Holiday Guidelines
People often worry that asthma exacerbation may occur away from home and are not sure whether it is safe to go on holiday. Planning ahead is important particularly where the holiday involves a foreign country. Travelling, particularly by air is not usually a problem.
Unfortunately there is no guaranteed safe or best place for people with asthma to go on holiday. It is obviously sensible to avoid trigger factors but not always possible to predict hazards in advance. Damp or mouldy housing, exposure to pollens or animal dander, house dust mites or certain weather conditions can all exacerbate asthma, air pollution is a problem in some countries.
However a GP visit provides an opportunity to have your treatment reviewed and discuss a management plan so you are aware how to manage your asthma on a day to day basis and how to deal with an emergency situation. A letter from him/her outlining the diagnosis and treatment may be useful in advising local physicians in the event of an attack. Regular preventative treatment should help to avoid most problems. Stepping down treatment before holidays should be avoided
Other Precautions to Take:
- Choose your holiday insurer carefully and ensure you policy covers asthma
- If you are travelling in Europe, make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- It is advisable to take all your asthma medication with you as hand luggage but please check with your airline due to security on hand baggage.
- Take sufficient quantities of inhaler and emergency medicines to last the period of your holiday.
- If you are scuba diving inform your instructor that you have asthma, some scuba diving instructors require you undergo a medical prior to scuba diving if you have asthma.
- Where a person is dependent on a nebuliser it is important to check the electrical voltage in the country and to make sure the nebuliser will work. Any necessary adaptors should be purchased in advance.
Pesticide Sprays on Planes:
Some aircrafts may be sprayed with a pesticide to prevent the risk of insects spreading disease such as malaria or dengue fever.
If you are flying in or out of a country where pesticide sprays might be sprayed on the aircraft you can take the following steps to minimise your exposure to the sprays:
- On check-in enquire if there is going to be a pesticide spayed on the flight and when it will take place.
- Take your reliever inhaler before the spraying takes place to avoid any deterioration in your asthma control.
- Reduce your exposure as much as possible by covering any skin exposed as much as possible with protective covering such as a sheet/towel.
- Dispose of protective covering on disembarkment. (Pesticides linger on fabrics despite intensive washing)
Allergy Precautions on Planes:
People with a peanut allergy can take the following steps to stay safe on an airplane:
- Wipe down the tray table, arm rest and seat.
- Bring your own food for the flight duration.
- Always have your emergency medication with you whilst travelling.
It is very important to remember that peanut allergic individuals fly safely every day without reactions. If you have any doubts contact the Asthma Society Helpline on 1850 44 54 64 or e-mail the Asthma Society on office@asthmasociety.ie.
