Trying to Find Allergy Safe Food at the Airport

I’m one of those fliers who likes to arrive 2 hours early for my flight. Today, the TSA line was pretty empty – apparently Wednesday is the best day to fly. I’ll remember that for future trips.

I had enough extra time that I decided to eat lunch at a sit-down restaurant. Usually I grab a quick sandwich from a kiosk and eat at the gate. But, I am notoriously klutzy and have a hard time balancing my meal on my lap, so I decided to eat at a sit-down restaurant.

I walked up and down the concourse and viewed the menu at a place that looked safe.

I found a place!

The restaurant served basic foods – soups, salads, etc. So I thought I would try it. I ordered a Cobb salad with grilled chicken. But, I noticed they also had seafood on the menu. I asked the wait staff to make sure my chicken wasn’t cooked anywhere near the seafood. He assured that it was cooked on a separate part of the grill and that seafood was kept on a separate shelf from chicken.

Then he said he would ask everyone to change their gloves since they had served a few dishes with seafood already. I thought I was safe and this guy “got it.”

Then halfway through my Cobb salad, I caught a whiff of seafood being cooked.

Oh great.

You see, there is a protein in seafood that becomes airborne when it’s cooked. And some people are really sensitive (like me). So I can have an allergic reaction when my seafood is being cooked. Yep, just by inhaling it...

Just kidding, maybe not...

I noticed I was seated close to the kitchen. I looked around and spotted empty tables extending out into the main walkways. I picked up my bowl and started moving.

Just then, the waiter came up and gave me a quizzical look. I told him that I could smell seafood being cooked and didn’t want to have anaphylaxis. I explained that some people are extra sensitive, and I have had allergic reactions happen from just smelling the seafood being cooked.

He took down a rope and seated me in another area. I told him that if I had an allergic reaction and used my epinepherine, he would have to call an ambulance and I would have to be transported to the hospital. And I would have to be there at least 4 hours, as the medical staff watched me for a rebound anaphylaxis.

I told him I didn’t want to go to the hospital, because I was headed to an annual asthma summit (where I would be speaking). And I REALLY didn’t want to miss it.

He said, "Oh allergic reactions must affect your lungs, right?" I told him that yes, anaphylaxis can affect many areas of the body. I can inhale the seafood protein, and it can make me break out in hives, start vomiting, have diarrhea, and a big drop in my blood pressure. I told him that an allergic reaction can kill me in as little as 30 minutes!

I took a deep breath to tried to relax. No matter how many times I get exposed to my food allergen, it still makes me anxious. And frustrated. The people at the tables around me were watching me grab my food and move, and were probably wondering what is that lady doing?!

Even though I've been dealing with food allergies for over 30 years, it doesn't get easier for me.

Fellow food allergy peeps – how is it for you? Do you still panic? Move away from the kitchen? Leave a restaurant?