If you have asthma or allergies, a couple of hours on a plane can give new meaning to the term airborne allergens. The threat of noxious irritants and triggers can make air travel feel like torture, but it doesn’t need to be. You can still avoid your triggers even when you yourself, not just the allergens, are airborne.

Start avoiding your triggers even before you get on the plane. Do you have a peanut or other food allergy? When you make reservations, find out whether peanuts will be served on board. Some airlines have banned in-flight peanuts altogether. With at least 48 hours notice, many domestic airlines offer specially prepared lunches or dinners that can take your allergies into account. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) cautions the food-allergic to bring their portable, injectable epinephrine on board, just in case.

Airport terminals are awash in allergens. Consider wearing a filter mask to protect yourself from airborne allergens, like pollen, mold, and mildew spores. You might also try a personal air purifier, a pager-sized device that blows filtered air toward your nose and mouth.

Continue protecting yourself on board the plane, where dry cabin air can irritate airways and changes in altitude can produce sinus congestion. The following actions can help prevent dry, allergen-rich airplane air from bringing you down:

• Stay hydrated.
• Take a large bottle of water in your carry-on luggage.
• Avoid alcohol and cola drinks, which can dry you out.
• Bathe your sinuses with a saline nasal spray once every hour to keep nasal membranes moist.
• Swallow often and chew gum to relieve altitude-related congestion and headache.
• Bring along a complete supply of your allergy or asthma medications and use them as directed.
• Pack your medical history, asthma management plan, proof of insurance, and referrals to a local physician or hospital.

If you’re prepared, you’ll be better able to relax and enjoy your trip.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 10:04 am and is filed under Seasonal & Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.