There are a variety of things that people consider when booking a summer holiday — where they're staying, how much they plan on spending, and much more. But one thing that many fail to consider is their allergies, which can be a large mistake.

This often leads to many vacationers having their time ruined by an allergy attack at the start of their holiday, or even on several occasions during their stay. Luckily, there are several ways around this. We've found that preparation and planning can be key to avoiding any mishaps.

To do so effectively, there are a few things that you should look at while planning, and then going on, your holiday.

Before You Go

Before you go on vacation, there are a few things that you'll have to consider. The most obvious of these is where you're planning to go. This is driven by how much pollen certain areas have, which can be much higher in certain countries and cities than others.

That doesn't mean that you'll need to avoid these countries completely. In contrast, it means that you'll need to spend more time preparing for the holiday. This typically means getting enough allergy medication to last the length of your stay.

There are a few other things that you may not have considered. For example, if you have travel insurance, you should check to see if this covers allergy attacks. Once you know where you'll be staying, you should then find out where the nearest medical facility is. You should also know the number for local emergency services.

By doing so, you'll be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Although this will hopefully be avoided, it's better to be safe than sorry.

On The Way

How you travel on your holiday can make a large difference in managing and preventing an allergy attack. This means that there are a few things you should keep an eye on depending on your mode of transportation. If you're taking a plane, for example, then we recommend that you keep your medications in their original packaging.

This will avoid any potential issues with security as you travel, especially if you bring translation cards with you. These should explain your allergies and the medications that you have with you. We should also note that you should keep any medicines in your carry-on. While this should be obvious, it can be surprising how many people don't do so.

Some airlines will have specific policies about allergy medications. This means that you should consider speaking to their airline when booking your flight. By doing so, you'll ensure that you know what their policy is and how it might affect you. This will also give you the chance to alert them about your allergy in advance.

Many people will also be worried about the 100ml liquid rule. This doesn't apply to medication, so you shouldn't be affected by this. We should note that you should check to see if the airline itself has any policies related to this.

While you're on the plane, you should also inform staff about your allergy. This will ensure that they don't give you any foods or drinks that may include ingredients you can’t have.

If you're going to be driving to your holiday destination, then there are a few factors you should consider.

• Drive either at night or in the early morning. This will mean there's less traffic on the road, and less smog and fumes as a result.
• Drive with the air conditioner on and the windows up. This will reduce, if not avoid, the build-up of any allergens in the car. Coupled with the tip we've already mentioned, this means that you should completely avoid any allergy attacks while on your way.

Once You're There

Once you've reached your destination, there are a few things that you should do.

• Ensure that the room has been thoroughly cleaned. This can be done as soon as you arrive at the hotel by asking the receptionist.
• Mention your allergy. This will allow hotel staff to ensure that any dust or dirt that may affect you has been properly removed.
• Take a shower once you're in your room.

While many hotel rooms will be smoke-free, we recommend that you ask for this option. This is because there are some hotels which will allow smoking in certain places. By asking, you should be placed as far away from these areas as possible.

General Advice

When it comes to summer holidays, we've found that there are a few other factors that you should consider to avoid allergy attacks.

• Bring allergy-free pillowcases with you.
• Bring bed sheets with you.
• Wearing a high-factor sunscreen.

Ready to discuss seasonal allergies with our board-certified allergists? Contact us at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia today at (404) 994-3574 to book your appointment.