Alpha-Gal Friendly Travel Tips

When my husband was diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, one of my first worries was: How will we ever travel again? So much of travel is centered around food and convenience, and for someone with Alpha-Gal, both can feel like a minefield. Over time, I’ve learned that with a little planning, we can still enjoy trips, whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a big adventure. Here are some of the things that have helped us travel safely and still make great memories.

Pack a “Safe Bag”

One of the simplest but most important things I do is travel with a little kit of personal care items that I know are Alpha-Gal safe. That way I’m not stuck using hotel soaps, shampoos, or lotions that might contain hidden mammal ingredients. In my bag you’ll always find our own soap and haircare products, a lip balm I’ve made myself with safe plant-based ingredients, travel-sized lotions and hand soap that won’t cause a reaction, and, if we’ll be outdoors, tick repellent. Having these basics covered means one less thing to worry about.

Food: Think Ahead, Stay Flexible

Food is often the hardest part of traveling with Alpha-Gal. I’ve learned to plan ahead but also keep a little flexibility. I pack safe snacks like granola, fruit, nut butter packets, and crackers so we’re never caught hungry with no safe options. Before we go, I’ll check menus online or call restaurants to see if there are Alpha-Gal friendly choices. Whenever possible, I book lodging with a small kitchen or kitchenette — even just a fridge and microwave makes a huge difference. And for road trips, I bring along a cooler so we can carry safe meals with us.

Choose Your Stays Wisely

Hotels don’t always think about guests with allergies, but small adjustments make things easier. I’ll call ahead to ask if they can accommodate dietary needs, and when it’s an option, we often prefer vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO since we can cook our own food. Having that control takes so much stress out of mealtimes.

Outdoors and Adventure Travel

We love being outdoors, and Alpha-Gal hasn’t stopped that. Hiking and camping just take a little extra preparation. We always carry safe bug repellent and wear permethrin-treated clothing if we’re going into tick-heavy areas. We do a tick check every evening, and I pack a small first-aid kit with antihistamines and an epi-pen just in case of unexpected exposure. With these steps in place, we can still enjoy time in the woods without fear.

Final Thoughts

Alpha-Gal does change the way we travel, but it doesn’t have to take away the joy of it. With planning and preparation, it’s still possible to explore new places, eat well, and spend time outdoors safely. The key is being intentional and prepared, so the focus can stay on the experience instead of the worry.