Healthy Traveling With Allergies

Your vacation has finally arrived! Vacations provide an opportunity to “get away from it all.” Unfortunately, though, you cannot take a vacation from your ]]>allergies]]>. And a vacation can actually trigger an allergy attack because it often brings a change in climate, foliage, and accommodations. While you cannot allergy-proof your vacation, you can take steps to minimize the effects allergies might have on your vacation.

Before You Leave

Some research regarding where and when you take your vacation is important for selecting a time and place that will not exacerbate your allergies. For example:

• Plan to take your vacation during the time that your allergies flare up the worst at home.
• If your allergies are due to pollen, investigate the pollen counts of where you want to travel and try to pick a place that is more pollen-free. Or, select a time of year where pollen counts are the lowest.
• Obtain the name of an allergist practicing at your destination. Your doctor might be able to give you some suggestions.
• Ask your doctor for any travel tips that might help you handle your allergies while on vacation.

Traveling by Car

If you are taking a road trip in your car, following these simple steps can make your car allergy-friendly.

• Turn your car’s air conditioner on 10 minutes before you get in the car, preferably with the windows open. This will help remove dust and molds from the AC system.
• Keep the windows of your car closed when you are driving to prevent pollen and other irritants from entering the car. Use your air conditioner instead.
• If your trip is short (less than 1-2 hours) consider setting the air conditioner to recirculated air. While some cars may mix enough fresh air with stale recirculated air, do not assume that it is healthy to breath recirculated air for long periods of time. Periodically open the vents or windows for a few moments to replenish oxygen.
• Begin your travel early in the morning or later in the evening. This will keep you off the roads during times of heavy traffic and when the air quality is poorest.
• If you are renting a car for your trip, ask for one that has not had people who smoke in it. Some cars also come with high efficiency particulate filters as part of their air conditioning systems. If you do careful pre-trip research, you might better be able to choose the best brand of car to rent.

Traveling by Plane

Use the following tips when you travel by plane.

• Pack your allergy medication in your carry-on luggage and not in the luggage you are checking—just in case your luggage does not make it to your destination or you need it while on the plane.
• Make sure to bring more than enough of your allergy medication.
• Bring a saline nasal spray with you. Using the spray once an hour will help keep your nasal membranes moist. Be sure that your spray is saline (salt water) only; medicated nasal sprays containing decongestants, such as neosynephrine or oxymetazoline, should be used only as directed.
• Check if your flight allows smoking. If your travel requires that you fly with smokers, be sure to request a seat as far from the smoking section of the plane as possible.
• If you are traveling to different time zones, be sure to account for the time change when calculating medication dosages.

At the Hotel

Dust mites and molds can live in the carpet, bedding, and upholstered furniture in a hotel room. However, there are some things you can do to decrease your chances of having these irritants in your room.

• When making your reservation, ask if the hotel offers allergy-proof rooms.
• Request a room away from the indoor pool. Rooms close to indoor pools may have higher mold counts.
• Ask about the hotel’s pet policy. If pets are allowed at the hotel, ask for a pet-free room if you are allergic to animals.
• Ask for a non-smoking room.
• If the air conditioner filter has not been changed recently, you might ask if the hotel can change the filter prior to your arrival.
• Call in advance to make sure the hotel offers synthetic pillows. If they do not, bring your own.
• If you find them helpful, you could bring your own allergy-proof covers for pillows. You may want also to bring an allergy-proof cover for the mattress as well, though studies have cast strong doubt on the effectiveness of pillow and mattress covers for preventing nasal allergies.
• Shut the hotel windows and use the air conditioner.
• Avoid using the hotel closet or drawers if you are allergic to mold spores. These dark and sometimes damp areas can be great breeding grounds for mold spores.

At Your Destination

Once you have arrived and checked in to your hotel, it is still important to be vigilant about controlling your allergies. Try to have a flexible schedule—one that can accommodate your allergies. If you have Internet access, you might want to check the local pollen count. Work with your doctor to come up with an allergy plan for high pollen count days. Your plan might involve changes in medication, or even restricting outdoor activities. Instead, consider an indoor activity for the day, like touring an art museum or visiting a historical building. Ask the hotel’s concierge for some fun tourist attractions that are in areas that are pollen-free and allergy friendly. And remember to have fun—you are on vacation!