Experiencing an allergy attack while on vacation can be challenging, to say the least. Everyone else is all smiles and full of energy, while you have a never-ending runny nose and can barely keep your eyes open. I know; I’ve been there, and it’s not pretty. I’m the girl who had the allergy grid test only to have my entire arm swell up and be told that moving to another country is likely my best option. So, believe me, I’ve got you covered. Here are five of my best tips for traveling with allergies.
Know Your Triggers
Knowing what triggers your allergies is the first step to getting them under control. That way, you can sometimes predict when you will have a problem; if you’re lucky, you might even avoid it altogether. If you’ve never had an allergy test, consider getting one so that you know what makes your symptoms worse. If that isn’t an option for you, grab a small notebook and jot down a few notes each time your symptoms come on. After a while, you will be able to see if there is a pattern with your environment, food, pets, or even a relative’s perfume. Speaking of…
Get Ahead Of It
Each morning before I set out, I like to take a non-drowsy antihistamine, which helps to take care of anything I didn’t see coming. One of the most likely culprits when it comes to setting off my allergies is perfumes and scents. While I adore all the sensory experiences that are to be enjoyed in the Disney Parks, not all of them agree with me. A pre-emptive antihistamine can be just what I need to survive those unexpected moments of exposure. Depending on the season, I might double down with a nose spray as well.
Photo by Adrián Valverde on Unsplash
Be Prepared
When packing your backpack, keep any supplies you might need with you. I like to add a travel pack of tissues, some medications, and a small packet of wipes. I do this because often, my allergies begin with my skin, and having clean wipes that I can wipe down my face and neck early on will stop me from being a watery-eyed mess before midday. In Spring, when the pollen in the air can be at its most challenging levels, being able to wipe my eyes and face clean is a lifesaver! If you are an asthma sufferer like me, always have a Ventolin on hand. No matter how long it has been since it last struck, always have one with you when visiting a new environment. I also pack a small tube of medicated cream for any flare-ups of eczema and eye drops in case I end up with irritation that makes it harder to enjoy my Disney day.
Test Out Sunscreen & Moisturizer
This one I learned the hard way! Have you purchased a fancy new sunscreen or moisturizer for your trip and are pleased with your preparedness? I’ve had that moment, too; only when I arrived at the Walt Disney World Resort, I found out that there was something in my fancy new skin products that gave me a skin reaction. After one whole day of itchy, sore skin, I trotted on over to the nearest shops and grabbed my trusty usual brand. If you are taking new products, be sure to try them out at home first and make sure they don’t give you any trouble.
Bring Your Own Shower Products
Whether it is the scent of them or the skin reaction you might have, stick with what you know. If your products at home don’t cause any issues, consider bringing them with you instead of the resort shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Some resort products can exacerbate eczema and psoriasis, conditions that are uncomfortable and hard to manage at the best of times. What seems like a hassle before you leave can save you from an awkward vacation of allergic reactions.
Keep in mind I am not a doctor, just an avid traveler who has found a few ways to work around the inconvenience of extreme allergies. You might be wondering where the tips for food allergies are. Don’t worry; they are on the way. Stick with us next week, and I’ll share with you my top five tips for visiting the parks with food allergies curated from a lifetime of making these mistakes so that you don’t have to. See you then.
