When traveling with your EoE-friendly items, be sure to store what you need in your carry-on bag instead of your checked bag, Dr. Bedford recommends. That will give you assurance that you have what you need even if your checked bag is delayed or lost. In terms of what to pack, here are the three main categories:
Medications
Even if your EoE is normally well controlled with your diet, you should have medication with you in case of a flare. That can be an over-the-counter proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), or lansoprazole (Prevacid).
If you take medication to manage your symptoms, be sure to stick to your treatment schedule even on vacation. If possible, bring more than you need for the timespan of your trip, says Bedford. “Talk with your doctor in advance about prescribing extra medication, in case any gets misplaced or left behind in a hotel room,” he suggests.
Also, bring a printed list of your medications, including dosage and instructions for use, just in case you have an urgent medical need while you’re traveling and have to provide that info to a health provider.
Safe Snacks
Most likely, you already know which snacks are a good fit for you and provide some nutrients, such as protein bars without ingredients that might trigger symptoms. If there are snacks you suspect will be useful but you haven’t tried them yet, Bedford recommends doing a “tryout” before you travel, so you’re not sampling a new food when you’re away from home.
You can also look at maps in advance to see if there are grocery stores near where you’re staying, so you can get snacks while you’re there, such as applesauce, oatmeal, dried fruit, and veggies and hummus — which all tend to be “safe” for most people with EoE.
Medical Info
In addition to carrying printed information on your medications, it’s helpful to have info on your condition, contacts for your health team, and anything else you might need if you have to visit a health provider away from home. This might include travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, your insurance card, and a list of trigger foods.
“If you have an emergency situation and you’re feeling panicked, you’re likely to forget important information that a provider would need,” says Bedford. “Having it all in one place and readily available can be very handy in an urgent situation.”
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