Sipping a cocktail by the pool, a faint itchy sensation creeps up your arms, exactly where you applied your new sun cream. After an hour or so, it’s a full-blown angry rash and you retreat indoors.
Summer holidays should be about kicking back and enjoying warm weather, but if you’re an allergy sufferer, it can be a season fraught with potential health hazards.
The prospect of hay fever flare-ups as grass pollen levels peak, reactions to the sunscreen that’s supposed to protect your skin and dining in restaurants where language barriers can make allergies difficult to manage can all cause stress in the run up to a sunshine getaway.
Ahead of your holiday, what steps can you take to ensure your hard-earned getaway isn’t blighted by minor or major allergies.
Sensitivity to sun cream
Dr Helen Wall tells the Daily Mail that reading the label carefully when buying your sunscreen can prevent skin irritation from taking over your next trip.
The Bolton-based GP explains how there is a difference between chemical sunscreen and physical/mineral sun cream.
‘It’s ‘light and easy to rub in usually, it doesn’t leave that white, thick cast that some sun creams do, so people prefer it generally in terms of cosmetics and usability,’ Dr Wall says.
Despite it feeling smoother on the skin and seeming more aesthetic, it could be the culprit guilty of causing irritation.
Dr Helen Wall reveals what holidaymakers need to do to avoid an allergic reaction to sun cream abroad
‘Unfortunately, it is more likely to cause irritation or allergy just from its chemical nature, and you need to apply it 15 to 20 minutes before you want it to work because it needs to soak in and then start to absorb the UV rays,’ the GP explains.
Despite concerns over the chemicals in this type of sun cream, Dr Wall emphasises, ‘I’d just like to say there’s no actual evidence that they’re harmful at all.’
As for mineral sun cream, this type tends to ‘sit on the skin and reflect or scatter the UV rays rather than absorbing them’ and contains ingredients such as Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.
‘They’re less likely to irritate because they’re not chemicals as such, so they are better for sensitive skin, and they work immediately after applying because they work by blocking out the rays’, Dr Wall advises.
The GP, a speaker for the Motivational Speakers Agency, recommends this type for holidaymakers who might suffer from eczema, rosacea and sun cream allergies.
She adds: ‘They can leave thick, white marks, which goes onto clothes so they’re not as popular. They are thicker in texture because, as you’d imagine, they need to block out the UV rays.’
What symptoms should I look out for?
‘A red, itchy rash, often where the cream has been applied, maybe burning or stinging sensation in the skin, small blisters, swelling, the rash appearing hours to days later, can still be from the sun cream,’ Dr Wall explains.
There is also a possibility of a ‘delayed reaction’ but usually it will show up ‘quicker than that’.
Being exposed to sunlight can make the reaction worse and can lead to the development of ‘photosensitivity’.
‘It’s often to do with the chemical UV filters like Oxybenzone, if it’s in sun creams, you don’t have to have all of the above symptoms for us to think that you’ve got a sensitivity to the sun cream,’ she says.
Mineral sun cream is less likely to cause irritation because the ingredients ‘are better for sensitive skin,’ according to the doctor
What should I do if I am sensitive to sun cream?
The GP emphasises that it is still important to protect yourself from the sun, even if you suspect you may be allergic to sun cream.
‘It’s still really important that you protect yourself from the sun, allergy or sensitivity shouldn’t be a get out clause for that,’ Dr Wall insists.
‘You may even be someone who’s more prone to developing a skin problem, like cancer later on, if you’ve got sensitive skin.’
Dr Wall recommends switching to a mineral sun cream if you’re using a chemical one, stay in the shade and avoid the midday sunshine.
Wearing a brimmed hat and keeping the sun off your face will also help.
Hay fever flare-ups abroad
Millions of Brits battle with hay fever, and it’s an allergy that affects 26 per cent of adults in the country.
It doesn’t always stop when you go abroad though, and sometimes, it may even get worse.
‘You can be fine in the UK and react even in a different part of the UK, because pollens vary from area to area,’ says Dr Wall. ‘But different countries can have different pollens, higher pollen counts, different seasons.’
A sunny destination may be home to new plant species that your immune system isn’t used to, which can ‘provide a hay fever type reaction,’ explains the GP.
The health expert says being in a hotter, drier climate can also increase exposure to pollen.
When travelling, holidaymakers may be exposed to different plant species their immune system isn’t used to, which could trigger a reaction. Pictured: A tree-lined street in Berlin, Germany
‘You’re often outdoors a lot more than you might be in the UK, so the longer you’re spending in the exposed environment where there’s pollen about, the more likely you are to develop symptoms,’ Dr Wall says.
‘You might not necessarily become suddenly allergic, you might be reacting to new allergens that your immune system hasn’t come across before.’
In the UK, many are impacted by tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen, with symptoms often flaring around March, April and May.
How can I tackle hay fever while on holiday?
The GP recommends starting medication ‘before your symptoms ideally’.
‘If you’re somebody who generally suffers with hay fever, I would always recommend starting your antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays, or even eye drops if you suffer badly with your eyes, three to four weeks before hay fever season starts,’ she says.
If you don’t wish to use medication, Dr Wall explains how there are other methods to reduce pollen exposure, like ‘sunglasses with side bits on’ to help keep particles out of eyes.
‘Shower if you’ve been outdoors, particularly for a long time, avoid keeping your clothes on the line outside,’ she adds.
Keeping track of the pollen count online can help too and can be a good indicator of when it might be best to stay indoors.
If you find yourself struggling with itchy eyes and sneezes somewhere remote without access to a pharmacy, techniques like covering your eyes with sunglasses and wearing a hat with a wide brim will help keep pollen away from your face.
‘Rinsing your eyes with clean water when you’ve been outdoors might help,’ says Dr Wall.
‘Putting a bit of petroleum jelly around the nostrils not too far up, just to trap that pollen and stop it travelling.’
She adds, ‘I would always advise people to take an antihistamine with them abroad, because you just never know when you when your immune system is going to meet something new that might give you some allergy symptoms.’
Handling food allergies on holiday
‘Careful preparation’ is key to dealing with food allergies on holiday, says NHS GP Dr Roger Henderson.
He acknowledges that ‘travelling with food allergies can feel daunting’ but insists it’s possible to ‘enjoy eating abroad safely’.
‘The key is never assuming that ingredients or cooking methods will be the same as they are in the UK,’ Dr Henderson explains.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to food vary depending on the severity. A mild reaction could be presented by ‘itching, hives, stomach pain, or swelling around the lips and eyes’.
Whereas a serious reaction, which is known as anaphylaxis, ‘can develop rapidly and become life-threatening,’ says the doctor.
NHS GP Dr Roger Henderson insists it’s possible to ‘enjoy eating abroad safely’ even with an allergy
‘Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include throat swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, collapse, or loss of consciousness.
Anyone experiencing those symptoms needs urgent medical attention and, if prescribed, should use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately.’
The medical professional, a spokesperson for Olbas products, recommends researching local cuisine and identifying dishes that often contain your specific allergen.
‘In some countries, nuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, or dairy products are used much more widely than people expect,’ the GP adds.
‘Allergens may also appear in sauces, marinades, soups, desserts, oils, or spice pastes where they aren’t obvious.’
However, cross-contamination may still be a ‘major issue’ for travellers.
This can occur when ‘shared cooking surfaces, utensils, fryers, or chopping boards’ go on to ‘still trigger reactions in sensitive individuals’.
Dr Henderson highlights street food vendors and buffets as being ‘particularly risky’ because of the nature of how things are prepared in ‘close proximity’ and ingredients being ‘unclear’.
He recommends always carrying emergency medication in hand luggage, ‘including antihistamines and, where prescribed, at least two adrenaline auto-injectors’.
‘Travel companions should also know where this medication is kept and how to use it,’ the doctor adds.
Street food vendors and buffets are ‘particularly risky’ because of the close proximity of the food, pictured: A fruit salad stand in Barcelona, Spain
How can I avoid food allergy issues abroad?
Carrying safe snacks when travelling is a good way to make sure you always have something at hand that is okay to eat, especially when on long flights or excursions where food options are limited.
Clear communication in restaurants is ‘essential,’ says Dr Henderson, adding, ‘If something doesn’t feel safe, it’s absolutely reasonable to avoid it.’
‘Learning a few simple phrases can make a huge difference too,’ the GP advises.
‘Even basic statements like “I am allergic to nuts,” “Does this contain milk?” or “I could become seriously ill if I eat this” can help communicate the severity of the situation.’
It’s also important to keep any travel companions in the loop so they are familiar with any allergies and what to do in an emergency.
‘For people with severe allergies, wearing a medical alert bracelet can be extremely useful if communication becomes difficult during a reaction,’ Dr Henderson adds.
Will my insurance cover my allergic reaction, and can I access health care abroad?
Dr Henderson recommends taking out travel insurance that specifically covers pre-existing allergies as well as emergency treatment abroad.
‘The reassuring news is that emergency healthcare is generally still available to foreign visitors, particularly for life-threatening situations,’ he says.
‘Hospitals abroad will usually provide urgent treatment regardless of nationality although the financial side can become complicated if someone doesn’t have appropriate travel insurance.’
The doctor recommends carrying safe foods with you abroad in case it’s hard to find allergen-safe options. Pictured: A busy food market in Madrid
The situation can vary, and in countries where healthcare is private, it’s possible the hospital may ask tourists to provide payment guarantees or insurance details before any non-emergency care is carried out.
If you have to be taken back to the UK for medical care, that can be ‘extremely expensive’ too.
‘This is why travel insurance is essential for anyone with allergies and travellers should always declare significant allergies or previous anaphylaxis when taking out a policy,’ explains Dr Henderson.
‘If pre-existing conditions aren’t disclosed properly, insurers may refuse to cover treatment costs later on.’