Camping with allergies

Camping and caravan parks are a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

With the right planning and management, you can reduce risk and enjoy your trip!

Before your camping holiday, take time to prepare and research where you’re going and how to get there. It is also a good idea to plan for an emergency just in case. Preparing for an allergic reaction doesn’t mean it will happen, but you might manage it better if it does.

Emergency plan

Emergencies can be difficult to manage even when you are home so it may be helpful to think through what you would do if someone had anaphylaxis while you are on your holiday. Always follow your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Before you go on holiday (also encourage those you are travelling with):

• Do the ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for first aid (community) or refresher course.
• Practice using an adrenaline device training device and watch A&AA videos for proper positioning of person having anaphylaxis and administration of adrenaline devices.
• You may wish to find out where hospitals, urgent care centres, GP clinics, and pharmacies are along your route and near where you are staying.

ASCIA Action Plan and medications

Make sure you have enough medication for your trip:

• Take at least two adrenaline devices (such as Anapen® or EpiPen®) if prescribed.
• Other medications such as antihistamine, asthma reliver puffers.
• Check expiry dates and think about storage of adrenaline devices.
• Have a copy of your ASCIA Action Plan.
• When you arrive, show everyone where the medical emergency kit, adrenaline devices and ASCIA Action Plan are kept. Keep it in the same place while at the campsite so it can be reached quickly in an emergency.

Always have at least 1 adrenaline device and ASCIA Action Plan that can be reached quickly and easily by the person who has the allergy or the parent/carer looking after them, especially when leaving the campsite for activities such as swimming, bush walking, fishing.

Communication

• Consider wearing medical identification jewellery (especially if travelling on your own).
• Find out whether there is mobile coverage or is a satelline phone needed? As well as at the campsite itself, consider whether there are black spots for mobile reception while you are travelling there.
• Is there a landline or emergency phone at the campsite?
• Consider downloading the emergency plus app – for info go to How to call an ambulance.

Remote areas

In some rural and remote areas, emergency help may be delayed or not available. If a triple zero (000) operator were to advise you to make your own way to help, think about:

• What transport you have available (cars, caravan, etc).
• Who can drive?
• How would you get the person having anaphylaxis to the vehicle without standing or walking them?

Support during an emergency

• Is there someone who can go with the person having anaphylaxis?
• If you have children or others you care for with you, is there someone who could look after them if you had to leave?
• You may wish to write down and share your emergency plan with your travel group so everyone knows what to do.

Planning ahead

• Some people with food allergy prefer to do road trips in a campervan or caravan so they have their own kitchen.
• When choosing your caravan or camping options, remember to consider food storage, cooking facilities and availability of water for cleaning.
• Check where you can buy food along your route or close to where you are staying. Some regional or remote areas will not have the same range of foods available to purchase.

Plan and pack appropriate meals

• Bring pre-made or easy-to-cook meals and snacks you have eaten before. Use airtight containers with lids to keep food fresh and protected. Use permanent marker or stickers to label containers.
• Pack a portable cooler bag for snacks during activities.
• Consider preparing dehydrated food for convenience.
• Carry non-perishable snacks you have eaten before like muesli bars, instant noodles, dried fruit, cereals, and rice cakes.

Cooking and cleaning

• You may want to bring your own utensils, cutting board, plates, bowls, and cookware.
• Wash shared cooking gear with hot soapy water before use.
• If using a campground BBQ, cover it with heavy-duty foil (with vent holes) or a non-stick BBQ mat for a clean cooking surface.
• Use disposable wipes to clean picnic tables and hands if you are not able to wash your hands.
• Consider bringing a tablecloth to cover surface of shared picnic table.

• Choose a well-maintained campsite with open areas and fewer flowering plants. Avoid setting up your campsite under flowering trees, near standing water, or trash bins as these can attract insects.
• Try and avoid places with bee/wasp nests or ant mounds.
• Be aware around bodies of water such as lakes and damns as these areas often have wasps.

• Avoid campsites in areas where ticks are common.
• Be aware of tall grass or dense bushes where ticks are normally found.

• If you have a pollen/grass allergy and are not taking an intranasal corticosteroid spray (INCS), consider starting to use one at least two weeks before your holiday – speak with your doctor or pharmacist about this.
• Try to camp during low-pollen seasons, avoiding areas known for your allergen, or choose coastal or high-altitude locations. Use the AusPollen website/app to check daily pollen levels.