Controlling Allergies While Traveling

• Before leaving home, moisten the nasal passages via nasal irrigation (a procedure using saline solution to clean out the nasal passages) and/or bring along a saline nasal spray. You may want to include moisturizing drops for eyes, too.

  An airplane is a breeding ground for allergens.

• You've heard it before: Drink plenty of water during the flight and stay away from dehydrating alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

• If you have food allergies, call the airline's catering department to ask about ingredients and request a special meal. However, once aboard, grilling the busy airline attendant about your dinner's exact ingredients is futile. They didn't cook it.

• Anyone with severe allergies should remember there is 30,000 feet of airspace between you and a hospital. Always carry injectable epinephrine, not to mention a copy of the doctor's prescription just in case you're stopped at security. In fact, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends that doctors provide their patients with a short signed note on office letterhead confirming the medical necessity of carrying an EpiPen or inhaler.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth during a flight. Passengers blame cabin air for causing a cold, but more often, the culprit is nasty bacteria lying in wait on interior surfaces that you touch. Bring hand wipes or waterless soap to clean your hands often.

• Wearing a charcoal-filter mask during long flights can help if you have sensitivities to cigarette smoke residue (from fellow passengers), perfumes, cleaning agents, pesticides, jet fuel exhaust, and formaldehyde. Be sure to alert the airline attendant before donning a mask...for security's sake.

• Ask to move if you are seated next to a person reeking of cigarette smoke or heavy perfume. Why suffer for hours when a simple polite request can often provide hours of easy breathing? These same precautions apply to bus and train travel, too.

• Before embarking on a long journey, run the car's air-conditioning or heater for five minutes to remove mold spores and dust from the vents. Try doing this as you are packing or looking at the map (outside of the car).

• There's nothing quite as fun as driving down a country road with the windows wide open. Unfortunately, you'll pick up plenty of unwanted hitchhikers doing so, namely pollens and mold spores. If you have allergies to either, roll up the window and turn on the air-conditioning.

• If renting a car, insist on a smoke-free vehicle.

• Update all your immunizations.

  The Role of Allergy ShotsAllergy shots and foreign adventure travel don't mix easily. Allergy serum needs refrigeration, and refrigerators are few and far between in places like Timbuktu. Before leaving, try to inquire about adequate and secure refrigeration at your destination. If such inquiries leave you cold, discuss temporary treatment options with your allergist.

• Take your allergy medication, plus an additional supply for unexpected delays.

• Carry all medication in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage, which can be lost or delayed.

• If you require regular allergy shots or other medical attention, it is wise to sign up for the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, commonly known as IAMAT. This nonprofit organization aims to help travelers find competent medical care through a network of doctors, hospitals, and clinics. All IAMAT-represented physicians are Western-trained and English speaking. Membership to IAMAT is free, although a small donation is requested. You'll be given a card and small booklet listing IAMAT physicians. Contact IAMAT at www.iamat.org or 716-754-4883. Otherwise ask your physician for recommendations.

• Keep all prescription and nonprescription medications in their original bottles. Accompany all prescription drugs with a signed letter from your doctor explaining your condition. This could come in handy should you need medical assistance or if you are searched by customs officials. You may also want to carry a written prescription for your mediations in case you need to replace lost or damaged medication.

  Buying Allergy Medicine in Other Countries Be careful about what allergy medicines you purchase outside the United States. Prescription drugs, such as Claritin, are easily available without a prescription in some other countries, as are some drugs that are no longer on the market in the United States, such as Seldane. This antihistamine was swept off pharmacist's shelves after causing abnormal heart rhythms in some people. Although many of these drugs are a bargain, consult with your physician first before buying allergy medications abroad.

• Bring any emergency medication, such as self-injectable adrenaline and inhalers.

• As you jet across those time zones, remember to take your medication on schedule.

• Pack your own hypoallergenic soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents. Chances are hotels, inns, and hostels only offer highly perfumed varieties.

• Bring your own sleep sheet, an easy-to-pack, light weight defense against chemical irritants or suspicious (unchanged) sheets.
  

• Nasal irrigation works wonders anywhere, but it does require water. If you can't drink the water at your destination, don't squirt it up your nose either. (It can drip down your throat.)
  
  
• Check your health insurance coverage for out-of-area care. Most insurance companies will pay for emergency treatment, but if your condition is less serious, you may need to follow specific procedures to qualify for reimbursement.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

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