My Journey with Allergies

​

Hello and welcome to Alertravel! I’m Laura, and I’m excited to share my story and journey with allergies, as I know many of you will relate to the challenges that come with managing food and pollen allergies while traveling.

I was born in Latvia and spent my childhood there, living a healthy, carefree life without any allergies. In fact, I never had to worry about food or pollen back then. However, in my 30s, I started to notice subtle changes in my health. Gradually, I began to experience reactions to certain foods, pollen, and even some fruits and vegetables. It was a slow process, and at first, I didn’t understand what was happening or why my body was reacting the way it was.

Over time, I was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, including tree nuts, sesame seeds, eggs, and a condition known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), triggered by birch pollen. The OAS made me allergic to various fruits and vegetables when eaten raw, which added a whole new layer of complexity to my daily life. The reactions were not only physical but also emotional. At the beginning, I found it incredibly difficult to manage, especially since I didn’t fully understand the link between what I was eating and how I was feeling.

Eventually, I learned to recognize the signs, and while I still face severe allergic reactions to tree nuts, I’ve also learned to manage the anxiety that came with these allergies. It wasn’t an easy journey, but over time, I’ve found ways to regain control of my life, to enjoy travel again, and to embrace social situations without fear.

At first, living with allergies was the hardest in my own home, where I had to adjust to living with the constant caution of allergens in my environment. But when it came to traveling, the stakes were much higher. I had to be extremely careful—switching, adapting, and packing ahead to avoid potentially life-threatening situations.

This website, Alertravel, was born out of my desire to help others like me. I know there are many of us out there, each with our own unique experiences. We’re all part of a global community, and we deserve the same rights to a safe, enjoyable life and the ability to travel without fear.

I want to invite you to read my blog, share your experiences, and join a powerful community of allergy-aware individuals. Together, we can support one another, raise awareness, and work towards a future where traveling with allergies is safe and stress-free for everyone.

I hope that one day the world will be a safer place for all of us, where we can live, explore, and experience new places with peace of mind.