As the mother of an APLV child, I know how difficult, scary and frustrating it is to often set foot outside the house when there are food allergies. But I also believe that it is important to get acquainted with the allergy as soon as possible, learn to live with it and that this health condition does not prevent us from enjoying everyday life.
At this point of the year many of us are planning our summer vacation nowBut when there are food allergies, this planning must be meticulous and take into account several factors, especially if we are going to leave our country.
Gastronomy of the chosen destination
If we are going to travel outside our borders with a food allergy, it is important take into account the destination chosen according to the allergy have our son, because we could find inappropriate places.
My advice is that if you don't know the country you want to travel to, you immerse yourself in its culture and gastronomy, finding out what their typical dishes are and what ingredients they usually use in their recipes.
If the food to which your child is allergic is the main protagonist of the gastronomy of that country, it may be better to look for another alternative or, failing that, take it into account to take precautionary measures.
Conveyance
Once we have selected our holiday destination, we will have to choose the most suitable means of transport to arrive: private vehicle, train, plane or ship. There are several options we have, but if we choose to leave the car at home it is important that let's get in touch with the transport company and we inform you about your allergy policy.
On some occasions, this information is visible through the company's website, but in case of doubt my recommendation is to telephone well in advance, in case you have to send a letter or book a different menu.
Remember that Not only is it enough to have menu alternatives suitable for allergy sufferers. It is also necessary to know if cross contamination is controlled and if the staff in charge is trained in food allergies (in the case of cruises with restaurants on board, for example)
Resources if we do not handle languages
If you are going to travel to a foreign country it is essential know in advance how the food to which your child is allergic is said in their language, as well as those derived from that food.
It is also a good idea. print cards with a drawing or photo of the allergen food and his name below. In this way, we can carry it in your pocket and show it when necessary wherever we go (restaurants, shops, supermarkets ...) as an aid if we do not handle the language.
Via www.allergytranslation.com On the AllergyTranslation website they offer us the possibility to order these cards in a personalized way, as well as many other resources to travel outside our country when there are food allergies.
Identify your child
The idea of putting your baby an identification bracelet is a resource that I always advise when we travel with children, regardless of whether or not they have food allergies.
They are made of materials that can be worn for several days without damage, and we can write the name of our son, a contact phone number and the food to which he is allergic.
Updated medical report
Before going on a trip it is essential go to the pediatrician or specialist who treats your child to update the medical report (which should also be translated into the language of the country we are going to, or at least into English), and offer you guidelines to take into account depending on the chosen destination.
This report will be very useful in the event of an incident occurring at the destination or in need of health care, as well as to pass the airport and station security controls without problems if you carry medication.
Emergency kit
It's fundamental prepare an emergency kit and always take it with us. This kit will include all medications that the allergist has considered based on the severity and symptoms of our child (antihistamines, inhalers, corticosteroids, self-injected adrenaline ...)
It is not about taking the entire pharmacy in your bag, but it is important that you pay attention to the days you are going to stay out to calculate the doses you might need.
On the other hand, it is convenient that do not store all medicines in the same bag or suitcase to avoid running out of them if lost. A good idea is to leave them at the hotel and when you go out, keep in your bag the dose that your child could use during that day.
Health care of the destination
Another important aspect to consider is know the emergency phone number of the country you are going to travel to. 112 is the number of emergencies within the European Union, 911 is in the United States and Canada, and these numbers are also repeated in other Latin American, African or Asian countries, although it should be reported previously.
I also advise to take a look at the main hospitals located in the area where you are going to stay, and have them more or less controlled in case any emergency arises you can act quickly.
Choosing the hotel or place of residence
My advice is not to choose hotels, campsites or places of residence that are very far from the urban center or with poor communication. Although perhaps this is something that I would recommend to anyone traveling with young children, regardless of whether or not they have food allergies or any other health problem.
Once you have chosen the place where we are going to stay, it is important inform previously about food allergy of our son, and to know his policy of action with allergic guests, fundamentally if in addition to sleeping you are going to make any of the meals of the day at the hotel.
Browse the Internet, ask, inform yourself ...
And finally, do not hesitate to surf the Internet, consult travel forums, agencies, food allergy associations, and ask all your questions to people you know and who have previously traveled to the same destination chosen by you.
Surely in addition to useful information for your trip and tourist routes, you get recommendations from restaurants sensitized with the allergic group and other practical tips that you may want to know. Happy journey!
Photos | Pixabay, iStock
In Traveler's Diary | Cruises: floating cities for the whole family?
