Not all allergies are related to food and leisure vehicles can harbour other triggers that can cause an adverse effect.
To reduce allergens in your caravan or motorhome:
- Clean your leisure vehicle well before a trip
- Remove all soft furnishings, clean and air them
- Keep windows closed to prevent pollen particles entering
- Fit a fly screen on your caravan door so mosquitoes and other biting insects stay outside
Photo credit: Unsplash/Berkin Üregen
