holidays with a Nut Allergy

[soz1]

I have recently discovered that my daughter has a peanut allergy. She is 18 months old and we would like to plan a holiday for June 07. Could anyone give me any tips/hints as to holidaying in Spain in terms of eating out, hospital treatment if necessary, accommodation, flying etc.
Many thanks

[tatt]

sorry haven't been around but there are other threads about holidays. If you have an epipen you may be asked for a doctor's letter saying it is necessary for an allergy before they let you take it on a plane. We took the letter from our consultant to the gp when first diagnosed. No-one asked to see it. If you don't have an epipen then make sure you take antihistamine.

In a lot of Spain they speak very good English but a translation card is still useful - look at this website www.allergyaction.org/allergy_action1_Spanish.htm .

Insurance can be a problem. Do a search on mumsnet travel threads for insurance and allergy or medical condition and you'll find companies that are sensible about pre-existing conditions and don't charge you a fortune. You do need to declare the allergy.

Obviously self-catering accommodation is easier on your nerves but the only place we've had a problem was in one Cyprus restaurant where they spoke no English and didn't seem to understand out card at all. So we left and found another place that was fine.

Never rely on getting safe food on the plane. We've had food that was revolting and a chocolate with a nut warning. Airline staff often have a stash of fruit or cheese and biscuits that they will give you if the rest is inedible. There are some airlines we wouldn't fly with but they aren't likely to be on routes to Spain.

[brimfull]

Hi,I have a ds 4.5yrs with a nut allergy.We've taken him quite a few places.We've always gone self catering and have used translation cards.We carry a letter from the gp,have had no problems yet on an airline with the epipens.
I would take your own food on the plane if possible.We had a bowl of nuts plonked down in front of ds on an Air Canada flight once.

Have you seen the anaphylaxis campaigns website?

It is quite daunting at first but with planning it does get easier.

[Pimmpom]

We also take a letter from gp with us explaining about the epipen (not that anyone has picked up the epipen on xray ).

If you happen to be flying with first choice, you can phone the airline beforehand and request a nut free flight. They then do not sell any nuts and ask passengers not to eat their own.

We have family annual insurance from Tesco, and my ds nut allergy and asthma is covered.

HTH

[tatt]

we had insurance with Tesco and they were sensible about the nut allergy. However when we had to go back for more allergy tests they said they wouldn't cover anything relating to the allergy because we were waiting to see a consultant. Doesn't matter that the results make no appreciable difference since we already have epipens. If you're waiting to see a consultant and you want cover for that condition expect them to quote exorbitant amounts of money. Search mumsnet travel sections and you'll find other insurers who are good about pre-exisiting conditions.

We've given up holiday plans for Australia because I won't go without comprehensive insurance. If I pay for full insurance I can't afford the holiday Not only the nut allergy that caused problems, other minor conditions involved.

[Chandra]

Agree about the letter from the doctor for the Epipen, I have never been asked to show it but I'm sure there would be a time...

If the allergy is particularly severe, you may like to check with the airline whether they will be serving peanuts on board. EasyJet, although a disaster in many aspects, is fantastic for nut allergies, you only need to tell the head stewardess as you board that you have a child with peanut allergy, and they will not sell peanuts/nuts on board and will make an anouncement asking fellow passengers not to take their own out. The only question they will ask is if you carry Epipens (guess that that is to confirm severity and therefore the need of the special measures).

Peanuts are not difficult to avoid in Spain as they are rarely part of savoury dishes so you may need to concentrate in checking bread, cakes and pastries, but bear in mind that in most countries out of Britain severe food allergies are quite rare, and sometimes it's difficult to be taken seriously. If you are in doubt, order something else.

DS have so many allergies that we carry most of the food he will need (not because it doesn't exist in the country but because we don't want to waste our precious time trying to find DS's food in a place we are unfamiliar with). We carry a lunchbox with safe snacks and fruit so, if we find ourselves without any apropiate option in a restaurant at least DS has something to munch on, but that's rarely the case as most restaurants are more than happy to do something simple on request (like grilled chicken with chips -pollo a la plancha con patatas) if you explain your child is so allergic.

If you are going to Spain, and don't speak Spanish, print the following in a card:
---
Mi hija padece una alergia severa al cacahuete (y todo aquello que tenga, podria sugerir algun platillo que no los contenga, por favor?

Muchas Gracias
---
(My DD is severely allergic to peanuts, could you please suggest a dish that doesn't contain them?)


When we are in Spain we keep to paellas, grilled meats, chips and plenty of fruit that we get from the markets. We take so much care with his nutrition at home that we relax during the holidays in the knowledge that having a few days of repetitive food is not going to cause permanent damage

[Chandra]

I'm sorry, it should say:
-
Mi hija padece una alergia severa al cacahuete podria sugerir algun platillo que no los contenga, por favor?

Muchas Gracias

[soz1]

Thanks to all of you for the helpfull advice. Nice to know there are others out there with lessons learn't. Best Rergards
Soz