Travel Tips for People with Asthma

Advance planning will make it easier and safer to travel with asthma.

Travel will broaden your horizons—but it in exposing you to new environments, it will also expose you to new allergens. If you have asthma, you may be understandably concerned about having an asthma attack while traveling. The good news is, with a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can travel with confidence, knowing you are prepared to get the help you need quickly in the event of an asthma attack.

Here are some tips for what to do to get ready for your trip.

Review Your Symptoms

It is always important to make sure your asthma is well controlled, but especially if you are going to be in a new environment. A month or two before you plan to travel, take time to think about how often you are having symptoms, how severe those symptoms are, and how effective your emergency asthma medications are. If symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and daytime fatigue are interfering with daily activities like walking, sleeping, and household chores more than once a month, your asthma is not well controlled. You should make an appointment with your asthma doctor ASAP to review your treatment plan and adjust your medications.

Get a Portable Nebulizer If Needed

If you use a nebulizer to treat your asthma—either on a regular basis or during flares—obviously you need to bring your nebulizer with you on your trip. To make things easier on yourself, ask your asthma doctor for a prescription for a small, battery-powered nebulizer that will be easier to transport.

Refill Your Prescriptions

The last thing you want to be worrying about while on a trip is running out of medication. At least a month before your trip, request prescription refills for all your daily, quick relief, and emergency medications to make sure you will not have to worry about finding a pharmacy while traveling.

Book Allergy-Friendly Accommodations

If you have allergic asthma that is triggered by exposure to allergens like pet dander or pollen, you need to be careful about where you stay while on your trip. Some hotels actually offer allergy-friendly rooms with air purifiers and dust-mite proof bedding. In other situations, you will just want to be sure to request a room that does not allow pets. Having a room away from pools and parking lots can also help by limiting your exposure to chemicals, exhaust, and dust.

Keep Meds Within Easy Reach

Plan to have your medications within easy reach while traveling, in case of emergency. If you are flying, be sure your emergency inhaler is on your person or in a carryon below your seat, not up in the overhead bin.

Need an Appointment?

If you need to visit a doctor for help controlling your asthma or preparing for a trip, please contact Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group today.