Camping with Allergies and Asthma

First and foremost, it’s important to be aware of the allergens that you may encounter when staying in your open-air accommodations. Not surprisingly, they are the same triggers that you come across in your daily life:

• Food
• Insects
• Dust
• Campfires
• Sun and heat
• Poison plants (ivy, sumac, oak)
• Trees, grasses and weeds
• Mold

If you’ll be traveling with children who suffer from allergy or asthma, remind them of the importance of being prepared on camping trips. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAI) has created an interactive game and key that will help identify what triggers to look for.

So what can you do to keep allergies at bay and stay a healthy and happy camper?

1. Check your scripts. Make sure you won’t run out of your allergy medication while you are away. Your doctor may even be able to prescribe a higher dosage or suggest an additional treatment for the short period you will be highly exposed. Don’t forget to pack them.
2. Check the pollen count for the place you’ll be setting up camp. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare when you’re packing.
3. Buy a hypoallergenic tent with good flaps to keep the allergens out. You can also buy hypoallergenic sleeping bags.
4. Create an allergy-free menu. Pinterest offers great recipes from gluten-free corn dogs to nut-free trail mix. And what fun is a campfire without s’mores?
5. Have a in-case-of-emergency plan. It’s always smart to bring a first-aid kid when you travel, especially when you are camping. Also be sure that everyone on the trip is aware of the allergy issue and knows how to react accordingly, whether that be with an antihistamine, an EpiPen, and/or a call to 911. In the article “Camping with Food Allergies? Follow This Advice for Maximum Fun, Safety,” the author states the importance of researching cell phone reception and knowing where to find the closest emergency center just in case.

If you want to take a permanent vacation from your allergies, call CT Sinus Center at 860-BALLOON to make an appointment. When you first come in, our expert team will talk to you about which allergy symptoms you are experiencing. Next, through our patient-centered philosophy and up-to-date diagnostic tools, we will pinpoint what is causing your suffering and develop the right treatment for your lifestyle. With our four conveniently-located locations, traveling to an office won’t be much of a hike.

Make scary (allergy) stories something you tell over the fire, not something you experience.

For more information on sinus– and allergy-related conditions or treatments, read more about CT Sinus Center and take a look at our blog.