
WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Summer is almost here, and its arrival brings opportunities for many people – including those who suffer with allergies and asthma — to plan vacations away from home.
A recent article titled “Allergies don’t take a vacation” in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology encourages those with allergies and asthma to consider their conditions and consult with their allergist before embarking on a vacation to ensure maximum good health and opportunities for enjoyment while away from home. Annals is the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The article stressed that advance preparation for a vacation can ease the anxiety allergy and asthma patients sometimes face with the idea of being away from home and their regular care. Simple measures can make the vacation run more smoothly — like making sure prescriptions are up to date and filled so that you don’t run out while traveling. Consider bringing extra medications to use as needed for exacerbations of your allergic disease. It is also good to have your allergist’s contact information and research the location of pharmacies near to where you’ll be staying.
Those with hay fever or nasal allergies have different concerns than those with asthma or food allergies or eczema. Consider the following tips, depending on which allergic condition you suffer with:
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (nasal and eye allergies)
Asthma
Food allergies
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
For maximum fun on your summer vacation, keep the above tips in mind. Depending on the allergies or asthma experienced by your family members, you’ll want to carefully consider your vacation destination as well as mode of travel and planned activities — all of which can affect symptom onset. If you’re flying, bring all medications, including rescue medications, in readily available carry-on bags and make sure you can access them if there’s an emergency.
It’s not advisable to take a holiday from your allergy and asthma medications and management strategies. But advance planning can help you prepare for — and enjoy — your dream vacation.
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