Each year, millions of people – including some of the nation’s 50 million allergy-sufferers – hit the road for business trips and vacations. As if traveling itself isn’t stressful enough, allergy-sufferers often experience added tension from having to manage their conditions on the go and when staying in unfamiliar settings.
Steven Hong, the founder of Sylvane.com, knows this stress all too well. "When I’m going on a trip, whether it’s for business or pleasure, I have to remember to prepare for unexpected allergy triggers wherever I go", he says.
Hong suffers from a variety of indoor and outdoor allergies, including dust mites, tree pollen, grass, and ragweed allergies. Aggravated symptoms can make any trip very unpleasant. Therefore, it’s important to prepare ahead of time to help cut your risk of an allergy attack.
To help others like him keep allergies under control during travel, we offer these 5 tips for preparation and relief.
Check The Forecast
Study up on the air quality forecasts before you depart. Weather.com provides pollen count, allergen, and air quality forecast maps that are updated daily. Check the statistics for your destination before you leave and pack the appropriate types of allergy relief. When possible, try to schedule your trip at times when the air quality in your destination is highest, and have a look at our guide to hypoallergenic hotel chains.
Take specific precautions depending on your mode of transportation.
- When traveling by car, open the windows and run the air conditioner for about 10 minutes before you get inside. This will help get rid of any dust mites or mold spores that have taken up residence inside the air conditioning system. When driving, keep the windows closed to lock out pollen and other allergens and set the car’s air conditioner to re-circulate air internally instead of pulling air in from the outside.
- When traveling by plane, remember to pack all allergy medications in your carry-on bag in case you need them during the flight. If you suffer from nasal allergies, which can become aggravated by dry cabin air, pack a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages moist. To relieve sinus pressure during the flight, chew gum, drink liquids, and swallow frequently.
- When traveling by ship, research air quality and possible allergy triggers in your destination(s) ahead of time and prepare accordingly. If you are heading to a warm, humid climate, you may encounter high levels of congestion-causing pollen and mold. On the contrary, the dry air found in colder climates might irritate existing respiratory conditions. You may also want to ask about the availability of adequate medical care onboard if you experience heightened symptoms.
- Get dust mite-free rest anywhere with protective bedding. Hotel beds are notorious breeding grounds for dust mites. The same goes for beds in guest bedrooms that may not be used very frequently. One way to protect against these microscopic allergy triggers is to bring your own dust mite-proof bedding. Many types of allergy bedding include pillow covers and mattress covers designed to stop dust mites already living inside pillows and mattresses from breaking through and invading you while you sleep. These linens can easily be rolled up to fit snugly in a suitcase.
- Zap away allergens and germs with a travel-size UV sanitizer. Keep your immediate surroundings clean and allergen-free with a travel ultraviolet air purifier, such as the Purafil Purashield Mini HEPA Air Scrubber for Cars and Small Spaces. This unit uses a pre-filter, molecular filter, HEPA Filter, and UV light to eliminate over 99% of targeted viruses and bacteria when used in small spaces, offices, hotel rooms, and cars. This HEPA air purifier can be mounted on your car’s dashboard, the center console, or behind the headrest.
- Filter out unfamiliar irritants with a compact air purifier. Clean the air wherever you are with a personal-size air purifier, such as the AirFree T Portable Air Purifier. Use this 1.5-lb. unit in your hotel room or guest room to filter out airborne allergens, cigarette smoke, and chemical irritants. The travel-friendly air cleaner uses sanitizing heat to capture even the smallest particles with little noise disturbance. It continually draws in air from the room, heating it to over 400 ºF and instantly sterilizing it. The purified air is then cooled inside the device before being returned to the room.
Consult A Medical Professional
In addition to these tips, it’s important to consult with your doctor or allergist before your trip to find out their recommendations for handling your symptoms while you travel. He or she can also recommend an allergist who practices in your destination should you find yourself in need of medical attention.
In Summary
If you're an allergy sufferer, take a look at weather forecasts, pollen counts, and be sure to pack necessary items like air purifiers and medications prior to traveling. Don't forget to consult with your healthcare provider about the best allergy prevention tools for you.
Looking For More Information?
If you're looking for additional resources on air purifiers, travel, and how to keep your indoor air clean, take a look at some of our other great resources.
- Travel Air Purifier Options: Enjoy Clean Air During Holiday Travel
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- 5 Things To Consider When Buying An Air Purifier
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Still, Got Questions?
For more information on specific products and ways to improve your indoor environment, review our extensive product listings and other educational materials. Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Contact our product experts toll-free at 1-800-934-9194 for a detailed consultation. Our goal is to make your indoor environment healthy and comfortable.
