Allergy-proof your festival experience

For many people in the UK, summertime means one thing… festival season!

It’s a time to unwind, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy live music from your favourite artists. But for those living with serious allergies, the carefree vibe of festivals can quickly turn into a source of stress.

We don’t want anyone to miss out on the festival experience, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you stay safe while having a great time.

Preparation before you go

• It is likely that your bag will be searched as you enter the festival site. Keep an up-to-date Allergy Action Plan with your adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) to explain why you need them with you at all times.
• Make sure the people you are going with know about your allergy, where to find your medication and how to use your AAIs. Ask someone you trust to be your emergency contact.
• Food vans tend to have limited space so cross-contamination may be difficult to avoid. Take ‘safe food’ with you as a back-up that you know is free of your allergen(s).
• Consider using an insulated bag to keep your AAIs at the correct temperature whilst at the festival.

When you arrive

• On arrival, familiarise yourself with the site map and find out the location of the nearest medical tent.
• If possible, let the festival’s medical team know about your allergy when you arrive. Some festivals allow you to register your condition, so staff are aware and can help more quickly in an emergency.
• Do NOT leave your AAIs in your tent or car where they could overheat and become less effective. We recommend that you always have two AAIs, and any other allergy medications e.g. inhalers or antihistamines, with you at all times.

During the festival

• Make sure you have a mobile phone with you at all times, in case of an emergency. It may be worth investing in a portable battery pack to ensure that your phone stays charged.
• Festivals can get pretty crowded, so it’s easy to get separated from your friends or lose track of them. Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet, or carrying an allergy alert card, that has important medical information, such as your allergies, on it.
• Eating at festivals can be tricky but remember all food outlets are required by law to provide information on the 14 major allergens. Remember to ask food businesses about allergens before eating! If you do not feel confident that they can cater for you, do not take the risk.
• If you’re drinking alcohol, it’s best to do so in moderation to avoid an allergic reaction being confused with the effects of alcohol. Remember that drinking alcohol can also put you at an increased risk of a serious reaction.
• If you have an allergy to insect venom avoid walking around in bare feet or sandals when outdoors and try not to use strongly scented perfumes, sprays and toiletries which can attract stinging insects.
• In the case of an emergency try to stay calm and don’t go off by yourself. Inform someone about your reaction, lie down where you are and don’t walk to the medical tent. Use your AAIs without delay if you are experiencing any ABC symptoms.
• Festivals can be messy, and cross-contact is possible. Carry wet wipes to clean your hands before eating, especially if you have touched shared surfaces.
• If you use your AAI at a festival you should always seek further medical attention, even if you feel better, as symptoms can return.

With a little bit of preparation and planning, we believe people living with serious allergies can have a safe, fun and happy festival experience. For more information on staying safe this summer visit our #SummerSafety webpage.