Having an Allergic Reaction Abroad

I’m guessing you clicked on this either because you also have allergies or have concerns about needing to go to the hospital while abroad. Or, you just want to know what ambulances and hospitals are like in Japan. Either way, it’s extremely important to come abroad prepared for anything, especially if you’re immunocompromised, need medicines to bring into the country, or have life-threatening allergies.

Even as someone who checks at every restaurant and store about my food allergies and carries my epi-pen with me, accidents have still happened to me. And it really sucks. Being wary all the time is tiring, but is extremely important to your wellbeing, particularly if you’re abroad and have to advocate for yourself.

I ate at a nearby Chinese restaurant, one where my friend with the same allergies as me has gone before, so I was rest assured. It wasn’t until a few hours later that I felt off, though, and started vomiting and felt my throat swell. It was 2A.M., and I was freaking out in my dorm room alone, so I knocked on my friend’s door next to mine. He quickly helped me call the IES staff, and then the ambulance (plugging in a reminder to get access to a phone number, better yet a Japanese one, that you can dial calls with if you’re abroad!)

Had I been experiencing more life threatening symptoms, I knew they’d be quick to act because they had equipment for everything, everywhere at the ready.

Pretty soon, the ambulance came, and I was alright enough to walk, so they took me into the ambulance to talk to me, me in my pajamas and all. They collected my information, and I recollected what happened to them. Although these emergency numbers have a translator option, I found it to be a bit slower because it was also the middle of the night – reaching out for help if you can, or to the program staff who was ready to help us translate or even come to help, is extremely important!

But because I was able to communicate for myself, they did more intake questions. Had I been experiencing more life threatening symptoms, I knew they’d be quick to act because they had equipment for everything, everywhere at the ready.

I managed with the help of my friend speaking in Japanese, and they decided to take me into the hospital because I was still experiencing all of my allergic reaction symptoms.

Again, because it was 2A.M., parts of the hospital reception were not in service, and it was very quiet. But the doctors were very patient, and asked a lot of questions. 

They offered me an IV, which I was a little scared of. One of the EMTs noticed, and asked me if I was scared, and offered to stay longer for me. He even helped translate to them better for me that I didn’t want an IV, so they gave me some oral pills instead. I still felt my throat was swollen, so both the EMT and my friend stayed by my side, and we talked about his family and going to Disney and life in America.

My friend from IES Tokyo, IES staff, and EMT and hospital staff were all responsive and helpful, and it made my fears about having an allergic reaction while abroad and “alone” all disappear. 

By the end of the visit, I was feeling better, but it was late and I was tired (it was already 4A.M.) The IES Tokyo staff helped call a taxi for us, and had been checking in on me throughout the visit.

It was the middle of the night, so I didn’t have much time to process it then, but processing it now, I think I had a great experience and was really lucky that everything was fine. My friend from IES Tokyo, IES staff, and EMT and hospital staff were all responsive and helpful, and it made my fears about having an allergic reaction while abroad and “alone” all disappear. As someone who even then wanted to pretend I was more okay than I was so that I wasn’t bothering everyone, them being so ready to stay and help made me much more rest assured.

... even if you don’t have anything to worry about, always come up with an emergency plan in case anything happens.

That said, even if you don’t have any condition to worry about or an allergy like me, it’s essential to create a support system and an emergency support system if you’re abroad. I was able to get this care because I was proactive enough to contact people, which is important if it ever happens to you – as someone with allergies, I am always aware of the possibilities, so even if you don’t have anything to worry about, always come up with an emergency plan in case anything happens.

If you can’t help avoiding it, help yourself by being proactive and stay safe!