Tips to Remember:
Traveling with allergies and asthma
The American Academy
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunonlogy (AAAAI)
If you have allergies or asthma, you know they're always with you, even
when you travel. So, to ensure that your next trip is relaxing and enjoyable,
you should plan for the changes in your environment that may affect your
allergies or asthma.
Traveling...By auto, bus or train
When traveling by auto, bus, or train, potential irritants or allergens
can include dust mites, indoor molds, pollens, and other substances.
Common allergens such as mites and molds can lurk in the carpeting, upholstery
and ventilation systems of vehicles. Before beginning a lengthy auto trip,
try turning on the air conditioner or heater and open the windows for
at least 10 minutes prior to entering the car. This will help remove dust
mites and/or molds that may be in the system.
Outdoor allergens, such as pollens and molds, are also potential hazards,
especially when traveling with open windows. If you have been diagnosed
with pollen or mold allergies, close your windows and turn on the air
conditioning instead.
Cigarette smoke or outdoor air pollution can worsen allergy and asthma
symptoms. To avoid excess air pollution when traveling by automobile,
travel in early morning or late evening, when the air quality is better
and you can avoid heavy traffic. If you use a nebulizer for your asthma,
get a portable nebulizer that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter
or uses a portable battery pack.
...By airplane
Air quality on planes can greatly affect the allergic or asthmatic patient.
While all domestic flights are now smoke-free, many international flights
are not. If traveling abroad, make sure you are seated as far as possible
from the smoking section when getting a seat assignment.
If you have severe asthma and occasionally require supplemental oxygen,
you may feel the need for additional oxygen at normal cruising altitudes
of approximately 35,000 feet. If you think you may need supplemental oxygen,
you must arrange for this with the airline well before the flight. No
one can be refused travel for needing supplemental oxygen; however, this
has to be arranged in advance.
If you have food allergies, be extremely cautious when eating airline
food. Since the food comes from a vendor, no one on board may be able
to tell you the specific ingredients of the foods. Make sure to carry
your portable, injectable epinephrine in case you have a severe reaction
while in flight.
If you have sinusitis, or a sinus or ear infection, air travel could cause
significant pain. Try to delay your travel until your symptoms improve.
If you usually experience severe ear or sinus pain while flying, take
a short-acting oral decongestant or use a nasal spray decongestant about
one hour before takeoff. In flight, sipping liquids, swallowing often
and chewing gum may help decrease any pain.
The air in planes is very dry. Use saline nasal spray once every hour
to keep your nasal membranes moist. This will help you to be more comfortable
during and after your flight.
...By ship
When making cruise reservations, if you have severe asthma and/or allergies,
ask about the qualifications of medical personnel and the availability
of adequate medical care while on board the ship. Again, if you have food
allergies, make sure to bring your injectable epinephrine for any possible
severe allergic reactions.
If you have the skin condition eczema, be forewarned that increased exposure
to water and sun can aggravate it. You may get some protection by liberally
lubricating the skin with medicated ointment or over-the-counter lotion.
Keep in mind that when traveling, the climate and the season of your destination
will also dictate your specific allergen and irritant exposure. In tropical,
damp climates, you may have increased exposure to allergens such as mites,
airborne molds and specific pollens. In cold, damp climates, you may be
exposed to more house dust mites and indoor molds. Cold air in frigid,
dry environments can also be an irritant for those with asthma.
Allergen sources
Many travelers stay at hotels. Hotel rooms, however, often contain large
concentrations of dust mites and molds in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered
furniture that can worsen your allergy and asthma symptoms. Irritant fumes
from cleaning products may also cause problems.
When making hotel reservations, ask if there are allergy-proof rooms available.
If you are sensitive to molds, request a sunny, dry room away from areas
near indoor pools. Also, if you have allergies to any animals, inquire
about the hotel's pet policy, and request a room that has been pet-free.
Those who are allergic to dust mites may want to bring their own dust-proof,
zippered covers for pillows and mattresses, or personal bedding.
If staying in a cottage or cabin in a forest or near a beach, make sure
to have it thoroughly cleaned and aired out before you arrive. This can
reduce dust mite and mold concentrations.
Visiting family and friends
Indoor environments -- especially during the holidays -- can be significant
sources of potentially allergic hazards. Dust mites on Christmas ornaments
and decorations; molds on Christmas trees, wet leaves and logs for wood-burning
stoves; and strongly-scented potpourri, candles and air fresheners may
all trigger allergy or asthma symptoms. Heating vents may also blow accumulated
dust mites and molds.
Animal allergens, found in pets' dander, saliva or urine, can sometimes
be a problem, even if the pet has been put outside or removed from the
room. It takes months before the allergic residue of an indoor pet may
no longer cause symptoms, so it's best to avoid staying in the homes of
family or friends whose pets trigger your allergy symptoms.
People with food allergies should be careful about eating holiday treats,
any of which may contain hidden, significant food allergens such as peanuts,
tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat or shellfish.
If you are allergic to seasonal pollen found in areas where your family
or friends live, try to avoid visiting when that pollen is prevalent.
Whether staying with relatives or friends, the key is to talk with your
hosts before the visit and plan for any potential difficulties.
New experiences
Activities like camping can be fun, but they can also increase your contact
with outdoor pollen as well as your chances for encountering stinging
insects like bees, yellow jackets and wasps. Individuals with these allergies
should take appropriate precautions, such as avoiding camping during high
pollen seasons for those with pollen allergies, having appropriate medications,
and carrying injectable epinephrine to treat reactions to stinging insects.
(Those who experience a severe insect-allergic reaction must also obtain
immediate emergency medical treatment.)
If you are participating in an unfamiliar, strenuous sport, make sure
that you feel comfortable with your level of activity and that you monitor
your breathing. For instance, when mountain climbing, those with asthma
should be particularly cautious when considering going above 5,000 feet,
where the available oxygen decreases. Asthmatics should also be careful
when skiing or engaging in other cold weather sports, since cold air can
trigger asthma episodes.
Because scuba diving is a particular hazard for asthmatics, those with
asthma should snorkel in surface water instead. On the beach, those with
eczema and those taking specific medications that make them more sensitive
to the sun should avoid sun bathing for extended periods.
Using an ounce of prevention
If you are traveling with asthma or allergies, follow these recommendations
when planning a trip:
1. If you have active allergy symptoms or unstable asthma, have a pre-trip
physical.
2. Pack all medications you will need on your trip in your purse, briefcase,
or carry-on luggage so you don't lose them if your luggage is delayed.
Make sure you bring more than enough, and store them in their original
containers, which list instructions on how to take the medication and
obtain refills. Also, when flying abroad, the original container identifies
the medicines for custom officials.
3. Carry a peak flow meter, an asthma control plan and a copy of your
physician's phone number. Also, have on hand your emergency medications,
which can include antihistamines, broncho-dilators, self-injectable epinephrine,
and a short course of corticosteroids.
4. Remember the availability of portable nebulizers, and if traveling
abroad, check on the local electrical currents and on adapters for electrical
plugs.
5. If you cross several time zones, allow for time differences so that
medication dosage schedules will remain constant.
6. Continue your allergy immunotherapy ("allergy shots") if
you are traveling for extended periods of time. It is important to continue
this therapy, which should be administered following the recommended guidelines:
having supervision by a physician for at least 20 minutes following the
injection, and having injectable adrenaline available for treating adverse
reactions. If possible, it is better to achieve maintenance doses of allergy
immunotherapy prior to all travel. If traveling abroad with allergy extracts,
ensure they are clearly labeled with your name exactly as it appears on
your passport, and are refrigerated at all times.
7. Before traveling abroad, obtain the name of an AAAAI allergist practicing
in your destination area from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
and Immunology's Physician Referral and Information line, 1-800-822-2762,
or Physician Referral System on the Web site, www.aaaai.org.
8. Obtain travel medical insurance.
Being aware of potential hazards and taking appropriate precautions can
ensure an enjoyable trip for those with asthma and allergies. Bon Voyage!
For questions and comments about Worldtravelcenter.com, its World Travel Health newsletter, or its travel companion jetStream, contact Laura Bauer:
laura@worldtravelcenter.com
Phone: 1-800-234-1862
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