About Allergies: How to Fly Safely with a Peanut Allergy

If you can't see this email, click here

Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Many people are concerned about experiencing a medical emergency while traveling on an airplane. After all, there is no way to seek medical care while at 30,000 feet, and a person has little to no control over their immediate surroundings while on an airplane. Unless a person is lucky enough to be traveling on an airplane with a physician or other healthcare professional on board, a medical emergency could result in tragedy. People with food allergies often feel helpless in situations where they are not in total control of their meals, and this is even more so the case on airplanes due to the lack of availability of medical care. Since peanuts are a common snack food on airplanes, people with peanut allergy have to be particularly careful during air travel. Unfortunately, it is relatively common for people with peanut allergy to have allergic reactions on airplanes as a result of contact with peanuts. Taking a few small steps before you fly can reduce the chances that you'll develop an allergic emergency at 30,000 feet. Safely Fly with Peanut Allergy Flying on an airplane is a particularly dangerous time for a person who is allergic to nuts. Peanuts and tree nuts are commonly served on airplanes -- and given the small space inside an airplane, accidental exposure to nuts eaten by a nearby fellow passenger is possible. In addition, medical resources are limited while flying on an airplane, so a person who is experiencing an emergency as a result of peanut or tree nut allergy is at greater danger than a person who is not flying in an airplane. Therefore, it is important to identify ways to reduce a person's accidental exposure to peanuts and tree nuts, and therefore reduce the chance than an allergic reaction will occur as a result. Search Related Topics:  peanut allergy  tree nut allergy  food allergy treatment All About Peanut Allergies Peanut allergy is the most common form of food allergy in school age children and adults. Milk and egg allergy are more common in infants and toddlers, but allergies to these foods are commonly outgrown by school age. Recent studies show that in North America and the United Kingdom, 1% of children have peanut allergy. Search Related Topics:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Treating an Allergic Reaction If a reaction to the food is present, the person should seek immediate emergency medical care. Most patients with food allergies should carry a self-injectable form of epinephrine, or adrenaline (such as an Epi-pen, with them at all times. These medications can be prescribed by a physician and the patient should know how to use this device before an allergic reaction occurs. Search Related Topics:  allergies  allergist  allergy testing Food Allergies Discussion of the most common types of food allergies, including symptoms, treatment and avoidance strategies. Rare forms of food allergies and non-allergic food intolerances are also described. Related Searches Food Allergy Food Allergies Allergies Symptoms Allergy or Allergies Peanut Allergy Featured Articles Allergies in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies   More from About.com 10 Easy Ways to Look Thinner Don't wait until you've lost those first pounds to make these simple, slimming changes. Read more...> Create a Shared Photo Stream Sharing your photo stream with friends and family is a great way to keep in touch. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies   Follow me on: Advertisement