The holidays are a popular time to travel. Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones for the holiday or escaping the cold weather at a tropical destination, you could be surprised by allergies. Don’t let allergy symptoms disrupt your trip.
Common Allergy Hazards While Traveling
Any time you change your environment, you encounter new allergens. Every location has its own plants, air quality and irritants that could trigger allergy symptoms. You’ll especially notice these types of allergens if you’re at an exotic outdoor location, as you explore unfamiliar flora and fauna that might trigger your immune system to react.
More commonly, in the winter, you’ll be exposed to indoor allergens, such as mold, mildew, dust, pet dander or fragrances, especially if you’re staying in a hotel or at someone else’s home. If they use cleaning supplies or laundry detergent that your body doesn’t recognize, or if they have a pet you have an allergy to, it could trigger a reaction.
How to Plan for Allergies
As you prepare for your trip, there are some practical strategies you can use to make sure those pesky allergy symptoms don’t ruin your vacation.
To begin with, make sure you pack your allergy medication. Bring your preferred antihistamine to take daily to build up antihistamines in your body. Also pack some quick-relief medications, such as decongestants or mild pain relievers, in case you get surprised by symptoms and need to bring the reaction down quickly.
When you arrive at your destination, you can try to mitigate the presence of allergens by cleaning up your space right away. If you pack baby wipes or other cleaning agents, you can wipe down surfaces that might be dusty. This is especially valuable in hotel rooms, where pet dander or cigarette smoke may linger from previous guests (despite daily cleanings from the cleaning crew).
If you’re on an immunotherapy program, ensure you receive your drops or shots on schedule. If you have an appointment before you travel, that could help immensely while you’re on the road. Immunotherapy is especially effective for treating allergies and allergy-related asthma caused by dust mites, which can be a big allergy hazard while traveling. Stay up to date on your immunotherapy and stay happy and healthy on your trip!
If you have any questions about starting immunotherapy or need more information on traveling comfortably with allergies, call Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more.
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