Travelling with allergies

Preparing your trip

Are you fit to travel?

Planning a trip can be stressful for anyone, but even more so if you are suffering from allergies. To stay safe, you will have to be even more careful than at home, as you will be confronted with a new environment and possibly exposed to new allergens. It is therefore very important to plan ahead carefully and to be vigilant during your trip.

Choosing your destination

Some destinations are naturally more allergy friendly than others. To minimize possible risks, learn about local conditions that could set off an allergic reaction and avoid travelling to places that might harbor known triggers for your allergies. If, for example, you are allergic to pollen, it is best to choose a destination where there is little pollen in the air, such as plains, windy shores, boat cruises or trips to the desert.

Keep in mind that exposure to allergens such as mold, pollen and mites is higher in tropical, damp climates; while cold, damp climates favor indoor molds and house dust mites. Be careful in altitudes higher than 2000 meters, as the amount of available oxygen progressively decreases and this can worsen allergic attacks.

Medical preparations

See your physician

In any case, and especially if you haven't had a checkup recently, see your physician. He can provide you with further information concerning risks linked to your allergies that may arise in your destination. Your physician might also suggest some tests to determine whether you are allergic to any exotic substances that are likely to be encountered upon your arrival.

Medication

Depending on your destination, you may have to be immunized against certain diseases like yellow fever, encephalitis or the flu. This can be problematic if you are allergic to ovalbumin (the main protein found in eggs, which are used in the production of immunizations). However, if the immunization is obligatory or if you cannot avoid travelling to your destination, your physician may consider allergen immunotherapy to be necessary.

Do not forget to pack all the medication you will need on your trip. It is best to take with you twice the amount that would be sufficient for the duration of your journey. Keep medication in its original packaging to avoid problems with customs as well as to aid doctors in case of an emergency. If possible, store your medication in two different bags, but keep in mind that one of them should always be close at hand (e.g. in carry-on luggage if you fly) so that you can easily access your medication if necessary.

What to take with you

For safety reasons, it is a good idea to carry certain documents with you during your trip. If you use medication and are travelling to a foreign country, it is necessary to have a prescription that indicates the generic name of the medication in English, especially if you use cortisone or injectable adrenaline. Remember to write down your doctor's name and contact details in case of an emergency. If you are allergic to certain foods, an allergy translation card can help you to indicate accurately to hotel and restaurant personnel which ingredients must be avoided. Remember to always have some safe snacks with you during your trip, as you cannot always be certain to find suitable food while travelling.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance before leaving, as you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition. Medical bills can be very expensive abroad, and if any health problem related to your allergies should arise, insurance coverage will be necessary.

Transportation

By plane

When you have allergies, travelling by plane can be problematic, but you should be fine as long as you take the following advice into consideration.

If you suffer from severe asthma and occasionally need supplemental oxygen, you may require additional oxygen at cruising altitudes of 10,000 meters. This should not prevent you from travelling, but you should arrange the matter well in advance with the airline.

Should you suffer from food allergies, be very careful when eating airline food, as it is usually prepared by a vendor and the specific ingredients used may not be known. You can ensure not to go hungry by bringing your own snacks along, but you may be asked upon arrival in a foreign country to surrender this food.

If you regularly take medication and will be crossing several time zones during your flight, make not of the time difference so that you can keep your medication schedule constant.

By car

A lot of common allergens like mites and mold can sometimes be found in carpeting, upholstery and ventilation systems in cars and buses. It is therefore recommended to turn on the air conditioner and open the windows for at least ten minutes before going on a long trip.

While on the road, keep the windows of the car closed to protect yourself from outdoor allergens such as pollens and molds as well as air pollution caused by heavy traffic. Travel in the early morning or late evening to avoid excess air pollution.

At your destination

Precautions

Depending on the type of allergies you have, you will have to be attentive to all possible hazards once you have arrived at your destination. For instance, if you are allergic to certain kinds of insects, specifically bees, stay away from beehives and avoid walking barefoot. Use insect repellants and mosquito nets and wear light clothing that covers your arms and legs. If you are allergic to mites and staying in a holiday home that was closed during some part of the past year, aerate upon arrival and isolate the sheets from the mattress. Closing air conditioner vents in hotel rooms can also help to keep allergens under control.

If you are allergic to certain kinds of food, be sure to always ask which ingredients were used to prepare your dish when eating out. It is best to stay away from other animals if you are allergic to cats and dogs because of the risk of cross-allergies. If you buy medication in a foreign country, remember to check which substances where used in preparing the medication.

In case of emergency

If you experience any sign of an allergic reaction (swelling, itchiness), see a physician. In case of a major allergic reaction, warn people around you and have them call emergency services. If you are allergic to insects and stung, call emergency services, try to extract the stinger and take the medicine you brought along.