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How to Avoid Triggers for your Allergies When You Are Outside or Traveling

There is so much enjoyment when the warm weather allows for more outside activities or for traveling. It would be a shame to spoil the fun with allergy symptoms. Here are a few suggestions for keeping the allergies out of the picture this year.

While traveling by car, keep your windows closed and set the air conditioner so that it will re-circulate the air. This way the pollen stays outside the vehicle. Do not allow smoking of any tobacco products while passengers are inside your car.

When outdoors playing or gardening do your best to avoid wooded areas or gardens. Make sure that you check the weather before going outside. If the weather is hot, dry, or windy, the pollen counts will be high. On these high count weather days stay indoors.

Individuals who not only have allergies but also have asthma need to remember that it is important to avoid those days when there are extreme temperature changes.

Individuals who have allergies to mold should avoid raking leaves, or working with hay or mulch.

When you have been outside, you should take a shower, and wash your hair. Then, after your shower, change into fresh clothes. This procedure will remove any pollens on you and your clothes that you have collected while outside.

If you are allergic to insect stings you should avoid wearing any product that is scented, as insects are attracted to scents. Avoid wearing scented shampoos, deodorants and of course perfumes.

Hanging clothes outside on a clothes line may make your clothes sunshine fresh but they will also collect any pollens blowing around in the breeze that is drying your clothes. When you put on these clothesline-dried clothes the pollens on them will make your symptoms appear.

Traveling should be a pleasurable time and as stress-free as possible. To make sure that your allergies do not interrupt your plans make sure that you bring along a carry-on bag with your medicines inside. Bring extra medication so that if your trip is prolonged you won't run out of allergy medications.

While traveling, you may need to stay in a hotel. Hotels do not need to be breeding grounds for your allergies. Make sure you ask for a room that has always been a non-smoking room. Smoke can collect in fabrics in the room just waiting for your sensitive nose. Make sure you ask for synthetic, nonallergenic pillows or bring plastic covers with you to place on them. If the room is air-conditioned make sure that you keep the vent on the room air conditioner shut to avoid outside allergens from entering your room.

When eating out, make sure that you chose the restaurants that are smoke-free. If you have food allergies, make sure that you speak with the chef to be sure that all of your foods are prepared without the ingredients that you are allergic to. Ask how the foods are prepared and if the foods are fresh. If your allergies are moderate to severe make sure that you always carry an epinephrine injection kit with you at all times.