Allergies & Asthma On The Go

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Allergies And Asthma On The Go

If you have allergies — to food, pets, pollen, mold or something else — or if you have asthma, borrow a lesson from the Boy Scouts: Be prepared — all the time.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), allergies affect as many as 40 million to 50 million people in the United States, triggering more than 8 million visits to office-based physicians each year. And between 12 and 15 million Americans have asthma.

Allergic reactions range from merely annoying — a friend's cat may trigger a bout of sneezing — to potentially deadly. According to the AAAAI, approximately 150 people in the United States die each year from food-related anaphylaxis and at least 40 die from reactions to insect stings.

Experts say the cardinal rule for allergy sufferers is to know what you're allergic to and to predict and avoid situations where you're likely to be exposed to those allergens. This is particularly important whenever you are away from home, whether you are visiting a friend or traveling abroad. Even if you are rarely affected by your allergies or asthma, you cannot always predict what reaction you might have in a new environment. Make sure you are armed with the medications you might need if you have a reaction.

Hidden Risks

People with food allergies, in particular, need to be on alert. For example, the Sept. 2001 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the scientific journal of the AAAAI, reported that 28 percent of callers to a food allergy awareness organization reported having allergic reactions to "safe foods" that were later found to contain unlabeled food allergens. The foods that caused reactions were milk, peanuts, nuts, eggs, seeds and wheat.

In 2000, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection of 85 bakeries, ice cream makers and candy manufacturers in Wisconsin and Minnesota discovered that about 25 percent did not list ingredients that could possibly result in allergic reactions — even though most of the firms thought they were in compliance with food-labeling regulations.

Thus, it is very important that you stay informed and be prepared. Be aware of any situation that may put you at risk, and don't take any chances.

What You Can Do

When you're on the go, you can take steps to make sure your travels don't become memorable for all the wrong reasons. The AAAAI offers these tips:

Be prepared. Do your homework for your trip and be prepared for any unexpected event. Travel with a medical kit, including any allergy medications — prescription or over-the-counter — that help relieve your symptoms. Also pack medications in your carry-on luggage in case your checked luggage is delayed.If you have a potentially dangerous food or insect allergy, your doctor may have prescribed an epinephrine injection for emergencies. You should have one with you at all times. If your asthma is particularly severe, your doctor might prescribe prednisone for you to take with you when you travel. You and your doctor might have a plan for when you might have to use it or when to call for instructions. Take your physician's phone number with you. You never know when you might need to contact him or her.And here's one last tip: Don't forget to obtain travel medical insurance (or check to see what your own insurance policy covers). You may need it.

Take extra precautions if traveling abroad. If you're traveling abroad, check with your physician for any immunizations you may need. Make sure to carry your physician's phone number at all times. Take your allergy medications in their original containers, which are easier for customs officials to identify. And if you use a portable nebulizer, find out the local electrical currents of where you are going; if you need to, invest in an adapter for the electrical plugs.

Try to avoid triggers of food allergies. If you have any potentially life-threatening food (or insect) allergies, always carry an epinephrine kit to administer emergency medication. When eating in restaurants, ask how the food is prepared. You may want to contact the chef beforehand and outline your special dietary needs, especially if you're staying in a resort or taking a cruise and will be eating several meals in the same place. Bring extra food with you when traveling, just in case you experience any travel delays.

Check pollen counts. Check pollen counts and weather forecasts for your destination. Pollen doesn't affect all regions of the country at the same time. So if you've got a particular vacation spot in mind, go when you're least likely to experience symptoms. Good vacation bets, the AAAAI says, are the beach or mountains any time of the year. Ocean breezes are generally free of allergens, and dust mites don't thrive above 2,500 feet. In addition, snow kills mold spores.

Ask the hotel staff questions. Concentrations of dust mites and molds in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture can worsen your allergy symptoms. Fumes from cleaning products also can cause problems. So if you are planning to stay in a hotel or a bed and breakfast, ask in advance if there are allergy-proof rooms available. At a minimum, ask for a nonsmoking room with air conditioning and portable air filters. Also ask if any rooms are available with wood, tile or vinyl floors. If you're sensitive to molds, ask for a room away from the indoor pool.

Air out the car. Common allergens such as mites and molds can lurk in the carpeting, upholstery and ventilation systems of cars. So before you get into a car, turn on the air conditioner or heater and open the windows for at least 10 minutes. Doing so will help remove dust mites, pollens or molds from the system. Once on the road, keep the car windows rolled up and use the air conditioner. You can avoid excess air pollution by traveling early in the morning or late in the evening when the air quality is better and traffic isn't as heavy.

Prepare for the airplane. If you are traveling by plane, take an antihistamine in advance. And alert the airline if you have food allergies so you can get special meals. If you have severe asthma and occasionally require supplemental oxygen, make arrangements with the airline so you can bring oxygen with you. In addition, make sure your seat is as far as possible from the smoking section. All domestic flights are now smoke-free, but many international flights are not.

Investigate the ship. If you are taking a cruise, you should ask in advance about the capabilities of on-board medical staff and what type of medical issues they're prepared to handle. Check the climate and season of your destination and talk to your allergist about any potential hazards. Ask for smoke-free accommodations.

Don't let your guard down in private homes. Do your friends have pets? Are you going to a party where food will be served? Is there a Christmas tree, or a fireplace or a wood-burning stove? Indoor environments have numerous potential allergens — not all of which you can avoid.For example, it takes months before the allergic residue of an indoor pet may no longer cause symptoms, so it may be wise to take an antihistamine — or any other "pre-exposure" medication or inhaler that you use — before visiting a friend or relative with pets. Holiday treats can contain hidden, significant food allergens that may not be apparent just by looking at them. And molds thrive on Christmas trees and logs for stoves and fireplaces.The key to visiting is to talk to your hosts and plan for any potential difficulties.

The Bottom Line

Having allergies does mean some extra work on your part to travel safely, but being aware of potential hazards and using an ounce of prevention can ensure you'll have an enjoyable and memorable trip for all the right reasons.

Last updated October 24, 2001