Beyond Borders, Beyond Allergies: A Fictional Adventure

Allergy-Friendly International Travel
Fictional Adventure with 24 Tips & Information

Laura had always dreamed of seeing the world, but her severe peanut allergy made each trip feel like navigating a maze. This time, she set her sights on Mexico, a country bursting with rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and delicious cuisine. But with excitement came apprehension—she knew that traveling with her allergy would require meticulous preparation.^{18, 19, 20, 22}

Her planning began weeks before departure. Laura’s first step was to consult resources on traveling with food allergies. She read the FARE Tips sheet¹ for Mexico and discovered that EpiPens couldn’t be purchased in Mexico, ambulances might not carry them, and 911^{8, 21}was the country’s emergency number. Equipped with this knowledge, Laura knew she would need to bring multiple EpiPens and locate an emergency room/hospital near her hotel by using Google Maps and search for the hotel’s address and add “hospitals”. For example, if she was at 123 Main Street, she would type “123 Main Street, hospitals” into the search bar.

Laura also researched airlines,^{2,3, 4, 5, 23} focusing on how they managed food allergies. After narrowing her choices, she called her chosen airline.

“I have a severe peanut allergy,” she explained. “Can you accommodate me?”

The airline representative responded reassuringly: “We’ll ensure no peanuts are served on your flight. We will flag your disability on your reservation, provide an aisle seat and you’re also welcome to pre-board to clean your seating area.”

Relieved but cautious, Laura booked her early flight ⁶ and made sure her allergy was documented in her reservation.

Next, she turned her attention to communication ^{7, 10}. Laura downloaded a translation app and recorded audio messages in Spanish, preparing for situations where she might be too stressed—or too unwell—to speak clearly. She created two key messages:

“Tengo una alergia severa al maní. Por favor, asegúrese de que no haya contaminación cruzada.” (I have a severe peanut allergy. Please make sure there is no cross-contamination.)

And, for emergencies:

“Estoy teniendo una reacción alérgica. Por favor, llame a una ambulancia.” (I’m having an allergic reaction. Please call an ambulance.)

Laura tested the files repeatedly to ensure clarity and saved them in a folder on her smartphone, labeling them for easy access.

Her allergy alert cards were another important step.^{9, 15, 16, 17} She made sure they were clear and bold, including both Spanish terms for peanuts—maní and cacahuates—to ensure they’d be understood.

She also researched Mexican food extensively ¹². Laura learned that peanuts weren’t common in most traditional dishes, but she’d need to avoid specific regional snacks, such as peanut-covered candies and certain mole sauces that might include ground peanuts. She focused on nut-free dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers) and saved a list of safe options on her phone.

To learn if her allergy was required to be on a food label, she checked to see what the legal food labeling requirements ^{1, 12} were in Mexico

Laura also located an emergency room near her hotel.¹ Knowing where to go in case of a reaction gave her a sense of security.

When the day of her flight arrived, Laura packed her medical kit ¹³, which included four EpiPens, antihistamines, and her allergy action plan. She also packed her own snacks—granola bars, dried fruit, and crackers—to avoid relying on airline food.

At airport ¹⁴, Laura pre-boarded as planned, cleaned her seat with disinfectant wipes, and settled in for the journey. She kept her phone and medical kit easily accessible, ready for any situation.

Laura knew that airlines ²⁴ could not guarantee a peanut free flight or control other passengers and was relieved when after the flight announcement about peanuts all the passengers were supportful.

After landing in Mexico City, the vibrant energy of the bustling airport greeted her. Laura decided to test her audio files with a local to ensure they’d be understood. She approached a friendly-looking staff member at baggage claim.

“Hola, puedo pedirte un favor?” (Could you do me a favor?) she asked with a smile.

The man nodded. “Claro, ¿en qué puedo ayudarte?” (Of course, how can I help you?)

Laura played her first audio file: “Tengo una alergia severa al maní. Por favor, asegúrese de que no haya contaminación cruzada.” (I am severely allergic to peanuts. Please assure me there is no cross contamination.)

The man listened carefully and smiled. “Sí, está muy claro. Cualquier persona lo entendería,” he reassured her. (Yes, it’s very clear. Anyone would understand it.)

Encouraged, Laura played the second file: “Estoy teniendo una reacción alérgica. Por favor, llame a una ambulancia.”

This time, the man’s expression turned serious as he said, “Eso también está perfecto. Espero que no lo necesites, pero es una buena idea.” (That’s perfect too. I hope you don’t need it, but it’s a good idea.)

Grateful, Laura thanked him. “Muchas gracias. Me hace sentir más tranquila saber que funciona.” (Thank you so much. It makes me feel more at ease knowing it works.)

As her taxi navigated the vibrant streets of Mexico City, Laura reflected on her preparation. From studying recipes and creating audio files to packing extra EpiPens and locating an emergency room, every step she had taken gave her confidence.

This journey wasn’t just about exploring Mexico—it was about proving that her allergy didn’t have to limit her dreams.

Please note

All characters and events in this story are fictional
Story was written with ChatGPT AI assist
The information provided is intended solely for general knowledge and informational purposes.
This story is not a substitute for professional medical consultation.

Sources