the strategies that peanut and nut-allergic consumers employ to remain safe when travelling abroad花生和泰勒说消费者使用的策略在国外旅游的时候仍然是安全的.pdfVIP

Barnett et al. Clinical and Translational Allergy 2012, 2:12 /content/2/1/12 RESEARCH Open Access The strategies that peanut and nut-allergic consumers employ to remain safe when travelling abroad 1 2 3 2,4* Julie Barnett , Neil Botting , M Hazel Gowland and Jane S Lucas Abstract Background: An understanding of the management strategies used by food allergic individuals is needed as a prerequisite to improving avoidance and enhancing quality of life. Travel abroad is a high risk time for severe and fatal food allergic reactions, but there is paucity of research concerning foreign travel. This study is the first to investigate the experiences of, and strategies used by peanut and tree nut allergic individuals when travelling abroad. Methods: Thirty-two adults with a clinical history of reaction to peanuts or tree nuts consistent with IgE-mediated allergy participated in a qualitative interview study. Results: Travel abroad was considered difficult with inherent risks for allergic individuals. Many participants recounted difficulties with airlines or restaurants. Inconsistency in managing allergen avoidance by airlines was a particular risk and a cause of frustration to participants. Individuals used a variety of strategies to remain safe including visiting familiar environments, limiting their activities, carrying allergy information cards in the host language, preparing their own food and staying close to medical facilities. Conclusions: Participants used a variety of allergen avoidance strategies, which were mostly extensions or modifications of the strategies that they use when eating at home or eating-out in the UK. The extended strategies reflected their recognition of enhanced risk during travel abroad.