I answered the 107 questions I have been asked most in the last four years. No jargon. No terminology. Just answers.
27. Can mast cell patients travel? Can they fly?
• This is very individual and dependent upon your personal health situation, your ability to manage bad reactions on your own, where you live and where you want to travel. I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel widely through exhaustive preparation.
• You should always talk to your care team when you are thinking about travel. You must have a detailed understanding about how to recognize when you are headed for trouble, what you should do if you get into trouble, and when you should pursue emergency care.
• Always carry rescue medications, your emergency protocol on provider letterhead, and a sheet listing your diagnoses, daily meds, rescue meds, and any special precautions. List over the counter medications as well.
• Make sure that all of your medications are legal in the country you are traveling to. Importantly, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is illegal in some countries.
• Get a fit to fly letter detailing what medications you need to bring onboard with you on letterhead from your doctor.
• Call the airline directly to describe your needs. If you need to use medical equipment during the flight, tell them when you call and have the model number/ serial number ready.
• Also notify the airline if you need them to refrigerate medication for you.
• If standing is a trigger, or you have difficulty lifting luggage or carrying your bags with you, ask for a wheelchair to meet you at check-in and take you through the gate. It is my experience that when bringing a lot of medications through experience, it is easier to do this when you are in a wheelchair being escorted by airport personnel.
• Identify safe foods at your destination. Many countries do not allow you to bring food in from another country. However, you can often bring solid food through the security to have on the plane.
• I premedicate heavily and many other mast cell patients who regularly fly also find that helpful. Speak with your providers about what protocol works best for you.
• Flying is unbelievably dehydrating. Hydrate well in the days before flying, the day of the flight, and while flying.
• Keep in mind that if the flight crew is uncomfortable with you flying, they can refuse to let you onboard. Emphasize that it is safe for you to to fly and that you have a fit to fly letter. If you are not able to manage a bad reaction alone, please do not fly alone.
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