Traveling with Allergies and Asthma
The car’s packed, you’re ready to go. But have you planned ahead for your allergies or asthma?
Whatever you do at home to reduce your exposure to allergens and triggers is just as important when traveling, whether you’re in a car, bus, train or plane. Taking a vacation or travelling for business even, takes you to a different environment and that can make it easy to overlook potential problems. Here’s a guide.
Allergens such as dust mites and indoor molds can be abundant in cars. Carpeting and upholstery are as likely to harbor these allergens in cars as they are in the home. Before starting a long drive, turn on the heater or air conditioner and open the windows for at least 10 minutes to help get rid of potential irritants in the ventilation system.
If you’re allergic to pollen or mold, you’ll want to avoid exposure to those while in the car too, so keep the windows closed while driving and use the air conditioner if necessary for comfort. Air pollution can be a real bummer too, so travel in off-peak hours such as early in the morning or later at night when traffic is lighter and the air is clearer.
If you use a nebulizer for your asthma, you may want to purchase a portable version that uses a portable battery pack or plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter.
Planes can be challenging for those with allergies or asthma as well. Those with severe asthma who sometimes need supplemental oxygen may require more oxygen at cruising altitudes of 35,000 feet. You can’t be refused travel because you need supplemental oxygen, but if you think you might need it during your flight, you need to make arrangements with the airline well in advance of your flight.
The air in airplanes is typically very dry as well; use a saline nasal spray every hour or so to keep your nasal membranes moist.
While smoking is banned on US and Canadian flights, it is allowed on many international flights, so try to get a seat as far away from the smoking section as possible if you’re traveling abroad. Food selection also poses a challenge for those with food allergies, who must use extreme caution when eating airline food. Airplane staff may not be able to provide you with information about specific ingredients because food is often bought from an outside vendor. Be sure to take your injectable epinephrine so you’ll be prepared in the event of a severe allergic reaction during your flight.
Maybe the Love Boat is your vehicle of choice. If your asthma or allergies are severe, you should make sure there is adequate medical care available on board; inquire about the qualifications of medical personnel. You’ll also want to keep in mind the suggestions given for staying in hotel rooms, because those apply on cruise ships as well. And don’t forget your injectable epinephrine, in case you have a severe allergic reaction to food during your trip.
Hotel rooms can be a big problem for those with allergies, for a number of reasons. Large concentrations of dust mites and molds can be present in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture, and fumes from cleaning products can also be irritating. There are several things you can do, however, to reduce your exposure to irritants in hotels.
It’s a good idea to take your own dust-proof, zippered pillow and mattress covers, or even your own personal bedding. Those who are sensitive to molds should request a room away from any indoor swimming pools. You can also ask if the hotel has any allergy-proof rooms, and if you have animal allergies, ask for a room that is pet-free.
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