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May 24, 2013

Fit Facts: No Vacation from Asthma Triggers

You can get out of town, but your asthma triggers can follow you. The same asthma control rules apply wherever you are. Try to avoid the common asthma triggers like pollens, molds, animal dander, and dust mites. Do you have an asthma action plan? Be sure to bring it with you. An action plan can help you use your medicine as prescribed to keep your asthma controlled and to help limit flare-ups.

If you are flying, remember these safety measures:

  • Store your asthma medicines – both your daily control and rescue medicine – in your carry-on luggage. You want to be able to get them if necessary.
  • Use a saline nasal spray to moisten your nasal passages if they get dry when you’re airborne.

Traveling by car? Consider these tips:

  • Have your car cleaned before leaving to get rid of allergens, such as dust mites and mold. Also, air out your car for 10 minutes right before leaving.
  • Try to travel in the early morning or late evening, when air quality is best.
  • To bypass pollens and air pollution, roll up your windows. Turn on the air conditioning, if necessary.
  • If you’re flying or driving across time zones, be sure to take this into account when calculating your medicine dosages.

If you’re staying at a hotel, plan ahead to avoid asthma symptoms:

  • Ask for a smoke-free, pet-free, allergy-proof room. If this is impossible, request a room in a dry, sunny spot away from any pools.
  • Bring your own dust-proof covers for pillows or mattresses. Or ask for synthetic pillows.

Are you staying with family or friends?

  • If possible, sleep in a room without carpets and pets.
  • Bringing your own synthetic pillow from home may also help.

Keep Track of Air Quality
Catch the weather report for the daily air quality index (AQI), which is a measure of air pollution. Asthma can get worse when you’re exposed to polluted air. When the AQI is higher than 100, stay indoors as much as possible. Limit outside activities to the early morning hours or after dusk.

On the go or at home, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s AIRNow website to get up-to-date air-quality information wherever you may be. 

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Management; Environmental Protection Agency

 
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