Healthy Tips For Travel To Asia For Allergy Sufferers
Are you planning a trip to Asia, but are allergic to various things? If you are feeling anxious about it, you have an excellent reason to feel that way. First, there is a language barrier, and then, your allergy to certain foods. Luckily, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for your dream to see the world. You should go for it. However, some healthy tips can come handy when it comes to traveling when you are an allergy sufferer. Keep reading to find out how you can stay safe during the trip.
Research about your destination
Asia is comprised of many countries with different cultures and foods. Thus, make sure to do some research on the food practices and cuisine of the regions you will be visiting. What are their primary dishes? What kind of ingredients do they use? Doing this will help you to know which dishes contain your allergen, and you can avoid it.
When doing the research, find out also about the available restaurants in your destination. You might be lucky to find a chain restaurant that is familiar to you making it easy to order food.
In addition to that, look for the available hospitals, ambulance, taxi services, and emergency phone numbers. Note that information down on paper and keep it close to you for the most obvious reason, in case of a medical emergency.
Carry your medication with you
Better safe than sorry, the saying goes. As you pack everything else you need for your journey, remember to pack your allergy medication too. It is a precautionary measure that will keep you safe and at peace of mind when visiting Asia.
Pack some of the medicines in your suitcase and others in your hand luggage for easy access in case of an emergency. For women travelers, carry some of the medicine in your handbag or pulse. Ensure you bring more than you need to be on the safer side.
To avoid trouble with the airport security personnel, travel with your prescription and a doctor’s letter that explains why you must go with the medicines.
Call the airline or restaurant beforehand
When you have decided at what time you want to have your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, call or visit the restaurant beforehand to make a reservation on what shouldn’t be added in your dish. If possible, request to speak with the chef. Waiters and hostesses aren’t savvy on what goes on in the kitchen. The same applies to the airline. If, for instance, you have a nut allergy and are worried the snacks offered during the flight aren’t nut-free, call the airline earlier so that they can offer nut-free snacks.
Carry translation cards or Google translate
If you are concerned about how you will let the waiters or airplane staff know that you have an allergy to particular foods when there is a language barrier, you can get around that. Bring translation cards with you.
These are cards explaining your allergy in the language of the country of destination. You will only need to show it to the waiter attending to you, and they will avoid serving the foods that cause an allergic reaction.
You can write the card by yourself or print it from Allergy Translation. On the other hand, Google translate will help when translating the ingredients of a particular product.
Bring your food
If you can’t shake off the fear of being served foods that will cause a reaction, there is the option of bringing food with you. Pack enough non-perishable allergy-free foods from home that will take you through the flight and a few more days. You will save yourself a lot of trouble with foreign delicacies and enjoy the stay all together.
Get a travel insurance
Ensure your food allergy is covered under your travel insurance. Like any insurance claim, this will help you get compensated in the unfortunate event of being admitted to the hospital or if you require helicopter evacuation.
Inform your fellow travelers about your allergy
Traveling as a group is less scary for allergy sufferers because they get more people taking care of them. Thus, if the trip to Asia is with a friend or group, let them know about your allergy and how to know when you are reacting.
Tell them about the kind of medication you take, and what they can do in case you need emergency medical attention. Such information will help them avoid the bystander effect when you get an allergy response.
Final Words
A trip to Asia is not complete until you have tasted the local delicacies. For allergy sufferers, this is scary. Besides, no one wants to feel uncomfortable, get checked into a hospital, or have to be evacuated while traveling. It is, therefore, necessary to take precautions before and during the trip to ensure you have fun the way you planned till the last minute. Thankfully, following the healthy tips described here will allow you to enjoy your visit to Asia with no worries.
