Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE
Author: Dr Sarah Jarvis, MBE, General Practitioner (GP)

Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.

Part of the fun of holidays is exploring new places and trying new activities. But about 1 in 1000 people have anaphylaxis-type reactions – the most serious kind of allergic reaction. So, if you’re one of the tens of thousands affected in the UK, you may be wary about unfamiliar surroundings.

But having allergies certainly doesn’t mean you have to stay home, wrapped in a protective bubble. In fact, with a little forward planning and a few precautions, you can relax, unwind, and enjoy your time away.

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What is an Allergy?

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a substance it mistakenly considers harmful, known as an allergen. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, insect stings, and medications.

When exposed to an allergen, the immune system produces antibodies, which can lead to symptoms ranging from mild irritation, such as sneezing or itchy eyes, to severe reactions like swelling or difficulty breathing. Each person’s response to allergens can vary, depending on their sensitivity and the level of exposure.

Some of these are minor inconveniences, and a simple nose spray or eye drops keep symptoms under control. But if you have anaphylaxis, the tiniest exposure to something you’re allergic to could bring on a life-threatening reaction.

The sort of precautions you’ll need to take will depend on the type of allergy you have. People in the UK are more likely to have an allergy than almost anywhere else in the world – in fact, almost half of people (44%) have some sort of allergy, and almost half of them have more than one allergy.

Whatever type of allergy you have, check whether you need to declare your condition on your travel insurance – failure to do so could mean any treatment isn’t covered. And do take out travel insurance, even if you’re travelling within Europe.

READ MORE: Allergy Travel Insurance

Most Common Allergies

Allergies can affect people in countless ways, and understanding the most common types is an important step in managing them effectively – especially when travelling. Below, we'll explore some of the most frequently experienced allergies and what you need to know about them.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is common – it affects between 1 in 5 and 1 in 2 people. The medical name for hay fever is seasonal allergic rhinitis:

  • Rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nose, which is a common symptom of hay fever. However, hay fever doesn’t just stop there—it can also affect your eyes and throat, causing itchiness, redness, and irritation. In some cases, it can even worsen asthma symptoms, making it harder to breathe and increasing discomfort during high pollen seasons.
  • The condition is called allergic rhinitis because it’s triggered by an allergic reaction to pollen. Grass pollen is the most common culprit, but some people may also have allergies to tree or weed pollen. These tiny particles are carried through the air, and exposure can lead to an overreaction of the immune system, resulting in the classic symptoms of hay fever.
  • It’s termed seasonal allergic rhinitis because symptoms usually occur during specific times of the year when pollen counts are high. In the UK, grass pollen levels tend to peak between May and July, while tree pollen is most prevalent between March and May. Weed pollen, on the other hand, can linger throughout spring and summer and typically drops in early autumn. This seasonal variation is why many experience their worst symptoms during particular months.

If you’re travelling abroad, pollen levels may be higher at different times of the year, depending on the climate and destination. So, it’s worth taking your hay fever medication with you, just in case. Wrap-around sunglasses can reduce eye exposure to pollen and a dab of Vaseline under your nose can help protect your nostrils. Once you return to your accommodation, shower, and wash your hair to remove pollen.

It’s also a good idea to check pollen levels where you’re going. Pollen levels tend to peak in the morning and late afternoon/early evening on warm days. However, if it’s cloudy the pollen can hang around. Likewise, in warmer countries, pollen levels may stay higher at night. Avoid areas with a lot of grass or trees when levels are high.

Asthma

Asthma affects about 5.4 million people in the UK – 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 11 children. It’s often due to allergy – asthma, like hay fever and eczema, tends to run in families, and if you or other family members have one condition, you’re more likely to develop another.

Asthma affects the smaller airways of your lungs, causing them to narrow and reduce airflow. This can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. You may find that your symptoms are worse at night or in the early mornings – if you’re waking at night because of your asthma symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor.

The mainstay of treatment is inhalers – usually a combination of:

  • A ‘reliever,’ which opens the airways by relaxing the walls of the small airways; and
  • A ‘preventer,’ which reduces inflammation in the airways; or
  • A combination inhaler that acts as both a reliever and preventer.

You must take your preventer inhaler regularly, even if you don’t have asthma symptoms. The effect of the preventer on inflammation builds up over time, so you need to take it regularly for the best effect.

The severity of asthma symptoms varies between people, and at different times for the same person. You may have triggers that make your asthma worse – pollen, colds, pets, pollution or even hormone changes.

So even if your asthma is well controlled and you rarely have symptoms, changes in temperature, pollution or other triggers could mean you’re prone to an asthma attack when you’re on holiday. Make an appointment with your nurse or doctor a few weeks before you go to make sure you’re on the right treatment for you and know what to do if your asthma gets worse while you’re away.

Remember, Asthma is a condition you should declare when purchasing travel insurance. For more tips on how to avoid problems with asthma when you’re on holiday, you can read my top tips.

Food Allergies

Food Allergies

The most common food allergies in the UK are:

  • Dairy/cow’s milk
  • Eggs
  • Fish (cod, haddock, pollock, salmon and tuna are the commonest culprits)
  • Food Additives – sulphites (including sulphur dioxide) and benzoates (including benzoic acid)
  • Peanuts
  • Sesame
  • Shellfish (such as crab, lobster, prawns, and shrimp)
  • Soy
  • Tree nuts (including walnut, almond, cashew, Brazil, hazelnut, and pistachio)
  • Wheat

Depending on which part of your immune system engages in your reaction, you could have a severe, almost immediate reaction (anaphylaxis – see below) or a milder reaction, with dry, red, or itchy skin; tummy pain and diarrhoea; and feeling or being sick.

Food intolerance is different from food allergy – it doesn’t involve your immune system and is never life-threatening. However, many people find certain foods make them feel bloated or cause tummy pain and/or diarrhoea.

If you have ever had an anaphylactic reaction to a food, you need to take advice from your specialist on what steps to take – for instance, as well as the food that triggers your reaction, you may need to avoid other foods which you have a high chance of being allergic to. You’ll also need to take some steps in advance to make sure you can identify and avoid any exposure to your triggers.

If you have a food intolerance or a milder allergy, it’s worth keeping a food diary to try and identify your triggers. It’s still possible to enjoy new foods in the country you’re travelling to but do look at ingredients in supermarkets and take a translation app so you can check with restaurant staff to ensure any dishes you choose are free from ingredients you’re allergic to.

Bite and Sting Allergies

If you have an allergy to insect bites or stings, it’s essential to take precautions, particularly when travelling to areas where insects are more prevalent. Allergic reactions to bites and stings can range from mild discomfort to severe, potentially life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis.

Wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, and avoiding areas where insects are common, such as stagnant water or heavily wooded spaces, can significantly reduce the risk of being bitten or stung.

If you are stung or bitten and experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction — including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a rapid drop in blood pressure — seek medical help immediately.

Remember to communicate your allergy to healthcare professionals as soon as possible so they can provide the right treatment promptly. Through careful planning and awareness, managing bite and sting allergies is entirely possible, giving you the freedom to travel with peace of mind.

READ MORE: Managing Bites and Stings on Holiday

Medication Allergies

Medication allergies can be a concerning issue for many travellers, but with the right precautions, they can be managed effectively. A medication allergy occurs when your immune system reacts abnormally to a drug, triggering symptoms that can range from mild – such as rashes or itching – to severe, including difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis.

Here are some key steps to consider when managing medication allergies when on holiday:

Medical ID: Always carry a list of medications you are allergic to and inform your travel companions or healthcare providers if an emergency arises. Use a Medical ID bracelet or smartphone feature to communicate allergies and medical conditions quickly in case of an emergency.

READ MORE: What is a Medical ID?

Medicines: If you need to travel with essential medicines, ensure they are clearly labelled, and bring a copy of your prescription alongside a letter from your doctor explaining your condition.

READ MORE: Travelling with Medications

Research Your Destination: When planning your trip, research the availability of medical care at your destination and find out if your regular medications have equivalent alternatives there. This foresight can reduce any risks and help you enjoy your travels with greater ease.

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Anaphylaxis

Food isn’t the only – or even the most common – cause of anaphylaxis. The most widely reported triggers are insect stings (especially from wasps and bees); peanut and tree nut allergies; other foods; and some medicines (including antibiotics and painkillers). About half a million Brits have had an anaphylactic reaction to insect stings and almost a quarter of a million to nuts.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis come on very quickly, usually within minutes of exposure to something you’re allergic to. They include swelling of the lips, throat, and tongue, which can make it hard to breathe; wheezing, shortness of breath, and hoarseness; a rapidly spreading, very itchy pink rash like nettle rash; palpitations; feeling or being sick; and light-headedness or feeling faint. If untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to confusion, collapse, and even death.

If you’ve ever been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, you’ll have to avoid even the slightest exposure to whatever you’re allergic to, usually for life. You’ll also need to always carry an adrenaline injector with you – and ideally, make sure that whoever you’re with knows how to use it in case you’re not able to during an attack. You’ll also need an allergy action plan, which you should use as soon as you have any suspicion you’ve been exposed to a trigger.

For full details on steps to take to maximise the chance of a trouble-free holiday if you have anaphylaxis, read my top tips on travelling with allergies.

READ MORE: How to Find Medical Care Abroad

Living with allergies can feel overwhelming at times, but with the right preparation and support, you can lead a safe and fulfilling life. By understanding your triggers, carrying your medication, and creating a robust allergy action plan, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with allergic reactions.

Remember to communicate openly with those around you, especially when travelling or in unfamiliar situations, so they can assist if needed. Anaphylaxis is serious, but with vigilance and care, you can confidently manage your condition and focus on enjoying life’s experiences.

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Single Trip insurance is for one-off, individual trips and will cover your specified travel dates. This is usually up to 45 days; however, some insurance providers can cover up to 94 days. If you’re not a frequent traveller, single trip cover is a great option and will likely be cheaper than an annual multi-trip cover.

If you travel 2 or more times a year, annual trip cover may very well save you money. The maximum duration of any trip will always be specified and will vary by provider. But don't worry, when you get a quote, we'll ask you what your maximum trip length is and only show you quotes that match!

“Pre-existing” refers to any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received before applying for a travel insurance policy. For some conditions, we'll need to know if they have ever been present, whilst, for others, we need to know if they occurred within a certain period

It’s easy to tell us about your medical conditions! After you've provided your trip details and answered some medical history questions, you can add your pre-existing conditions, one by one, for each traveller on your policy. You'll only need to enter your details once; it's all online, and there's no need to call or provide details of your conditions in writing.

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