Earlier this month, our newest doctor, Dr. Yoon, discussed some of the basics around preparing to travel when having food allergies. We received some tremendous feedback from the post, specifically on the need to be careful when consuming water and produce when traveling abroad. So, we wanted to extrapolate on that issue just a bit.

In addition to being careful with the water and fresh produce, depending on the country you are visiting and the food you are trying, you will also need to be conscious of items in cans and bottles. Now, anyone that has had food allergies for an extended period of time does this on a consistent basis already. However, when traveling to different countries, it is important to understand that not all governments have a strict Food and Drug Administration policy. This means that how foods are labeled, specifically the standards regarding types of ingredients, the quantity of those ingredients, and the way the product is prepared, are not as stringently enforced as they are in the United States. So, while local street markets should put you on high alert, don’t let your guard down just because you are in a normal grocery store.

Some may be reading this and become extremely worried about leaving your home, much less leaving the country. That is the last thing we want to do. Vacationing abroad is something millions of people with allergies and asthma do every year with no ramifications whatsoever. However, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs as medical professionals if we didn’t remind you that just because you go on vacation, that does not mean your allergies and asthma go on vacation also. A visit to a doctor to discuss what you need to keep in mind, and recommendations they have based on your medical history, will make all the difference.

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Allergy & Asthma Care Centers has been providing high-quality, comprehensive allergy and asthma care to the Washington DC area for 15 years. Our practice features state-of-the-art care for allergy and asthma sufferers, and offers a variety of highly specialized procedures that utilize the latest medical technology.