What happens if you have an allergic reaction on a plane?

Although Good Samaritans often randomly come to the rescue, all airline personnel should be trained to assist. An anaphylactic passenger could require multiple doses of epinephrine or could be unable to self-administer, and, if traveling alone, unable to explain where their emergency medications were located.



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Some have only adrenaline ampoules, some have adrenaline ampoules and autoinjectors and some have none. If adrenaline is available in the form an ampoule, a needle and syringe are required and flight crew rely on a doctor or nurse being on the flight (as passengers) to have it administered in an emergency.

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Try antihistamines: For those with allergy symptoms and air pressure regulation difficulties, medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra may be a good option. Antihistamines are often formulated to include decongestants (such as Claritin-D, Allegra-D, and Zyrtec-D).

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Treat congestion before your trip
If you're congested from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, it's important to do what you can to resolve the congestion before you fly. Common treatments for congestion include antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays.

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If you suffer from allergies, consider a non-sedating antihistamine instead, such as loratadine (Claritin®) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Claritin and Allegra do not have wait times (after the initial ground trial).

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1) Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation.

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People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

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Swelling and congestion of the nasal passages in allergic rhinitis can cause discomfort and prevent normal breathing. This becomes a significant distractor while flying and may lead some aviators to take over-the-counter allergy medications that are not approved for flight duties.

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