How can you safely travel internationally with EpiPens, prescription medications, and your own food due to extensive allergies?
Traveling internationally with food allergies requires careful planning, but it's definitely manageable. Here's how to navigate it:
For Your EpiPens and Medications:
- Always carry multiple Show Full Answer
How can you safely travel internationally with EpiPens, prescription medications, and your own food due to extensive allergies?
Traveling internationally with food allergies requires careful planning, but it's definitely manageable. Here's how to navigate it:
For Your EpiPens and Medications:
- Always carry multiple epinephrine auto-injectors with you - pack extras in case one is lost or expires
- Keep them in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags
- Bring a written food allergy and anaphylaxis emergency care plan
- Wear medical alert identification jewelry to inform first responders
- Set reminders to replace auto-injectors before they expire
- Pack antihistamines for mild to moderate reactions
For Bringing Your Own Food:
- Pack safe, allergen-free meals and snacks securely to avoid cross-contact during travel
- Consider staying at lodging with kitchen access, like extended-stay hotels or apartment rentals, so you can prepare your own meals
- Research grocery stores at your destination as backup options
Communication is Key:
- Print food allergy picture cards and translation cards in the local language to show restaurants and store workers
- Notify airlines in advance about your allergies and request accommodations
- Research where the nearest emergency departments are in each city you'll visit
- Check whether your health insurance will cover medical treatment abroad
One MyFoodAllergyTeam member shared success using laminated cards in French and Italian explaining their life-threatening allergies, which each family member carried for safety.
March 24
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