Don't let severe allergies stop you from travelling - just do some extra planning
There is no reason why you and your family can't enjoy holidays or travel. It just means a little bit of extra planning and maybe adding a few items to your travel checklist.
Avoidance of triggers is always the most effective way of managing allergies, so if you are planning on travelling it’s important to know exactly what your triggers are, and how to communicate them.1
Of course, there may be hidden triggers, so you still need to be prepared.
Research your destination, particularly if you are travelling overseas. Learn the local words for all of your triggers. Translation apps and websites can help you with that. Write down the details of your allergies on a card that can be shown to restaurant or other staff in English and their language. Or look at acquiring a set of multi-language cards from providers such as Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia2 which are available from: https://allergyfacts.org.au/resources/aaa-translated-chef-card-template
The multi-language cards mentioned in this website are general recommendations only, and are not endorsed by Viatris or intended to be applicable to all patients.
You may need to request the following from your doctor before you travel:2
- Doctor’s letter about your need to carry EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector
- Updated ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and ASCIA Travel Plan
- Medical report for your travel policy, if required
Make sure you pack
a spare EpiPen® Auto-Injector
Note the location
of the nearest
emergency centre
Make sure you have enough medication to last the trip - plus some more
Check if you can buy an EpiPen® Auto-Injector where you are
Share your
anaphylaxis plan
with hotel staff
Hospital
Hospital
Research the closest emergency centre to your destination and have location and contact details available in case they are needed.2
Mobile phones
Mobile phones
Mobile phone reception might also be limited. You may need to switch your mobile phone to international roaming or purchase local or international SIM cards.
Medication
Medication
Ensure your EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector will not expire whilst travelling.
Plans
Plans
Obtain, and make copies of, a letter from your doctor detailing your allergy and the medication required to manage it.
If you are travelling to countries where English is not the primary language spoken you may wish to carry a card with your emergency procedure translated into the local language.2
And take a printed copy of the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis to share with hotel or resort staff.
If you are flying2
Before you book flights, check out the airline’s policy on allergy prevention and treatment. For example, does the airline serve peanuts or other potential triggers as snacks? Are you able to board with EpiPen® Auto-Injector? When you finally book, alert the airline to any allergies and special meal requests. If the airline can’t guarantee allergy free foods, check that you can take your own food on board.
Airlines, customs and security policies vary. To help minimise issues with carrying EpiPen® Auto-Injector , it is recommended that all medication is carried in original packaging and that you take a letter from your doctor.
It is highly recommended that you take out medical travel insurance for your trip – healthcare can be very expensive in some countries.
You should notify airline attendants of your allergies when you board the plane and indicate the location of your EpiPen® Auto-Injector and Action Plan.
Wipe down seatback trays before placing food items on them, to avoid cross contamination from previous passengers.
You should carry EpiPen® Auto-Injector in your hand luggage. EpiPen® Auto-Injector should not be packed into checked-in luggage. Make sure EpiPen® Auto-Injector is within easy reach. It is better to keep it in a bag under the seat in front of you or in the seat pocket rather than in the overhead locker.
If travelling with children with allergies, ensure flight attendants are aware of the situation in case you fall asleep or aren’t in a position to monitor what the child eats or drinks.
You can find more help and advice on living with anaphylaxis from the following organisations.
ASCIA is the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand. The ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/anaphylaxis provides accessible, consistent and evidence based resources, education and training about anaphylaxis for health professionals, patients, carers and community.
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia is the peak not-for-profit organisation for those living with allergy including the risk of anaphylaxis. For trusted information and support, go to www.allergyfacts.org.au
-
References:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet]. Anaphylaxis; [cited September 2020]. Available from: www.allergy.org.au/patients/about-allergy/anaphylaxis
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet]. PCC Travelling with allergy, asthma and anaphylaxis: Checklist; [cited September 2020]. Available from: https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy [Internet ]. Allergic reaction to bites and stings; [cited September 2020]. Available from: www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_Allergic_Reactions_Bites_Stings_2019.pdf
Join more than 35,000 EpiPen® Auto-Injector users and reap the benefits1
MyEpiPen® is an online resource dedicated to helping you and your family be better prepared to manage anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). If you're not yet a member of MyEpiPen®, make sure you join today to receive:
- An EpiPen® Trainer – a training device to help you practise using EpiPen® Auto-Injector
- How to use EpiPen® Auto-Injector fridge magnet - to serve as a useful reminder
- Expiry reminders - to help ensure you always have an in-date EpiPen® Auto-Injector at hand
- Regular updates on the latest anaphylaxis news
Register here
Welcome to MyEpiPen®
Patients and Carers
Our new website is designed to support Australians who have been diagnosed with
severe allergies and are at risk of anaphylaxis.
Schools and Pharmacists
We’re busy working on your new programs, and look forward to welcoming you to the
new site soon. In the meantime, please click below to access the EpiClub® site as usual.
July 2021. EPI-2021-0194.
When collecting your EpiPen® or EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector prescription, your pharmacist may try to switch it, or talk to you about switching to Anapen®.1
EpiPen® Auto-Injectors and Anapen® are not the same:2-4
EpiPen® takes just 2 steps to use.2,3
Anapen® takes more steps.4
EpiPen® has a Never-See-Needle.™2,3
Anapen®’s needle is exposed after use.4
- Switching means retraining: You, your family, friends and caregivers must retrain to use a different device correctly if you have an anaphylactic attack2-4
- Switching means a different ASCIA Action Plan: You will also need to get a new ASCIA Action Plan, specific to Anapen®5
Remember, you don’t have to change. It’s your choice6
Be specific and tell your GP and pharmacist that you want your EpiPen® Auto-Injector prescription.
References:
- NPS Medicinewise. Brand equivalence — ‘a’ flagging explained. Available at: https://www.nps.org.au/radar/articles/brand-equivalence-a-flagging-explained. Accessed December 2021.
- EpiPen® Adrenaline (epinephrine) 300 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
- EpiPen® Jr. Adrenaline (epinephrine) 150 μg/0.3 mL Auto-Injector. Consumer Medicine information. July 2021.
- Anapen® Consumer Medicine information. March 2021.
- ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis (RED). https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/ascia-plans-action-and-treatment. Accessed December 2021.
- Medical Director. Active Ingredient Prescribing is coming: here’s what you need to know. https://www.medicaldirector.com/news/clinical-practice/2020/08/active-ingredient-prescribing-is-coming-heres-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed December 2021.
February 2022. EPI-2021-0567.