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An allergic reaction abroad is usually mild: itchy hives, sneezing or a little lip swelling that settles with an antihistamine from a pharmacy. But swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, feeling faint or sudden collapse are signs of anaphylaxis. Use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have one and call 112 at once.
Common triggers on a trip
Travel brings new foods, plants, insects, cosmetics and medicines, so reactions can appear even in people without a known allergy.
- Food: nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, wheat, fish and shellfish are the usual culprits.
- Insect bites and stings, especially bees and wasps.
- Medicines, including antibiotics and painkillers.
- New products: hotel soaps, sunscreen, laundry detergent or a hammam scrub.
- Pollen and dust, depending on the season.
Mild reactions: what to do
Mild allergic reactions cause symptoms such as a raised itchy rash (hives), sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, mild swelling of the lips or eyelids, or a slightly upset stomach.
- Stop or avoid the likely trigger if you can identify it.
- A pharmacist (Eczane) can recommend an antihistamine; tell them about other medicines, pregnancy and any conditions.
- Cool compresses ease itching.
- Watch closely for the next hour or two, because some reactions get worse.
If a rash keeps spreading, swelling increases, or you are not sure what caused the reaction, see a doctor. A doctor visit at your hotel avoids travelling while you are uncomfortable.
Eating safely with a food allergy in Istanbul
Turkish cuisine uses several common allergens generously. Nuts are central to desserts such as baklava and Turkish delight, sesame coats simit and appears in tahini, and yoghurt and butter are everywhere.
Useful Turkish words:
- ... alerjim var: I have an allergy to ...
- Yer fıstığı: peanut
- Antep fıstığı: pistachio
- Fındık: hazelnut
- Ceviz: walnut
- Susam: sesame
- Süt: milk
- Yumurta: egg
- Buğday: wheat
- Kabuklu deniz ürünleri: shellfish
A written allergy card in Turkish is more reliable than spoken explanations in a busy restaurant. Ask about shared oil, shared grills and garnishes, and be cautious with desserts and sauces whose ingredients you cannot check. Always carry your adrenaline auto-injectors if you have been prescribed them; British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies, so bring spares from home.
Medicine reactions
If you develop a rash, itching or swelling after starting a new medicine, stop and contact the doctor or pharmacist who supplied it before taking another dose, unless you have been told otherwise. Note the medicine's name for future reference. Severe reactions, with breathing difficulty or swelling of the face or throat, need 112.
Skin reactions from sun, plants and products
Not every itchy rash on holiday is a food or medicine allergy. Some people develop an itchy, bumpy rash on skin exposed to strong sun, usually a few hours after the first sunny days. Hammam scrubs, perfumed hotel toiletries, new sunscreens and laundry detergents can cause irritation or contact dermatitis, typically a red, itchy rash exactly where the product touched the skin.
Be wary of "black henna" tattoos offered at tourist spots. They can contain a dye that causes blistering skin reactions and can make you sensitive to hair dyes for life. If a rash appears where something touched your skin, stop using the product, wash the area with plain water and ask a pharmacist for advice. See a doctor if the rash blisters, spreads or comes with fever.
Travelling with a known severe allergy
If you have had a serious reaction before, a few habits make a trip much safer:
- Carry two adrenaline auto-injectors in your hand luggage, not in the hold, and check the expiry dates before you leave.
- Keep them at the right temperature. Istanbul summers are hot; do not leave auto-injectors in direct sun, a hot car or a beach bag in the sun.
- Bring your allergy action plan and a letter from your doctor describing the allergy and your medicines.
- Tell the airline about food allergies when you book, and again at the gate.
- Show your travel companions where you keep the auto-injectors and how to use them.
- Wear or carry medical identification that states your allergy.
What to tell the doctor
When a doctor assesses a reaction, the details you give matter as much as the examination. Be ready to say what you ate, drank, took or touched in the hours before the symptoms started, when the reaction began and how it has changed, any medicines you have already taken for it, and whether you have had reactions before. Photos of the rash as it developed help, because hives often fade and reappear in different places.
After a reaction: planning the rest of the trip
Once a reaction has settled, think about what caused it and how to avoid it for the rest of your stay. Write down the dish, product or medicine involved, show the note at future restaurants and pharmacies, and avoid anything similar until you have spoken to your own doctor. If a doctor gave you an antihistamine or other treatment, take it exactly as advised and ask how long to continue. Anyone who has had a severe reaction for the first time should ask, before flying home, whether they need adrenaline auto-injectors and a referral to an allergy clinic.
Anaphylaxis: call 112 immediately
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. NHS guidance lists signs including:
- Swelling of the throat and tongue
- Difficulty breathing, or breathing very fast
- Difficulty swallowing, a tight throat or a hoarse voice
- Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
- Feeling tired or confused
- Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
- Skin or lips turning blue, grey or pale
Related Services
- Hotel Doctor in Istanbul — an examination at your hotel, Airbnb or residence.
- Urgent Doctor Visit — same-day care for a reaction that is spreading but not an emergency.
- Prescription at Your Hotel — a doctor assesses you and decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if I get hives on holiday?
- Avoid the likely trigger, ask a pharmacist about an antihistamine and watch for worsening. See a doctor if the rash spreads or swelling increases.
- How do I say I have a nut allergy in Turkish?
- Say "fındık alerjim var" for hazelnut, "yer fıstığı alerjim var" for peanut, or show a written allergy card listing every nut you react to.
- When is an allergic reaction an emergency?
- When there is swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, confusion, fainting or blue or pale skin. Call 112.
- Can I get an adrenaline auto-injector in Istanbul?
- Bring spares from home. British prescriptions are not accepted in Turkish pharmacies, so a doctor here would need to assess you before any prescription.
If you have a reaction that is not an emergency but is worrying you, send a WhatsApp message with a photo if helpful and where you are staying.