Food allergies on vacation-there and back again

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 Apr;130(4):438-443. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.01.008. Epub 2023 Jan 20.

Abstract

Objective: Food allergy is an important public health concern that affects all facets of life, and travel is no exception. We sought to provide a scoping review regarding the literature pertaining to management of FA while traveling.

Data sources: Medline and Embase were queried for English-language articles published in the last 20 years containing "food allergy" and "travel".

Study selections: The search produced 83 references which were reviewed. After removal of duplicates and irrelevant material, 23 references that discussed travel and FA remained, 13 of which were conference abstracts published as supplemental material.

Results: Priorities for consideration by patient-families and their allergist-immunologist include concern for reactions away from home, proximity to emergency medical services, risk for various methods of travel including potential for cross-contact exposure resulting in symptoms, and considerations for international travel including language barriers.

Conclusion: Patients with FA must use careful planning and preparation to ensure access to safe food and emergency medications at all times while away from home.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Food
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / epidemiology
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Travel