How Can You Travel Safely With Allergies?

Summer is finally in full swing!  Bags are packed and people are heading out of town to enjoy a respite from the city heat.  Traveling with allergies can be difficult and I've put together these easy tips that I hope will make your trip more focused on R & R and less about your allergies.

Have food allergies?

• Do a quick search to see what restaurants in the area are friendly for those with allergies.
• Have a travel anaphylaxis kit to carry in you carry on or purse include quick melt antihistamines and your injectable epinephrine.

Have asthma?

• Bring an extra inhaler along with you in your bag.  You never know what kind of environmental triggers you'll be exposed to in your vacation home.
• Check out common triggers/environmental exposures you might face in that location.  Weather.com can give you specific information about pollen and mold counts depending on where you are headed.
• Ask your doctor to put together an emergency supply of medicine that you can bring with you in case you get sick- this will help keep you out of an unfamiliar emergency room,

Have skin allergies?

• Bring travel size versions of your favorite sunscreens, moisturizers, shampoos/conditioners
• Ask your doctor for a small tube of a corticosteroid to carry with you just in case; no one wants to be itchy and scratchy while on vacation

Going somewhere where they speak another language?

• If you have food allergies  translate your food allergy before you go.  It might help to put this on a card and carry it with you to make sure there's no confusion
• In many countries asthma and allergy medications are over the counter.  Translate your problem so you'll be able to effectively communicate with the pharmacist there.

With these simple effective tips, your vacation will be filled with laughter, love, and beautiful memories rather than a trip the doctor

Want more directed tips on allergies and travel?  Feel free to email me at jcollins@gramercyallergy.com, click here to schedule an appointment, call the office 212-679-3574 or check out our new website- www.gramercyallergy.com