Traveling with Seasonal Allergies? - Here’s How You Can Do It Right

So, you’ve planned your first vacation ever since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. You’ve made all the reservations, packed your bags, and are all set to head out. But then you reach the destination and are struck with a bout of relentless sneezing.

This is the worst nightmare for anyone who experiences seasonal allergies. But if you’re prone to seasonal allergies, this is likely a bleak reality of your life. You must be all too familiar with the experience of a runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, et al. ruining a perfectly planned holiday.

While living with allergies is difficult, traveling with them can be excruciatingly painful. This is because you never know when and how the allergy symptoms are going to strike you. But that shouldn’t stop you from heading to far-off places and exploring new cultures.

The good news is that traveling with allergies doesn’t always have to be an unpleasant experience. You just have to choose the right destination and take suitable preventive measures. Thanks to modern technology, weather intelligence platforms even let you monitor the live pollen index at any location and accordingly improvise your itinerary.

In this blog, we’ll discuss a few simple tips to help you enjoy a relaxed vacation despite your seasonal allergies. Let’s get started.

1. Get the Timing and Location Right

It’s common sense to time your vacation according to the allergy season at the destination. For instance, if you’re planning to travel to New York, you should keep in mind that ragweed pollen season can start as early as August and last all the way till October.

Likewise, tree pollen season in New York usually peaks in April, while grass pollen is more prevalent in the months of May to July. That’s why you should use a reliable weather app or pollen tracking website to check the annual pollen forecast for your travel destination.

Also, you should consult a physician and get a precise idea of the allergens that trigger your symptoms. It’s wiser to travel when pollen season at the destination is in its most dormant phase.

Alternatively, if you can’t compromise on the timing, you should choose a destination where pollen isn’t prevalent during that period. For instance, if you’ve got to travel during spring, it makes more sense to go skiing in the mountains than sightseeing around a densely populated city.

2. Stock Up On Your Medication

This is yet another no-brainer for seasonal allergy sufferers. The last thing you want is to hop around pharmacies in an unknown country just because you forgot to pack your inhaler. The best way to avoid this scenario is to pack an adequate supply of all your allergy medication, including antihistamines, inhalers, nasal sprays, etc.

Also, make sure you keep your medicine pouch in your carry-on luggage. It’s also a good idea to get a letter of approval from your physician to prevent your medication from being confiscated at the airport or security checkpoints on the road.

3. Prepare for the Journey

Even before you reach the destination, you should take suitable precautions to prevent the onset of allergy symptoms. Irrespective of whether you’re traveling by air or embarking on a road trip, you’re not going to be immune to allergens during the journey. 

On the contrary, cabin pressure on a flight could dry your nasal cavity, causing irritation and sneezing. Likewise, pollen and dust accumulated in the air vents of your car could cause sneezing and coughing. That’s why you should take proper preventive measures for the journey.

If you’re traveling by air, keep a nasal mist or spray handy to prevent dryness and irritation. You could also use lavender oil to relieve nasal congestion and pain. If you’re traveling by car, turn the air conditioning on at least 10 minutes before you hop onto the vehicle. It’ll help remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from the seats and vents. 

Irrespective of your mode of travel, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, preferably warm water.

4. Bring Your Own Bedding

This may not always be practical. But if you’ve got the provision, it’s always wiser to carry your own pillows, bed sheets, and blankets. This is because the bedding at most accommodation facilities might contain tiny amounts of dust mites and other allergens.

If carrying your bed sheets and pillows isn’t feasible, try to find an accommodation facility that offers hypoallergenic bedding.

5. Never Let Your Guard Down

Just because you’ve reached the destination, it doesn’t mean you should throw caution and common sense out of the window. Instead, you should always err on the side of caution and check the live pollen index in your area before going out.

If you’re desperate to go out on a dry, windy day with a high pollen index, don’t forget to carry a mask. Also, make sure you take a shower after returning to your hotel room. Leave your footwear near the door to prevent allergens from spreading across the rooms.

Do you have any other useful travel tips for people with seasonal allergies? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.