Top tips for travelling with allergy
When you’re travelling, part of the excitement is a change in routine. What won’t change are your allergies and sensitivities, unfortunately. But we’ve got some great tips for you so you can be as prepared for your allergy while you’re away as you are at home.
Before you travel:
- If you’re affected by grass or weed pollen, try to limit your time in areas where this type of pollen may be high. Grass and weed pollen are often at their highest levels during the summer months.
- Holiday destinations on the coast or in the mountains tend to have lower pollen counts than those inland.
- If you have a house dust mite allergy, you may like to pack your own anti-allergy pillow and mattress protector.
- Check your holiday accommodation’s pet policy to make sure you’re not staying in a room that has previously housed an animal.
- If travelling by car, get your air filters checked. They might need to be replaced to ensure they are effectively filtering pollen.
- Remember to pack your allergy medication and supplements like lactase if you have an intolerance – it’s better to be prepared than trying to work out which medication in a foreign country matches your usual meds. Make sure you take enough to cover the whole time you’re away.
- If you have severe allergies and are at risk of anaphylaxis you need to carry your adrenaline auto-injector pens with you at all times. And do take the time to find out the emergency services numbers in the country in which you are travelling.
Getting there:
By car:- During high pollen times, keep your car windows shut and the air conditioning turned on.
- Remember that some allergy medications can cause drowsiness, so always check the leaflet inside or the back of the box before you drive.
- The air on planes can be rather dry, which can make a runny nose and congestion feel worse. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- If you have a food allergy find out if the airline has a policy for food allergies. And remember to order a safe meal for your allergy.
Once you’re there:
- Try wearing wrap-around sunglasses to reduce the amount of pollen getting to your eyes.
- Consider using a discrete nasal filter to help keep your nose free from pollen.
- Washing your hair before going to bed can help to remove pollen.
- It’s also a good idea to carry allergy translation cards or an app that can help you to identify allergens in other languages and explain your restrictions in restaurants.
But most of all:
Have a great trip!
