Traveling with Allergies

Be it a road trip to Grandma’s house, or a flight to your dream beach vacation, here are a few effective tips on how to minimise your exposure to allergens and alleviate your allergy symptoms when traveling.

Traveling with Allergies

Be it a road trip to Grandma’s house, or a flight to your dream beach vacation, here are a few effective tips on how to minimise your exposure to allergens and alleviate your allergy symptoms when traveling.

Tips for Traveling with Allergies

Think About Your Destination

Being near a large body of water, such as the ocean, may help to reduce your risk of being exposed to pollen , as long as the area that you’re is not nearby trees or fields of grass. If you’re on a beach vacation, opt to lounge at an area of the beach that is far away from grassy areas or trees which produce pollen heavily, such as Bermuda grass, elm and oak trees.

Going on a cruise can be exciting alternative to consider, especially for people who are prone to seasonal allergies . Despite the fact that pollen particles can be transported out to sea, they’re highly unlikely to pose an allergy risk if the cruise ship is far away from land, as coastal winds can disperse them quickly. What’s more, some cruise ships even come with “allergy-friendly” cabins.

Wherever your vacation takes you, be sure to check out the local pollen forecast so you can be prepared to manage allergy symptoms effectively should they start to flare up.

Fly the Allergy-Friendly Skies

Pet dander , mold spores, dust mites and pollen can stick to clothes, shoes, hair and luggage of people who board the same flight as you. To help minimise your exposure to these allergens, be sure to wipe down the tray table, arm rests and window area with cleansing wipes thoroughly before tossing them in a sealable bag.

The low humidity levels in airplane cabins may cause dehydration, which in turn can cause your allergy symptoms to flare up.1 Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and pack your allergy medicine in case you suffer an allergic reaction when flying. Be sure to keep your medicine in its original packaging.2

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DID YOU KNOW?

The allergens from pet dander could also be racking up some frequent flier miles with you, especially if there’s a furry pet in a carrier under the seat, or if the pet dander has managed to stick to another passenger’s clothes or shoes. In fact, one study showed the allergens from pet dander was detected on all the seats of a domestic flight airplane.2

Time Your Drive

A few studies have also found that pollen particles and air pollution that is caused by exhaust emissions from vehicles can interact and make allergies worse. To help minimise your exposure, be sure to keep the air-conditioning on, and the windows closed, so pollen spores can’t enter your vehicle.

Make No Room at the Inn for Allergens

Be sure to use the air conditioner instead of opening your hotel room’s windows to help minimise your exposure to pollen. You can also opt to pack a zippered, anti- allergen pillow case along to lessen your exposure to dust mites .

Keep Allergy Medication on Hand

It’s a good idea to keep allergy medicine in your purse or backpack, so you’re prepared wherever your travels take you.Consider solutions that can be easily taken without water for allergy relief on the go.

REFERENCES

  1.  Sánchez-Borges, Mario & Cardona, Victòria & Worm, Margitta & F. Lockey, Richard & Sheikh, Aziz & Greenberger, Paul & J. Ansotegui, Ignacio & Ebisawa, Motohiro & El-Gamal, Yehia & Fineman, Stanley & Geller, Mario & Gonzalez-Estrada, Alexei & Tanno, Luciana & Thong, Bernard. (2017). In-flight allergic emergencies. World Allergy Organization Journal. 10. 10.1186/s40413-017-0148-1.
  2. Countless Tiny Creatures May Be Traveling for Thanksgiving Right Alongside You. Claritin® Blue Sky Living. Accessed October 15, 2017.