Air Travel: What Food Allergy Kids Need You to Know
If you’re new here, welcome! You’ll quickly learn that I’m here to empower non-allergic people to become more allergy-aware so that we can all stand up for people with allergies.
I also created a How to Fly with a Toddler with Food Allergies video to provide tips for caretakers of children with food allergies because while traveling with a toddler is stressful, traveling with a toddler/child with allergies is EXTREMELY stressful.
Air Travel Tips Food Allergy Kids Need You to Know
Air travel causes widespread anxiety among passengers managing food allergies, according to a just-released survey. Ninety-eight percent of 4,704 respondents reported some level of anxiety over air travel.
- Wendy M. in Food Allergy News
“I knew people were stressed when flying with food allergies, but 98 percent is surprising,”
- Lianne M. founder of No Nut Traveler
Here are 7 tips I wish I had been aware of when I had to take on my first flight with my allergy toddler alone:
Tip No. 1
Always pack in your carry-on bag a minimum of 2 epinephrine auto-injectors
(if you have more to pack in your carry on, go on - carry it on board!)
I say pack a minimum of 2 because, unfortunately, the first injection does not always work so being prepared to inject the 2nd epinephrine is wise.
We err on the side of caution and pack 4 epinephrine auto-injectors because what good is an epinephrine injector if it’s not with you when you need it, right?
We’ve had no trouble boarding our flights with the adrenaline auto- injectors even though there is a needle inside. My allergy specialist recommended we be prepared with the prescription in case we are pulled aside or questioned about the medical device being carried onto the plane with us. Feel free to follow suit!
In the occasion an epinephrine injection is needed on the flight, do not delay in using it.
Next week, I’ll post a video on “What to do when someone is having an allergic reaction” video with step by step instructions.
Always remember:
epinephrine is not always a miracle ... epinephrine works more successfully when given early in a reaction ...
-Lianne M. founder of NoNutTraveler.com
Tip No. 2
Get to your gate early so you can speak with the Gate Agent
At least 1 hour before we board, I get to the gate and speak with the gate agent at the desk. I explain that my child has life-threatening food allergies. Usually, the gate agent will ask me to explain the situation to the flight attendant in charge of my seating area. This is when we thank them for that guidance and explain that we need our boarding passes reprinted so that we can pre-board the flight to clean up and rid our seating area of remaining food allergens from previous flights.
I used to be nervous about requesting this, but we have a legal right to request this. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that
gives people with disabilities the right to ask for changes where policies, practices or conditions leave you out or put you at a disadvantage. Public companies and places must give people with disabilities full access to all facilities, programs, goods and services. They must also give them the chance to enjoy these places and services just like someone without disabilities […]
Source: AAFA.Org
Yes, the ADA applies to people with allergies..
Airlines must permit some parents — or passengers with food allergies themselves — to preboard in order to wipe down seats, federal regulators said.
The D.O.T. considers severe allergies a disability under the act if they impact a passenger’s ability to breathe or “substantially impact another major life activity.”
[…]
Some are so sensitive that merely touching a surface contaminated with an allergen can set off a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which causes swelling, hives, lowered blood pressure, shock and constriction of the airways. The reaction can be fatal.Source: NYtimes.com - Boarding Now: Parents of Children With Food Allergies
Tip No. 3
Be prepared to pre-board with paper towels & an allergen free cleaning spray
These are the 2 spray solutions we use:
Force of Nature
*Use code: MUMWITHABUN for 40% off a kit
Branch Basics - we use the Travel Kit that includes the Mini-All Purpose spray and Mini Foaming Wash (see Tip No. 7)
*Get $10 off when you use my link
This is your chance to use the few minutes you gain by pre-boarding to wipe down the airplane seats, armrests, head rests, seat backs, tray tables, window, and window shutter in your row. Basically, try your best to wipe down everything you think your toddler/child will touch.
While I wish I could say I’ve peacefully used this time to wipe the area of allergens not visible to the eye… I’ve found large cookie crumbs, whole tree nuts, crushed cheese crackers, and many many other foods pieces containing top allergens. This “pre-board to clean up any possible allergen traces” time is so important and makes a big difference.
My daughter is still in the phase where she puts things in her mouth sometimes without even realizing it. For her, even a tiny tiny piece of her allergen can trigger a life-threatening episode. I don’t think many people realize this. I know I sound like a broken record, but this pre-board & wipe-down time is crucial.
Tip No. 4
Let the flight attendant in your seating area know of your child’s allergy well before take off
Depending on the airline, there will be different responses & policies, but in the best of our experiences, the flight attendant made an announcement during take off and informed the passengers seated near us not to eat the specific foods that could endanger my child. In some flights, the pilot himself made an announcement regarding my child’s allergy and asked passengers to refrain from consuming her allergens so that we could all have a “non-stop” flight to our final destination - nobody wants an emergency landing.
Disclosing an allergy upfront is important so flight attendants aren’t delayed in aiding a passenger having a reaction.
Letting the flight attendant know of a child’s medical condition is sometimes difficult, but take courage. You can do this!
Some airlines request they be informed of the allergy at least 48 hours before the flight. Double check your airline’s website to see if this is part of their policy in the section on allergies.
Tip No. 5
Bring Disposable Plastic Utensils/Cutlery
I’m not a fan of single-use / plastic items but we make an exception during travel. We use plastic gloves and utensils to feed my daughter during the flight and cover her tray table just in case we missed any allergens during the pre-board and wipe down time. In flight, plastic food gloves & utensils are a game changer because even if you instruct your child not to eat with their hands sometimes they just forget/can’t help it!
Tip No. 6
Pack allergen-free, high quality protein & fat rich foods
The nutrition nerd in me gets super excited about this tip because foods high in quality protein and quality fat keep your child satisfied and their blood sugar levels/mood stable throughout the flight. An additional advantage to packing snacks and timing it right is this: having little one’s chew and swallow food during take off and landing could help them not experience that dreaded ear pain post-flight.
Tip No. 7
Bring your own allergen-free SOAP!
Public soaps may contain food allergens in their ingredients. There will be many reasons to wash your child’s hands during the flight so be sure to pack a travel sized soap in your carry-on!
We use Branch Basics Mini Foaming Hand Wash anytime we travel
*Get $10 off when you use my link
Please share this with anyone and everyone.
I hope this helps you and brings you some confidence in flying with your allergy child. You got this.
Have a safe flight!
*Disclaimer: Jane is a participant of affiliate programs designed to provide commission and discounts for those who use her code/link. She does not partner with brands she does not personally use and love.
This post and correlated videos are not intended to provide any medical advice. We create our videos with the intent of providing evidence-based information, and we hope that sharing our personal experiences would shed light on how others can be more allergy aware.
