Page 50 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

Stephanie - I travelled throughout Poland with my allergies! I speak the language and stayed with family. So it was a fantastic experience where I could eat the food. It was just like being at home!
What do you do in situations where there is a language barrier?
Giulia - Before leaving for any exotic place, I write down the translations of my allergens on a piece of paper and practice how to say the information I may need to explain to someone on my trip. You always need to ensure that there are no misunderstandings when your allergies are involved!
Stephanie - I brought cards with my allergies written on them to various countries and showed them to the staff at restaurants and bakeries to ensure that they understood my allergies. I translated, “I am allergic to...” with an online translator.
Planes, trains, ships or automobiles – what’s the toughest form of travel with allergies?
Emily Rose - I would say planes. This is because planes sometimes sell peanuts. So I have to be extra careful. I always clean the area where I will be sitting and put a towel down just in case the person before me ate peanuts.
Giulia - I am very hesitant to travel on a boat with my allergies. The enclosed space and travelling in the open water without access to any sort of hospital makes me very anxious.
Stephanie - Planes might be the toughest because you do not know who you will be sitting beside and you cannot change your seat very easily. I have been a little too close for comfort to people eating foods I am allergic to on planes before.
How many auto-injectors do you take with you when travelling?
Emily Rose - It depends on what method of transport I will be taking. In a plane, I take six auto-injectors. So I will have a lot of spares if I have a reaction. If I am travelling by bus or car I take three - two to carry on me and one extra just in case.
Giulia - It is a minimum of 4 for me. You need to bring at least 2 just in case you have a biphasic reaction (i.e. a reaction that comes back after the initial reaction). You always need to bring backups just in case something was to happen!
Stephanie - I take, at the very least, two auto-injectors with me to be safe! What safe food do you bring with you when travelling?