overseas school trips with allergies

[coral]

Has anyone been brave enough to let their allergic teens off on overseas school trips? DD (14) desperate to go on trip to US next year and I really want to let her go but having huge anxieties as it is so far away. She's severely allergic to milk so not the easiest of allergies to deal with but, on the plus side, at least there are no language issues in the States and they appear to be quite clued-up allergy wise. She is also very good at managing her allergy herself.

After reassurance/advice really - have/would you let your teen go and what should I be doing in advance to make sure she is as safe as possible. Will print out allergy cards for her to take, will pack all own food for plane, pack her off with at least 4 epipens and double check she is fully covered insurance wise. What else do you think I need to cover?

DD has a nut allergy, her friends were always brilliant when away on trips, they 'looked out' for her. DD has been on many school trips abroad and other exchange visits since the age of 11.

She has now travelled all over the world,to remote places and with no language. I think it it is harder for a parent than the child, I have to accept that she is careful, aware and now a responsible adult.

I believe in letting them manage their health from an early age, and she could control her asthma very well from the age of 6, though I had a small battle with school, but they saw sense in the end.

Show your daughter you have the confidence, in her to manage her allergies and she will accept that responsibility. After all she will have to one day!

I hope she enjoys the trip

Thanks for your replies - alibubbles it is very reassuring to hear that your dd has extensively travelled without any problems. I am in total agreement about letting them manage their health from an early age and, as dd has been allergic to milk since birth, she has never known any different and I have absolutely no worries about her having the confidence to deal with the allergies and to question everything as necessary. I am very cool and relaxed with her here as I know she is so sensible but then I also know that I am not that far away should she get into any difficulties! I know my reservations are just me uncharacteristically inwardly freaking out about the distance thing and that yes, in 4 years or less, she will probably want to upsticks and travel around the world anyway!

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the steroid tablets nottirednow - I will look into them but have not yet found a tablet dd can safely take because the majority of them tend to contain lactose. On the plus side I have found out today that they are self-catering themselves to a large extent on the trip so, as dd is quite a capable of finding her own way round a kitchen, will at least be able to cook her own meals if necessary!

Ds is also 14 and allergic to dairy and eggs with an epipen.
He has been on three school trips to France at different locations and has managed fine. The first couple of times I was very anxious, and contacted the accommodation to make sure they were aware of his problems. Teachers were very good at making sure he had something to eat . I sent snacks but most came back. Sometimes his meals were a bit boring (rice ham veggies and fruit for pudding) and he didn't have the "snail experience" but he enjoyed himself and survived without reaction. I felt more relaxed the third time, though still contact the teacher in charge separately to be absolutely sure they are aware of Ds.

Thanks nottirednow - I will look into the tablets.

Dujandoit - I really apperciate your message and am feeling more positive to hear that your DS has survived overseas with a dairy allergy although I think the only time my dd would have been positive about her allergies would have been as an excuse not to have to try the snails! Out of interest, what is the prognosis for your DS - DD (anaphylactic to dairy since birth) has been told that she will probably have to live with the allergy all her life now as there has never been any change to the severity with which she reacts to milk. Have you been advised any different?

Sorry I have not been able to reply sooner.
Ds has not had any revised prognosis and until 12 months ago was still reacting to even small amounts of dairy. But, about 6 months ago we discovered by accident that there was a change. He loves Walkers salt and vinegar crisps and we found that they had changed the recipe to include skimmed milk powder with a very very minor notification on the packet that had gone unnoticed. So he had been eating them for at least a couple of months...with no reaction. I then tried a drop of milk on his skin and later on his lip and again no reaction. A huge change as was extremely sensitive to both before. I intend to take him for retesting when he turns 15 as I have been told that changes can occur in their 7th and 14th years. I now have some hope that he may grow out of the allergies.
Also, he has recently been going to restaurants with groups of friends and choosing from the menu and explaining to staff about his allergies alone, something that 12 months ago I would have thought impossible. So far, so good and no reactions!!
Good luck to your Dd. It's such a worry for them (and us!).