Traveling and vacationing are incredible experiences! You’ve been looking forward to relaxing, exploring and seeing what experiences your destination has to offer, whether camping in the mountains or visiting another country. But a flare-up of allergy symptoms could interrupt all of that. One has to wonder: why do allergies always seem to get worse while traveling?
Getting There
Your allergy issues may begin before you even arrive at your destination. Depending on how you traveled, you may have been exposed to allergens, triggering an allergic response.
- Confined spaces. Whether you travel by car or plane, this is a factor, but it’s especially prominent in planes. Traveling on a plane puts you in close contact with not only other people but also their luggage, which may carry some unwanted allergens.
- Recirculated air. Planes recirculate the air throughout the cabin, meaning those allergens mentioned above will be dispersed throughout the plane. Recirculated air also dries out fairly quickly, and dry air can irritate and dry out your nose and throat, making them more susceptible to irritation from an allergen.
- Outside air getting in. If you’re traveling by car and have the windows down, you may blow allergens straight into the car. Consider keeping the windows up.
- Mold and dust mites on surfaces and seats. Again, this can be a factor for both cars and planes, but it is more common in airports and planes.
New Environment
The primary reason allergy flare-ups are common on the road is the new environment.
- New allergens. Every place has its own unique mix of plants, trees and grasses, with their own unique types of pollen. If you have a pollen allergy, your body is sensitive to pollen, but it is at least familiar with the pollen species of your home. New pollen is unfamiliar, causing the allergic reaction to be even more intense.
- New climate. Pollen season may be different in the area you’re visiting, or humidity levels and temperatures may be higher or lower than you’re accustomed to. This can affect allergy symptoms. Lower humidity, for example, could dry out your throat, or a more tropical climate may have a longer growing season and, therefore, a longer pollen season.
- Air pollution. This may vary depending on your destination, but if you travel to a place with more air pollution, the air quality will be worse, and the pollutants in the air can trigger allergy symptoms or worsen existing symptoms.
- Stress. You may be on vacation to relax, but the logistics of traveling can be stressful. Stress hormones released in the body can exacerbate allergy symptoms, making you feel worse than you do at home in your familiar environments and routines.
Where You Stay
Hotels and other accommodations can be hotspots for allergens, so be on the lookout for:
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Pet dander from previous guests
- Tobacco smoke from previous guests
- Cleaning chemicals
How to Manage Allergies While Traveling
We’ve discussed why allergies worsen when traveling, so now let’s discuss what you can do about it.
- Pack with allergies in mind. Bring your preferred allergy medicine and quick-relief medications in case of a dramatic allergic reaction. If you’re flying in an airplane, keep these medications in your carry-on bag for access during the flight. Baby wipes are useful for wiping down seats and other surfaces that may have accumulated allergens. Consider bringing a hypoallergenic pillow, especially if you stay in a hotel.
- Look up weather and pollen count forecasts before you go.
- Stay hydrated. Keeping your nose and throat hydrated will help ward off irritation.
- Wear a face mask. Face masks are effective at filtering out allergens. Wearing a mask over your nose and throat will limit your exposure to allergens, especially in the airport or on the plane.
- Ask about allergy accommodations. Airports, airplanes and hotels may have allergy accommodation procedures you can take advantage of, such as portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or a room with tile, wood or other seamless flooring. Most hotel rooms these days are non-smoking, but it can’t hurt to request a non-smoking room to make sure.
- Consider immunotherapy. Immunotherapy, usually in the form of allergy shots or allergy drops, reduces your body’s reaction to allergens by introducing them to the body in small doses over time. This is a long-term treatment that will permanently reduce your reactivity to your known allergens. Call Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery today to learn more or make an appointment.
We at Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery want you to have a stress-free, allergy-free vacation. Plan well, relax and enjoy your trip!
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