How Can We Avoid Asthma Triggers at Our Destination?
Your child's triggers will determine the best ways to avoid them and prevent flare-ups.
Watching Out for Weather Conditions
If pollen or air pollution are triggers and you're traveling to an area with
high readings, you may want to go during times of the year when pollen counts and
smog levels are lower.
If your child's asthma is well controlled, you should be able to enjoy sightseeing,
hiking, and other fun activities. Just keep the asthma triggers in mind when planning
what you'll do. For example, avoid lots of walking or hiking when air pollution or
pollen counts are high or in very cold and dry weather. If you're camping, keep your
child away from campfires. Ski vacations or hiking trips aren't out of the question.
But make sure you plan for plenty of rest (indoors if possible), and carry your child's
quick-relief medicine at all times.
Be prepared to change your plans if your child is struggling with asthma symptoms.
Staying With Friends or Family
Make sure any friends or family you stay with know about your child's asthma triggers
before you arrive. Although they won't be able to clear away all dust mites or mold,
they can dust and vacuum carefully, especially in the room where your child will sleep.
Because it can take months for animal dander to be effectively removed from a room,
even if a pet isn't allowed in it, you might not want to stay with friends or family
who have a pet if animal dander is a trigger for your child.
Renting a Room
If you stay in a hotel, ask if it has allergy-proofed rooms. Requesting a sunny
room away from the hotel's pool might also help. If animal allergens are a trigger,
request a room that has never had pets in it. And you should always stay in a nonsmoking
room.
If you're staying in a rented cottage or cabin that's near the beach or in a forest,
ask that it be thoroughly aired out before you arrive.
Wherever you stay, consider bringing your child's pillow and blanket from home
so there's some hypoallergenic bedding.
Can Kids With Asthma Travel Alone?
If your child travels solo (to sleepover camp, to friends or family, etc.), talk
with the adults in charge. It's very important for parents, counselors, or chaperones
to have copies of the asthma action plan, a list of medicines, and all emergency phone
numbers. Also send written (and notarized) permission for them to care for your child
in an emergency.
Sit down with your child before the trip to go over the asthma action plan and
what to do in an emergency. Your child should know his or her asthma triggers, when
and how to take medicines, and how to recognize the signs of a flare-up.