Travel Tips for People with Allergies
While you may not be able to leave your allergies behind when you travel, you may be able to make sure they stay tucked away in your suitcase by following certain precautions. Knowing what to bring and what to be aware of when you travel may help you to avoid flare-ups when you're out of town. Allergies don't have to get in the way when you're traveling. Take a look at these "Travelers' Advisories" to see what sorts of things you can do to prepare for a trip. Your vacation can and should be carefree.
Travelers' Advisory #1: Pack Your Medical Supplies
Remember to bring the medications you use to control your allergies – even if your symptoms almost never flare up. Make sure you use the original containers so that your medication is properly marked with the right dosage. Knowing what medicines you take, and the dosages, is vital information for any doctor you might need to see while on vacation.
Medication should always be stored in your carry-on luggage within easy reach in case of emergency. If it takes longer than a few seconds to reach your medications, they are too far from you.
Travelers' Advisory #2: Know Your Triggers
The key to controlling allergy symptoms starts with identifying your triggers. If your allergies are severe enough, you may even want to plan your destination around them. For instance, if you have severe pollen allergies, you might want to take your vacation at the beach. If you have an allergy to pet dander, you may need to think twice about staying with a relative who has cats. Anticipating the triggers you may encounter on a trip may help you to avoid them.
One rule of thumb is that dry climates will have more dust, but low pollen and mold counts, while humid climates will have less dust but higher pollen and mold counts. You may not want to let your allergies determine where you go on your vacation. But if you don't think about them before you leave, you may wind up having to think about them after you arrive.
If you are visiting an area with a climate different from the one you are used to, check to see what times of year are considered "allergy season." Trees, grasses, weeds, and ragweed generally bloom at the same time each year, but these times vary from climate to climate.
Travelers' Advisory #3: Getting There Is Half the Battle
Whether you travel by car, train, boat, or plane, allergy triggers may be traveling with you. These tips may help you to send some of those triggers packing.
Car: Dust mites and mold may exist in the carpeting, upholstery, and ventilation systems of cars. Vacuuming the car may also help remove some of the dust and mold from carpeting and seating.
If airborne allergens are a problem for you, you might try using an air filter that is designed for automobiles. This type of filter can be plugged into a cigarette lighter and may help to minimize certain types of allergens that are more difficult to get rid of.
Airplane: If you are uncomfortable in a car, you can always go to a rest area and take a walk. Once you get on a plane, though, you will probably be there for several hours. Unlike cars that you can "air out" or clean, you won't be able to control the environment on a plane. Plan your trip carefully.
Travelers' Advisory #4: Make No Assumptions About Your Lodging
Do you plan on staying with relatives? Do they have pets? Do they keep their house dust-free? Are you sure? Don't find out the hard way, after you've arrived unprepared.
Ask these questions before you leave for your trip:
- Will you be visiting a high-pollen area?
- Are there pets in the house?
Every hotel and home is different. Until you stay there you won't know if you are allergic to that environment. Come prepared with your medications, as well as the phone number of the nearest allergist and emergency room.
If you suffer from mildew or mold allergies, it may be helpful to find out how the room is cooled. Try to choose a room with central air conditioning or an in-room air conditioner. Avoid rooms with evaporative (swamp) coolers. These are common in hot climates and older hotels, but their filters can harbor the mildew and mold spores that may trigger an allergic reaction. Ask your host to change the air conditioning filter if possible and to vacuum before you arrive.
If dust mites trigger your allergy symptoms, consider bringing an anti-allergen mattress encasement and pillowcases and ask the hotel to provide nonallergenic pillows. Carpeting and drapes may also harbor dust mites, so ask for a room with blinds or shades rather than drapes, and a wood floor rather than carpeting.
Travelers' Advisory #5: Know Where to Find Medical Care
Chances are you won't need a doctor while you're traveling, but it may help to know where to find medical help if you need it. Check with your hotel or the person you're staying with to find out where the nearest hospital or emergency clinic is located.
If you are traveling to a more remote location, you may want to inquire about the availability of emergency medical care in the area you will be visiting.
