"Sorry sorbet, I'm sticking with Tip Tops" My 9 Top Tips for Holidaying with Allergies
- bigfatslab
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Just thought I'd share some of my top tips for holidaying with allergies. We've been dealing with multiple, severe allergies for 9 years now and have had to learn a few lessons the hard way. Hope you find this helpful...
1. Don't bother with sorbet
Unless I see it coming from a brand new tub with a brand new spoon taken from a dishwasher (doesn't have to be brand new), with a server in a brand new glove or freshly washed hands...I'm not taking the risk.
The amount of times we've had allergic reactions from trying to enjoy one of life's simple holiday pleasures. I hate to be defeatist, but i'm going to pick my battles. It's not worth it. Sorry sorbet, I'm sticking with tip tops.
2. Go self-catered for a less stressful experience
I really struggle with this at times because there's nothing I'd like more than to ditch the catering for a week and delegate thinking about cooking for allergies to someone else. But, sadly while there are some very good hotels out there we've found on the whole sticking to self- catered accommodation is less stressful for us.
We try to get a break in other ways like buying some nice ready meals for us parents to enjoy after the kids have been catered for (appreciate this is harder to do when abroad or if you also have allergies!!) or making a simple meal plan beforehand can mean there's less thinking to be done when actually on holiday.
3. Take a spare paper prescription with you when travelling abroad
This can be useful if you ever need to get some medical help or need to replace medication for any reason (broken bottle of antihistamine for instance!). Having things written down can help with language barriers and to make sure you get the right medication.
We've also found it useful when going through airport security with bottles of medication larger than a 100ml limit to have a prescription with you.
4. Don't throw caution to the wind when holidaying
Such a temptation to relax and just go with the flow. Do not. You will regret it. Always ask to see the full ingredients. Don't assume ever. It will make an ass out of you and me ;)
5. If in doubt it's perfectly fine to politely pass
I find this one hard at times. People can be so hospitable and kind especially towards children. It can feel really rude to reject, but it's much better to politely pass unless you are absolutely sure it's safe. Even cute little tiny complimentary sorbets. Especially cute little complimentary sorbets (see tip number 1) avoid.
6. Pack some allergy friendly pre-packed snacks for travelling
Guaranteed as soon as you are anywhere the kids will need a snack and there's nothing like that feeling of powerlessness when in a foreign land with no safe snack options to hand. Try to help yourself avoid this situation by always keeping some pre-packed safe snacks in your bag whatever you get up to on holiday.
*Also very handy to throw in their direction as a quick breakfast snack in the early hours when the children are awake and parents don't want to be.
7. Carry your medication on you in a little bum bag or ruck sack
This kind of advice can feel like teaching people who live with allergies to suck eggs but we've really benefited from having medication close to hand and not at the bottom of a very tightly packed rucksack full of...
Time is precious when dealing with a reaction so make the medication easy to access.
<side note- all the cool kids now wear bum bags for some reason so embrace>
8. Try to have fun and laugh as much as possible
I promise this is not just an extra tip designed to take my top tips into the all important magic odd number, laughter really is good for the soul! It's a lot to deal with when living with allergies and there's rarely any let up...like...ever so be kind to yourself and think of ways to have fun- safely. Do things that make you happy :) with the people who bring you joy.
Manage your expectations and be grateful
Anyone who has kids knows a holiday is not actually a break. In the same way when living with allergies you can't really ever have a holiday from them. And that's hard. But there are things we can do to make life a little easier. And being grateful for all the good in life is one of them. Regularly take time to stop to think of all the things we have to be grateful for. This is easier to do when out of the daily grind and just like tip number 8 is really good for the soul :)
What are your top tips for holidaying with allergies? Any nuggets you've found to help have a restful and stress free holiday?
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