Allergies are easy to manage when at home, but they may become harder to manage while traveling. Whether it’s a business trip or vacation it’s important that you get ready to travel without the torture of allergies. As you pack your bags consider and take into account your allergies and plan ahead. Research on the anticipated allergens you are likely to encounter and talk to allergy doctor on how to mitigate the allergens. Make sure that you pack the allergy medication and hypoallergenic pillows. Make sure that you can access an allergy clinic in your destination or as you travel.

How to Relieve Allergies as You Travel

• Plan and Prepare ahead of the Travel

Getting relief from allergies is the first step to enjoying your journey and vacation. Think about your journey and research on the destination. Speak to the allergy physician on the intended travel and consult on tips to manage allergies while traveling. If you suffer from asthma consult your asthma doctor on any mitigating measures. check the pollen count in your intended destination and plan accordingly. In case of any food allergies pack snacks that you can eat on the way.

• Allergies in the Car, train, and Plane

No matter what means of transport you choose to take there will be allergens and it’s important to know how to deal the allergens. If you traveling in a car ensure the following;

• Don’t travel in early mornings and late evening when pollen the pollen count is high
• Travel when there is low traffic as there is minimal pollution
• Close the window as you travel and use the air conditioner instead. Change the air filter before you travel to ensure that the air is clean.

When traveling on a plane ensure that;

• Ask your allergy doctor for a nasal spray to keep the air moist.
• Avoid plane provided blankets and pillows
• Confirm that the plane is smoke-free and if the flight allows smoking stay far away from the smoking zone. Adjust the air blowers so that they blow the cigar smoke away from where you are seated.

Traveling in a train

If you are traveling by research whether the train has a special area and whether they allow pets. When traveling in a train consider the following;

• Book the areas of the train they are secluded and for special groups
• Call the train management and inform them of your allergies

• Allergies in the Hotels and Restaurants

Look for hotels that are asthma and allergy free. There are hotels that offer hypoallergenic mattress and sleeping materials. Stay in hotels that don’t allow smoking. While booking the accommodation confirm whether the hotel offers special meals for people with allergies. Look out for the below;

• Ask for rooms that are sunny, dry and mold free to avoid allergies
• Look out for hotels that have a pet policy. If the hotel allows pets then to consider changing the hotel to avoid fur allergies.
• Ensure that the hotel is sparkling cleaning to limit chances of allergens.

Other Tips to Follow to Minimise Allergies While Travelling

• Learn  a few words from the language of your destination to ensure you can communicate
• Consider changing the vacation to an area with fewer allergens. If your destination has a high pollen count, consider changing your vacation to an area with lower pollen count.
• When using a plane, inform the plane attendants of your food allergies. If you have severe food allergies request the person next to you not consume the food you are allergic to in order to avoid a severe reaction
• If you have severe asthma ensure you have your asthma treatment with and before leaving for the trip visit the asthma doctor for a check-up.
• Keep your body covered to avoid insect stings that may cause severe allergies
• Wear hats and sunglasses to minimize the effect of pollen on your eyes.
• Don’t lose track of your medication schedule. Keep an alarm to help remember the medication timings
• Keep the windows and doors to your vacation home closed to keep out allergens
• On getting to your destination, research on where the allergy clinic is situated and raise an alarm in case your allergy begin to get worse.
• Carry the allergist Manassas VA contact number and have details about your allergies in your bag

The first spoon of solid food that a toddler eats is a milestone for every parent. It, however, comes with a lot of worries especially because you are not sure whether your child will be allergic to the food. At this point, you don’t know what your baby may be allergic to and how to avoid the allergens. Its imperative that the solid food introduction is done gradually so that you are able to monitor how the baby reacts to various foods. When you introduce new food type to the baby’s menu take three days before you can introduce any other food. Feed the child little portions of the new menu and keenly monitor the baby and in case of any severe allergy symptoms immediately consult the allergy physician to avoid any fatalities.

Foods that Cause Allergies in Babies

When you introduce new food be on the lookout for any allergies. The below food are main cause allergic reactions in young children

• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts and fish
• Soy and wheat

Food allergy symptoms in Babies

You will notice the baby has an allergy few minutes after eating the food. Be on the lookout for the below symptoms

• Skin rash or flushed skin
• Wheezing and coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Hives

Call the allergy specialist if you notice any severe symptoms. If you notice that the baby cannot breathe properly immediately take the baby to the allergy clinic for a checkup. Severe cases of vomiting and diarrhea should immediately be treated as they lead to dehydration which is fatal in toddlers. In case the baby develops mild allergic reactions, it’s important that you also consult your allergy doctor as at this stage the baby is still sensitive. Most allergies will go away on their own but it’s paramount that you identify the food causing the allergy. If you have a certain food allergy there is a chance your baby may develop the same allergy.

How to Protect Your Baby Against Allergies

• Introduction of allergens

Latest studies have shown that the baby should be exposed to allergens early enough and this will eventually prevent allergies. Introduction of a variety of foods to the baby at an early stage will help minimize chances of catching the allergy. Its recommended that foods such as milk and eggs which are known allergens should first be given at home other than daycare places to enable the mother to monitor the baby’s reaction to the food. Breastfeed your baby up to 6 months to minimize the chance of a milk allergy. Introduce the allergens one at the time and gradually as you monitor the reaction.  During this period consult the allergy doctor and he will be able to advise on how to go about the introduction.

• Consult your Allergy Doctor

Your allergist is a reliable source of information that you will need to be able to take care of your child. It’s necessary that you have all the information on how to protect your child against common food allergies as this will save you the heartache of a sick toddler. Talk to your allergy physician on foods that you can use as supplements in severe cases. The allergy specialist will also be able to advise on how to deal with allergies.

• Share the Plan of Action with the Care Giver

It’s important that the caregiver understands the child’s diet if you are going to leave the baby with the caregiver. Let them understand the implication and how to avoid allergens and the supplement the child needs. Caregivers need to understand that even the smallest amount of allergens may affect the child. Let the caregiver know the address to the allergy clinic and leave a contact for the allergy physician near you.

• Stock Only safe foods

Avoid stocking foods that may affect the child especially if you are leaving the child with caregivers or other members of the family. Storing the baby’s food with the allergens may cause confusion. Ensure that the baby’s food storage space only has allergen-free food

Food allergies can turn to anaphylaxis which causes a low blood pressure and makes breathing difficult. It’s therefore important that you plan ahead for the food your baby needs and ensure the advice of the allergist Manassas is followed diligently.