 Travelling
with Asthma
Asthma is a serious condition which can often be aggravated by
various things when traveling, but proper planning can still make
for an enjoyable vacation.
Even before booking your trip, make sure your asthma is well under
control. If you’ve been experiencing flare-ups, visit your
doctor. It is also a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet
and program emergency contact numbers into your cell phone under
the address book heading ICE (in case of emergency). The “ICE”
idea took off in Britain and is now being publicized in North America.
Medications and Equipment
Take along a kit containing your meds (in their original bottles or
packaging) and pack back-up qualities. These should be in your carry-on
luggage and should be easily accessible at all times. If traveling
outside of your home country bring along a doctor’s note explaining
your condition and the exact medications prescribed to treat it.
The letter should include both the trade name and the generic name
of the drugs. Some countries may have different trade names.
If you use a nebulizer or a peak-flow meter be sure them along.
It would also be wise to bring electrical outlet converters if traveling
overseas. Portable nebulizers powered by a cord which fits into
your car’s cigarette lighter are also available..
Pollen Counts
While there may not be a high pollen count at home, that may not be
the case at your destination. If traveling in the U.S. visit www.aaaai.org
or watch the weather channel for national pollen counts. If traveling
to Britain, their weather channel has online information about pollen
counts www.uk.weather.com.
Don't forget that seasons in destinations like New Zealand and Australia
are actually opposite from those in North America. So when fall is
setting in the U.S., spring is on its way "down under".
Hotels
Hotel rooms can be a haven for dust mites and mold. When booking,
ask for a non-smoking room or if a special allergy-free room is available.
Also be sure the room is air-conditioned and bring along your own
pillows or mite-covers. If sensitive to mold ask for a room on the
sunny side of the hotel as far away from the indoor pool as possible
.
Car Trips
Before hitting the road take 10 – 15 minutes to air out your
vehicle. You can do this by opening the windows (in a low pollen environment)
or running the air-conditioning. You may even want to vacuum the upholstery
with a HEPA vacuum if available. For those sensitive to air pollution,
you may want to travel early in the morning or late in the day to
avoid excessive road traffic. It’s also advisable to travel
with your windows closed and the air-conditioning on.
Air Travel
Airplane air quality can often have an effect on allergies and asthma.
The air on planes tends to be very dry, so make sure to drink plenty
of fluids during the flight. If you have severe asthma and occasionally
require supplemental oxygen, you must arrange this with the airline
long before the flight. Some flights also permit portable nebulizers,
but be sure to verify this in advance.
Note the information provided is for educational purposes only.
See you doctor for advice on your specific medical conditional.
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