Traveling for the holidays is delightful. Perhaps you’re going to see a loved one, or maybe you’re flying to a tropical location to escape the winter blues. Either way, you want your trip to be relaxing and fulfilling; an unexpected flare-up of allergies can ruin a whole trip.
What Happens When I Have an Allergic Reaction?
Your immune system is a sophisticated network that defends your body from threats, such as germs or other invaders. When you have an allergic reaction, it is the result of your immune system mistaking a harmless irritant for a threat and attacking it accordingly. The symptoms commonly associated with an allergic reaction—such as an itchy nose, sneezing or skin rash—are caused by chemicals released by the immune system as it tries to destroy the irritant.
What Are Common Allergy Triggers While Traveling?
The most common irritants that cause allergy flare-ups are pollen, dust mites, mold, mildew and pet dander, but your immune system could overreact to any unfamiliar foreign object, such as fragrances in cleaning products or cigarette smoke.
While traveling, you’re exposing your immune system to a large number of new, unfamiliar triggers. If the hotel or home you’re staying at uses a different brand of cleaning supplies than you do at home, for example, that could trigger allergies. If you’re going to a tropical location with different plant life and seasonal trends (and therefore different types of pollen) from your home environment, that could also cause a flare-up.
How Can I Manage Allergies While Traveling?
The good news is that there are some practical steps you can take while planning and packing, as well as some strategies to remember once you’re on the road, that can mitigate the effects of allergies while you’re in a new locale.
- Locate the nearest hospital. Hopefully, you won’t need to use this information, but it helps to know in case of an emergency.
- Pack allergy medications. Bring antihistamines to help mitigate allergies long-term, as well as quick-relief medications, such as decongestants and mild pain relievers. Also, bring topical creams for skin rashes, if those are a common symptom for you.
- Request pet- and smoke-free accommodations. If you’re staying at a hotel, seek out hotels that are smoke-free or pet-free to avoid pet dander and air quality irritants.
- Shower when you arrive. Allergens may have hitched a ride on your clothes and skin while on the plane or in the car. Shower and change your clothes to start fresh.
- Stay on schedule with immunotherapy. Ensure you’ve had your latest dose of allergy drops or allergy shots. It is possible to take injections at an outside medical facility, so talk to our allergy shot department if you need that option while you’re traveling!
If you need more information about managing allergies on the road or immunotherapy, contact ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons! We’re happy to help make sure your trip goes off without a hitch.