Hello Fodorites!

I'm leaving for Italy in a few weeks, and I would like to make an index card with the words "I'm allergic to mushrooms" on it, in Italian.

I plan to laminate it and keep it with me so that I don't have a language issue in restaurants.

I appreciate the help!

Pantelia

Sono allergica ai funghi (if you're female)

Sono allergico ai funghi (male)

Thanks so much!

Make a card with a mushroom on it, and draw a big "X" through it. (at least that's what I would do! lol!) Seriously, good luck & have fun over there.

Hi Pantelia - I had a similar issue last year with a seafood allergy. I made a card like you plan to do. It worked well. Here is the text of it, you could just replace the seafood terms with mushrooms. I would check that there are not other words for mushroom. I don't eat mushrooms and am very careful to avoid them when ordering a meal. I had a meal in northern italy and no where did it say funghi was served with the dish I ordered. I got a lovely piece of fish on top of a big pile of 3 types of mushrooms!

Here is the text of my card:
INFORMAZIONE IMPORTANTE PER IL RISTORANTE

Sono gravemente allergica ai crostacei (aragosta, gambero, molluschi, mitili, granchio, ostriche, ecc.).

Si tratta di una condizione medica molto seria. Potrei morire dopo aver ingerito questo tipo di cibo, cibo preparato con utensili che hanno toccato crostacei, cibo con olio di crostacei, estratti, brodi, ecc. E’ importante ricordare che questo ingrediente potrebbe essere presente anche nei cibi comprati gia’ fatti.

Se mangio crostacei o qualunque cibo che è stato cucinato con crostacei o che ha toccato crostacei, avrò bisogno dell'attenzione immediata medica.

La prego gentilmente di non darmi cibo che potrebbe contenere o che ha toccato crostacei.

Translation:
I am allergic to shellfish - shrimp, prawns, lobster, crab.... I cannot eat shellfish or food that is prepared in the same pan as shellfish. If I eat shellfish - shrimp, prawns, lobster, crab - I will need medical attention and I may die in your restaurant.

> I will need medical attention and I may die in your restaurant.<

That's the most important part.

No, Ira..the most important words are:...."and then my relatives will SUE you for damages..."

this is brilliant! I also have a food allergy, and usually end up eating "safe" food because i'm afraid to risk it, and hadn't thought to make up a card.

the last few replies had me lol. not good at work

Thanks so much for the additional information. I especially love the "I may die in your restaurant" part. I'll be sure to add that!!

Seriously, I do appreciate all the responses. I don't want to eat boring food, but do enjoy breathing! I'm usually ok with a Benadryl, if I catch the mushrooms on the first bite or two, but, I'd also like to be awake for most of my vacation!!

Thanks again!

I got the language to use from an allergy website, so I can't claim that I was that creative to mention dying! Personally, I probably would not have died right there on the spot, but I also did not want to take any chances. I think the reverse of the card said "Please call an ambulance, I am in anaphylatic shock!". (not sure of the spelling of that word).

Have fun in Italy!

cls2paris,

What was the allergy website? I have an allergy to MSG. I did not have any trouble last year as I don't believe that Italians use much, if any, MSG...but you can never be too careful. I did avoid sausages, hams, and broths just in case. It would be reassuring to have the type of information you carried.

Pantelinia,
In addition to Benadryl, I carried an Epi-pen with me at all times. It has to be prescribed by your doctor, and some people can have a reaction to the adrenalyn, but you may want to check into it. I also was told last year to make sure that I had a prescription for all of the medications I carried (asthma and allergies) that verified I was to have them.

Good Luck!

http://www.selectwisely.com/

Here is one site. I ordered cards for my fiance--he is very allergic to nuts, shellfish, and fish. Hope this helps--the cards came very quickly (within a week).

Take-time - I think it was the above mentioned selectwisely.com.

Ah-ha! Someone else who is allergic to mushrooms I am too and I get the weirdest looks from people when I tell them that sometimes. I don't think it is a common allergy.

J- I am not allergic but I do not like them at all. I always get the weird looks and often the comment - "but you can hardly taste them". My usual retort is that if you can't taste them anyway why not just leave them out. Believe me, I can taste them.

Thanks so much for the website. I'll check it out now.

Happy Travels!

Thanks cls2paris!

The selectwisely.com site doesn't list bananas; they are the food that I'm allergic to. I was thinking of getting a card, but I guess I'll make my own.

I should probably get a medical bracelet, because I have severe metal allergies and if I were in an accident or had another emergency I could absolutely not have surgical staples.

Does anyone know if medic alert bracelets are easily translatable around the world?

Hi tuscanlifeedit, on the website you can "special order" a card if as you do, one has an allergy not listed.

Also, if I were you I would contact them (see left side of screen) and ask about a Medical ID braclet regarding your allergy to metals. They just may be able to direct you to "somewhere" that can provide this for you. Or, just a thought, maybe they could provide a card and you could punch a hole in it and put it on a chain around your neck and wear it under your clothes. If you needed surgery, heaven forbid, I would think the medical personnel would see this.
Having allergies I understand your and everyone elses concerns.

LoveItaly

Thanks. I didn't see the special order section. I think I'm going to ask my doctor about the metal allergies and a bracelet or some such warning device.

I fell and hit my head, requiring stitches, and it took some arguing to convince the emergency room doc not to use metal staples, as is usual with head cuts, I guess.