Moving Abroad With Allergies: What You Need To Know

Moving somewhere new can be challenging at the best of times, but if you have allergies it can be even more of a hassle. Whether you’ve got a slight allergy to peanuts or an extreme allergy to shellfish, it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything in your power to protect yourself.

In this article, we’ll cover some top tips to help you move abroad with confidence, no matter what your allergies may be. We’ll also talk about how international health insurance may help you to protect your life and health abroad.

Common allergies around the world

It’s hard to say exactly how many people have allergies, but it’s fair to say allergies are very common. Anywhere between 30–50% of people around the world could have at least one allergy. Allergies are also becoming more common, with the proportion growing by about 5% every year.

The most common allergy is known as allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which may affect up to 49% of the world. Hay fever is a minor form of allergy that causes inflammation to the nasal tract when someone is exposed to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites or mould.

There are also many other common forms of allergy that can be divided into several types. These include food allergies, drug allergies, environmental allergies and touch allergies.

Food allergies

Food allergies are fairly common, with around 11% of adults being allergic to at least one type of food. Some of the most common food allergies include:

Milk

4.7%

Shellfish

2.5%

Fish

2.4%

Peanuts

Wheat

1.3%

Eggs

Tree nuts

Lupin

Soy

0.3%

Sesame

0.2%

Is a food allergy the same as an intolerance?

No, a food allergy is not the same as a food intolerance.

Whereas a food allergy triggers a response in the immune system, an intolerance will only affect the digestive system. Therefore, while an intolerance may lead to uncomfortable digestive issues, only a food allergy can lead to an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis – a potentially life-threatening event.

Fortunately, cases of anaphylaxis caused by food allergies are rare and decreasing around the world, with only around 0.3% of food allergy-related anaphylaxis leading to death. This is thanks to new awareness and safety initiatives that aim to reduce the likelihood of food allergy sufferers coming into contact with their allergens.

Drug allergies

Drug or medicine allergies are another common form of allergy, affecting up to around 10% of the world. Any form of drug can theoretically cause an allergic reaction, with some of the most common allergies including:

Penicillin

10%

Opioids

Sulphonamides

Contrast agents

NSAIDs/Aspirin

0.9%

Having said that, many cases of drug allergies may be over-reported. In other words, a person may wrongly believe they are allergic to a type of drug, while the truth is they may have grown out of their allergy, or were never allergic in the first place.

This is particularly true of the antibiotic penicillin, which is reported as the most common drug allergy in the world with a rate of around 10%. The actual figure may in fact be closer to 1%.

It’s also common among users of opioids, who may experience a form of pseudoallergy. This is when the body demonstrates all or most of the symptoms of an allergic reaction without actually triggering an immune response.

What happens if you need a prescription when living abroad?

Our guide explains everything about pharmacies overseas

Environmental allergies

Many people are allergic to common elements and objects found in their environments. Hay fever, which is an allergy to pollen, is a form of environmental allergy and the most common allergy in the world.

Asthma can also be triggered by environmental allergies such as pollen, pet hair or dust mites. These triggers can cause the airways to become inflamed and narrow, triggering an asthma attack. This type of asthma is often referred to as allergic asthma.

Other common forms of environmental allergies may include allergies to air pollution, insect bites and stings and mould spores. All in all, around 7% of people in the world have some form of environmental allergy.

Touch allergies

Touch allergies are very common, but tend to produce a more manageable reaction in sufferers, making them more of an irritation rather than a life-threatening condition.

Touch allergies may sometimes be called contact dermatitis and occur when a person’s skin comes into contact with a certain irritant. This contact can cause a form of eczema, making the skin dry, cracked and itchy, and producing a rash. Contact dermatitis may affect as many as 15–20% of people, although not all cases are due to an allergic reaction.

Common irritants that may cause an allergic reaction through touch include cosmetics, certain types of metal (especially nickel and cobalt), rubber and latex, soaps and detergents, certain types of textiles or textile dyes, glues, and certain types of plant.

It’s hard to know what to expect when moving overseas

We look at some common disadvantages and how to overcome them

What to do when moving abroad with allergies

If you are planning to move abroad, it’s important to understand:

Whether you have any allergies
How strongly those allergies affect you
Your risk of exposure in your new country
What you need to do in case of an allergic reaction
How you’ll access medical help

Remember, some allergic reactions can be fatal, but there are many steps you can take to avoid exposure to allergens, or to protect your life if you experience an allergic reaction.

This is why it is absolutely crucial to prepare before moving abroad.

1/ Understand your allergies

The first thing you must do is to understand whether you have any allergies and how they affect you. Knowing this will help you to avoid allergens throughout your life and respond in case you are exposed.

Before departing to a new country, you may want to consider taking an allergy skin test. This is a medical procedure that should be performed by a doctor. The doctor will administer small amounts of common allergens to your skin and make a small prick, then wait to see if you develop an allergic reaction.

If you are interested in taking an allergy skin test, you should speak to your GP. They will be able to refer you to a specialist allergy clinic. You may also choose to contact a private allergy clinic on your own if you prefer.

Be mindful of cultural differences

Remember, different countries have different approaches when it comes to allergies.

For instance, in many countries, it is a legal requirement for restaurants and other businesses to disclose common allergens in their food, and for pre-packaged food to include allergy information (although even in these countries, there’s no guarantee that all allergy information will be disclosed). It’s also becoming increasingly common for servers at food businesses to ask whether you have allergies when you are ordering.

However, you may find many countries have few or no legal guidelines when it comes to allergy information. It may therefore fall on you to disclose information about allergies to food servers, to understand the ingredients in your food and to avoid situations where you may be exposed to allergens.

Integrating into a foreign culture isn’t easy

Read how to ease the transition in our guide to culture shock

2/ Know how to communicate your allergies

Depending on the type and severity of your allergies, it’s important to know how to communicate your needs to the people around you.

If you are intending to live in a foreign country, this may mean learning to communicate your allergies in another language. Remember, you may need to be prepared to communicate with doctors, paramedics, pharmacists and people who serve you food.

When you first arrive in a foreign country, you should consult a GP to ensure your allergies are properly recorded on your medical file. This ensures that, if you are taken to hospital unconscious, you will not be prescribed medications you are allergic to.

Some people use physical indicators to communicate their allergies. Some get tattoos, while others wear medical bracelets and necklaces. These are designed to ensure that paramedics and other medical staff will know of their allergies in an emergency.

It can also be helpful to add important medical information and emergency contact details to the lock screen or medical ID feature on your phone, so first responders can access key details quickly if needed.

3/ Be prepared

If you have an allergy, it’s important to always be prepared to experience an allergic reaction. For many people, this means carrying an EpiPen.

What is an EpiPen?

An EpiPen is an auto-injection device that delivers a single dose of epinephrine (adrenaline). It is designed to be used in cases of severe allergic reactions. The adrenaline helps to counteract the symptoms of an allergic reaction by constricting blood vessels, opening airways and reducing blood pressure.

An EpiPen is not a cure for allergic reactions. It is designed to reduce the immediate effects of an allergic reaction, giving you enough time to seek medical attention. You should always visit an emergency room after using an EpiPen, even if you start to feel better.

EpiPens are prescription-only medications. If you are at risk of severe allergic reactions, a doctor may prescribe you an EpiPen. You should carry two EpiPens with you at all times. They are designed to be easy to administer yourself, or for someone else to administer for you, and should be used immediately after contact with a known allergen.

You should also know how to access your nearest emergency room and the number to call should you need an ambulance.

Remember to be vigilant when it comes to informing the people around you about your allergies. Make sure the people you are travelling or living with understand the causes and symptoms of your allergic reactions, and know what to do in case of an exposure.

Checklist: Moving abroad with allergies

Here’s a quick checklist of things you should prepare if you’re thinking about moving abroad with allergies:

Medical prep

Book a review with your GP or allergy specialist
Make sure your allergies are documented clearly
Ask for copies of medical records / test results
Request a letter explaining your condition and treatment
Check prescription validity abroad

Medication

Take enough medication for your first few months
Carry medication in original packaging
Pack antihistamines / inhalers / adrenaline auto-injectors if prescribed
Learn the generic names of your medication

Research your destination

Understand local pollen seasons and climate
Check common food allergens in local cuisine
Research air quality / pollution levels
Check healthcare access and pharmacy standards
Find nearby hospitals / clinics

Practical life admin

Learn allergy phrases in the local language
Update emergency contacts
Check airline allergy policies
Understand your health insurance cover abroad

It’s important to know how to access local healthcare

Read our guide for expats on accessing local healthcare

What to do if you have an allergic reaction abroad

An allergic reaction is a severe and sometimes life-threatening event. If you know you have been exposed to an allergen or start to develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should take immediate action.

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction (analphylaxis)?

The type and severity of an allergic reaction will vary depending on the severity of your allergy and the type and quantity of the allergen you have been exposed to.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear suddenly and progress rapidly. They tend to include:

Swelling of the throat and tongue
Difficulty breathing or breathing fast
Difficulty swallowing
A feeling of tightness in the throat
Hoarse voice
Feeling tired or confused
Feeling faint or dizzy
Fainting
Skin that feels cold to the touch
Blue, grey or pale skin, lips and tongue – for people with black and brown skin, this may be localised to the palms and soles of the feet
A swollen, itchy rash

As soon as you or someone you know starts to show symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should call paramedics or drive to the nearest emergency room if safe to do so. If you have an EpiPen, administer it immediately. If symptoms do not improve after five minutes, administer a second dose.

If you have been stung by an insect, try to remove the sting. If you can, lie down and raise your legs (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side). If you’re struggling to breathe, remain in an upright position.

What actually is health?

And how does insurance protect it?

Why is international health insurance important if you have allergies?

If you’re moving to a foreign country, it’s important to think about your health. This is especially true if you have allergies. Having an allergic reaction in a foreign country can be a scary and potentially life-threatening experience, so you’ll want to be sure you have access to the best possible medical care when you need it.

That’s what international health insurance is for. With international health insurance, you can be sure you’ll always have access to the best medical care.

Can I get international health insurance with William Russell if I have allergies?

When you take out international health insurance, we’ll ask you to declare any known allergies. It’s important to be honest about these allergies. If you are unsure about any allergies, you should consult your GP – they will be able to tell you about any allergies listed on your medical records, and may offer you an allergy test to check for any unknown allergies.

Most mild or occasional allergies that can be managed with over-the-counter medication usually won’t affect your health insurance.

The same goes for most food allergies, as long as you know what triggers them and can avoid those foods safely.

Some allergies count as a form of pre-existing condition. This is true for serious allergies, i.e. those that could lead to a severe allergic reaction. If you have experienced an allergic reaction in the past that required you to seek medical attention, or if you have been prescribed an EpiPen, you will need to tell us about this.

We’ll usually ask about:

The type of allergy you have, including what triggers it
What your symptoms are like, and how often they happen
How stable your allergy is and whether it’s likely to change over time
How you manage it, including any treatments you use
Whether you need to see a doctor regularly or have needed medical care in the past
Whether your job might cause or worsen your allergy

In some cases, we may need to exclude certain allergies from your insurance policy, or we may not be able to provide you with health insurance at all.

But in many cases, we will be able to provide full coverage for any allergies you might have.

What does my coverage include?

This will depend on the level of cover you choose, so be sure to read your policy wording carefully. Nonetheless, all of our international health insurance policies will cover you throughout your coverage zone for certain treatments related to allergies, including:

Paramedic and ambulance call-outs
Treatment in a private or public hospital after an allergic reaction
Emergency medical evacuations if you require urgent transport to another region or country
The cost of medications related to your allergy, including antihistamines and EpiPens, when prescribed by a doctor and purchased at a licensed pharmacy

This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Allergies and allergic reactions can vary widely from person to person, and symptoms may require professional assessment and treatment.

If you have concerns about allergies or experience a severe or unexpected reaction, you should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions on moving abroad with allergies

Can I move abroad if I have severe allergies?

Yes, many people do successfully with the right planning, medication access, and emergency care awareness.

Can hay fever get worse when living abroad?

Hay fever can happen anywhere there is pollen, grass, weeds, or mould spores.

New climates, longer pollen seasons, unfamiliar plants, and pollution can sometimes make hay fever symptoms worse, and in some cases they may start for the first time if you are exposed to new plants or environmental triggers.

However, some people also experience significant relief after moving abroad. This can depend on where you’re moving to. For example, some coastal areas have lower pollution levels than urban areas, and hotter climates can also reduce pollen levels.

Should I tell my new doctor about my allergies straight away?

Absolutely. Make allergies one of the first things on your medical record.

Can I get my allergy medication overseas?

Often yes, but brand names vary and some medications require different prescriptions.

Should I bring extra medication when I move?

It is usually wise to bring extra medication with you, especially while settling in and registering with local healthcare providers.

Will my allergies get worse in another country?

Sometimes climate, pollen, humidity, pollution, or diet changes can affect symptoms.

Different countries have different types of healthcare systems

Learn more about different types of healthcare systems globally

Protect your health abroad

With international health insurance, you can start your new life abroad with confidence.

At William Russell, we’ve been providing international health insurance to expats like you for over 30 years. If you’re thinking of moving abroad and concerned about your allergies, trust a health insurance provider who can give you access to the best-quality medical care worldwide.

Speak to our friendly, award-winning team today to see if our policies could be right for you.

Terms & conditions apply to our insurance products and services. You can find full details of what our plans cover (and what they don’t cover) in our plan agreements.

Find out more about what our international health insurance covers

Learn More

How To Prepare For Life Abroad When You Have Allergies

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