Summertime and the Living is Easy The shore, the mountains, the country, the big city, exotic locales or the old world ambiance of Europe are just some of the destinations chosen by vacationers during the period between the end of June and Labor Day. Travel may be a significant problem. Mold spores, pollens and dust mites can be present in the family car, the rent-a-car, the airplane, train or ship. For automobile travel – first turn on the air conditioning and run it with open windows for a few minutes to allow removal of mold spores and/or dust mites.
Windows while traveling should be closed with the A/C on the re-circulate mode. Pay attention to air quality advisories and travel during the off-peak hours if possible. Airplanes may cause problems in several ways. Drying of the mucous membranes may occur due to the relative low humidity of 10%.
Use nasal saline solutions frequently during the trip. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, which may worsen dehydration. Never fly with an acute ear or sinus infection. Nasal spray decongestants may help to prevent ear pain, as may chewing gum before and during takeoffs and landings. Individuals allergic to foods should order special meals in advance. Cruising can be very exciting and enjoyable.
Make sure an appropriate supply of medications is secured in advance. Dampness and high humidity foster the growth of molds, so be prepared with anti-mildew spray for the cabin. Hotel rooms can spoil vacations. Request nonsmoking rooms/suites in advance. A bright sun-exposed room will reduce mold exposure. Bring along your own
pillow with an allergen-proof encasing will reduce exposure to dust mites. These are specially woven to prevent exposure to mite fecal particles. Mountain and country residences or rentals should be thoroughly aired out upon arrival. Visiting relatives! Avoid prolonged visits to the homes of relatives with the presence of
animals known to provoke allergy symptoms including asthma. Do not sleep in moldy basements or on old mattresses. It is generally well worth staying at a local hotel/motel in preference to exposure to significant known allergens. Medication Reminders: Do not travel without an adequate supply of your
medicines including an extra inhaler (reserve). Also when out on touring or other excursions, always bring the inhaler with you! For asthmatics, a supply of oral steroids and an antibiotic is a good idea when spending extensive periods of time away from home. Be prepared to adjust medicines according to the various time zones. Generally
it is not a good idea to take your allergen solutions with you, especially if you are traveling to different locations over various periods of time. Long-term traveling, i.e. a new assignment or studying abroad is a different issue. Check with your allergy specialist. Finally, check in advance to find qualified allergy – asthma specialists in various locales including the US and abroad.
Finally, check your medical insurance coverage to see if it applies overseas. | 
