5 Ways For Those With Food Allergies To Stay Safe At The Airport

AIRLINES & AIRPORTS | VANE AIRPORT MAGAZINE | 

Airports can be a tricky place for those of us with life-threatening food allergies! I am one of the approximately 15 million Americans with food allergies.

As someone who is constantly on the move and spent years flying and traveling most weekends to new destinations, I can easily say I have spent my share of time in airports — and I can definitely tell you how difficult it can be at the airport with food allergies.

Having a plan and being prepared before heading out the door are essentials to surviving your time spent at the airport. As lines continue to grow at airline check-ins and airport security, the necessity to be there longer than in the past is also something new to consider.

So for those of us at the airport with food allergies, how can we make our time easier?

Tip 1: Plan Ahead

How long are you traveling for? Do you have multiple flights? These questions should be answered and taken into consideration when preparing for your trip. Since finding safe food can be such a challenge, it means it is essential to do your research ahead of time. Make sure you also have plenty of medication and store it in your carry-on luggage. In some airports, you can now find travel size medications, but rarely are there pharmacies that can supply you with extra Epi-pens!

Tip 2: Eat a Big Meal Before You Leave

Are you leaving for the airport at 4 a.m.? It doesn’t matter what time of day you’re leaving. Eating a warm and satisfying meal before you leave helps being at the airport with food allergies go much more smoothly. You can’t always predict airport delays and flight cancellations! If you only have snacks to munch on and nothing healthy and filling to start the journey, it could be a long, “hangry” day ahead! Eat accordingly.

READ MORE: 5 Things To Do at 6 am at Philadelphia Airport

Tip 3: Pack Food

What allergy-safe snacks do you enjoy? Make sure to pack plenty of them! Leaving it up to the airport and taking the time to try to scout out snack options is not a reliable plan of action. I would always rather over-pack safe snacks than not have enough. I know sometimes it’s difficult to avoid feeling weighed down with all the extras. It may end up worth your while though and save you the stress of finding something safe and satisfying. Travel often means flexibility, which is why being over-prepared is usually better!

Tip 4: Thirsty yet? The ONE necessary purchase

Once I get through security, I always buy a bottle of water. That is the one essential I can’t bring with me and always need. I’d rather have my own with a cap, than use the plastic cups on the airplane. Maybe it is just me, but I ALWAYS fall asleep right after they pass out drinks, which basically guarantees that I will spill my plastic cup of water all over myself and my seat-mates. Why risk it? No spilling and no allergy concerns when you bring your own. Bottles are just better in this case!

Tip 5: Finding an Allergen-Free Hang Out Spot

With many more airports trying to cater to healthier living, there have also been a greater number of peanut and tree nut stands popping up in airport terminals. These stands are filled with a large selection, from sugar coated, to plain, to spicy. Travelers are stopping at these stands on the way to their gate to buy bags of what some may consider a healthier option. To others like me, it could cause life-threatening reactions and raises anxiety levels.

I suggest trying to find a spot far away from these stands, food courts and restaurants to wait for your flight. Look for spaces near your gate that are clean from food. Use hand wipes to wash off the area, then relax and enjoy some down time before boarding!

This blog originally appeared on Vane's website.

Have Dog or Peanut Allergies? These Are Your Rights on a Plane

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Good news: You can ask the airline not to serve peanuts on your flight, if you're allergic.

If you or a family member has a severe allergy, flying can not only be stressful—it can be dangerous. Here's how to protect yourself and your loved ones the next time you board so you can feel safe in the air.

Last week, the Internet was abuzz with news of a seven-year-old boy who was removed from an Allegiant Air flight after he had an allergic reaction to a dog on the plane. Some passengers reportedly clapped when the boy and his family were escorted out of the cabin. Though the applause was extremely unfortunate,Allegiant stands behind the decision to remove the family from the plane to ensure the boy’s safety.

But the incident begs the questions: What is the protocol when a passenger has an allergic reaction to something on a plane—be it a pet, peanuts, or pollen from a seatmate’s flowers? And if you do have severe allergies, what can you do—and what are your rights—to avoid a reaction while flying?

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explains that there are overarching federal guidelines on how airlines should handle passenger allergies, but that each airline’s protocol varies. Allegiant, for one, states on its website that, “Allegiant does not guarantee an allergen-free flight. Upon request, Allegiant will attempt to reseat a passenger affected by an allergy in an effort to minimize the passenger’s exposure to the allergen.” According to some reports of the aforementioned incident, that’s exactly what happened: The little boy was reseated away from the dog in an attempt to alleviate his reaction, but when the symptoms persisted, the on-call doctor advised that it would be safest for him to leave the plane.

It turns out that Allegiant’s policy falls squarely within FAA guidelines. The FAA explains that it is impossible to create a completely allergen-free flight. For instance, even though there are some airlines that don’t allow pets on board, and with other airlines, you can call ahead to ask if there is a pet traveling on your flight, the FAA warns that no cabin will ever be completely dander-free. This is because animal allergens are carried on the clothes of other passengers.

“You can find pet dander in about 50 percent of homes that don’t even have a pet, so if you extrapolate that to a plane, you can imagine that there will be dander in the air,” says Selina Gierer, D.O., assistant professor of allergy and immunology at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City. Similarly, if the airline does not serve peanuts (a common allergen), or is willing to accommodate a request to avoid serving peanuts on your flight, they still can’t stop another passenger from bringing a PB&J sandwich on the plane. But this doesn’t mean that you are doomed to have an allergic reaction while flying. There are plenty of ways that you can avoid symptoms if you prepare ahead of time and work with the airline crew. Here’s how:

Call the airline before you book your flight to find out their policies. Most airlines will tell you if there are pets booked on the flight, or if they will avoid serving nuts. “Airlines are usually very good about honoring requests from customers, and may announce to the cabin that due to a traveler with a peanut allergy, they will not be serving peanuts,” says Dr. Gierer. “But that is not something that every peanut allergic person has to do.” She explains that most people are only sensitive to foods when they actually touch or ingest them. It’s much rarer for someone to have a reaction to breathing in peanut dust floating in the air. Pet dander, on the other hand, gets aerosolized and can often affect allergy sufferers without any physical contact.

Prep wisely. Talk with your doctor about which medications you should take and when. “You may be able to take your allergy medications shortly before boarding the plane to ensure they are at the greatest efficacy,” says Dr. Gierer.

Travel with your allergy meds —including an EpiPen—in case of a severe anaphylactic reaction. Be sure medications are labeled clearly (the FAA says you should have a professional pharmacy label with your EpiPen in order to satisfy TSA airport security requirements). Also, have your medications readily accessible along with instructions on how to use them. That way, a flight attendant or someone near you will be able to help you administer them if you are unable to do it during an emergency. And don’t forget your inhaler if you have asthma: Allergens and other airway irritants (like chemicals in perfume) in tight quarters over prolonged periods of time can cause asthma and nasal symptoms to flare. “Some patients with this degree of sensitivity prefer to travel wearing a mask to minimize exposure,” says Dr. Gierer.

Wear your medical ID jewelry (a bracelet or necklace that states your allergy) in plain site, especially if you’re on your own. “Some people like to travel with documentation of their allergies, and there are even EpiPen apps that you can put on your phone’s main screen that show how to use an EpiPen in the event that you have a reaction and need someone else’s help,” says Dr. Gierer.

Inform a flight attendant of your allergy when you board if your allergy is severe or you’re traveling alone. And rest assured that flight attendants are trained to assist in these situations. The FAA states that if a passenger has an allergic reaction, a flight attendant should notify the captain, request medical assistance and provide medical support to any medical volunteers available, communicate with ground-based medical help if need be, allow the passenger to administer his or her medication, administer medical-use oxygen if necessary, monitor airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs), and coordinate with the flight deck.

Wipe down your seat area. The best way to avoid touching an allergen is to bring along antibacterial wipes and clean off your armrest and tray table before you even sit down, suggests Dr. Gierer.

Ask to change seats. If it turns out that your seatmate is toting a cat or is wearing a cologne so strong that you’re having trouble breathing, the flight crew cannot ask the person to get off the plane, or wash off the cologne. But they should be able to reseat you. “There is no strict distance that you should sit from an allergen, but the flight crew should seat you as far away as possible,” says Dr. Gierer. “The farther you are from the allergen, the better off you’re going to be.”

Written by Rachel Rabkin Peachman

 www.cntraveler.com

Summer Travel Tips For People With Asthma And Allergies

Whether it's an overseas vacation, a trip to the beach or a getaway in the country, safe travel for people with asthma and allergies starts with sound planning.

Prior to your trip, schedule a checkup with your primary care physician or board-certified allergist and discuss your travel plans. Ask if there are steps you can take to prevent symptoms, review your Asthma or Anaphylaxis Action Plan, and request prescription refills.

"Asthma flares and allergic reactions can occur without warning, and managing these conditions during travel can add stress to a time meant for relaxation," says Tonya Winders, President and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. "If your asthma and allergies are managed well at home, apply the same approach on vacation. Realistic and practical planning, such as packing extra medication or calling restaurants to find out if they accommodate food allergies, can help prepare you for potential medical emergencies and ease anxiety."

Pack medical equipment, such as a nebulizer and peak flow meter, along with medication. Bring important healthcare documents, including your action plan, health insurance information, and your doctor's telephone number. Also, research where hospitals and pharmacies are located at your travel destination.

"If you or your child have food allergies, plan your travel meals and snacks, and pack extra food in case of delays," says Amanda Painter, a volunteer with The Network's Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACE) program in Maryville, Tennessee and South Chapter Coordinator for the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee. "On car trips, packing a picnic lunch provides the added benefit of giving kids a chance to run around and release energy. We also try to stay at hotels with a kitchen and a refrigerator to store safe snacks and meals."
More travel tips from The Network:

Planes and Trains

• Request special accommodations for food allergies when making your reservation and again when you board. Request an allergen-free meal or bring one with you. When you arrive at your seat, clean the tray table and arm rests with a sanitary wipe.

• Pack emergency medications such as bronchodilator inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors in carry-on luggage and keep it with you instead of storing it in overhead bins.

• Drink plenty of water during air travel, as dry air on planes can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms.

• Ask to sit as far away as possible from passengers traveling with their pets.

Automobiles

• Give the inside of your vehicle a thorough cleaning prior to your trip.

• Travel during early morning or late evening hours when air quality is better and traffic is lighter.

• Use air conditioning and keep it on recycle so that outside air doesn't come in.

Lodging

When choosing a hotel, ask about allergy-friendly rooms. Many now offer state-of-the-art air purifiers, mattress and pillow encasings, and cleaning products to remove harmful allergens and irritants such as bacteria, dust mites and airborne mold, according to PURE Solutions, a Buffalo, New York-based company that develops PURE Rooms around the world.

More tips:

• Choose a hotel that is smoke-free and pet-free, and if a PURE Room is not available, request a nonsmoking or no-pet room.

• Avoid first-floor rooms where you might be exposed to car fumes from the parking lot, and request a room away from the hotel pool to avoid harsh chemicals used in pool cleaning.

• Don't hesitate to ask to be m

'Allergy-Friendly' Airline Is Now A Thing Thanks To Swiss International Air Lines

Swiss International Air Lines is taking one step toward a more allergy-friendly travel experience, and they mean business. The airline is the first of its kind to be certified as "allergy-friendly" by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation.

What exactly does this mean for travelers? Depending on your allergy and intolerance levels, this could mean a whole lot...or very little.

Swiss has taken steps to making their cabins a more neutral environment for those who have sensitivities to airborne allergens like fragrances and scents by using gentle soaps in the lavatories, synthetic materials in their pillows and eliminating air fresheners completely.

For those that have food intolerances, they are offering lactose- and gluten-free food and beverage solutions and, with advance notice, will "provide a special menu for passengers with extraordinary requirements."

Though Swiss Air has gone further than most airlines, it is still very important to note they are an "allergy-friendly" airline, not an "allergy-free" one. Being "allergy-free," especially when it comes to food allergies, can be much more of a challenge to guarantee.

If traveling with an allergy is a concern for you or a family member, there are a number of websites out there, like AllergySafeTravel or Allergic Traveler, to ease your mind and offer a little bit of assistance. 

The Huffington Post  | Contributed by Katelyn Mullen

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