When you’re on holiday or on vacation, the last thing you want is to get sick or having an allergic reaction, let alone a serious one. That’s why it is so important to be aware of what you’re eating, the cleanliness of your accommodations, details your specific allergies, and more.
According to the Center for Disease Control, one in four Americans suffers from allergies. A Cornell University survey found that 1/3rd reported that they or a family member had allergic reactions while traveling. “From bad sleep, lethargy, itchy eyes and coughing to more serious allergic reactions and even infectious diseases, these pollutants can have a negative impact on our enjoyment of a vacation or the productivity of a business trip,” says Brian Brault, CEO of PURE Solutions, a company working to create allergy-friendly rooms in hotels all over the world.
So, how can you help to prevent allergic reactions and getting ill on your vacation or travels? Read up on these tips by PURE Solutions on Healthy Traveling. While you’re here, be sure to check out tripatlas.com/new’s article How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Traveling.
Tips & Precautions from PURE Solutions on Healthy Traveling
Ask for an allergy-free, pet-free and no smoking hotel room. Increasingly hotels, notably those in major cities, are responding to worldwide consumer interest in and demand for more healthy accommodations. The closer you can come to enjoying a PURE room, the more enjoyable your trip will be.- Sunshine and dry air minimize the growth of various types of irritants and contaminants, so try to get a hotel room that is bright and sunny, and well away from such facilities as swimming pools.
- Air circulation is key to a healthy hotel room so make sure that yours has good ventilation.
- It may run counter to the “fresh air is always good for you” myth, but air conditioning is often a wise idea when traveling by car and staying in a hotel room, particularly for those who have allergies or are sensitive to airborne pollutants. It may not be possible in the rainforest but it’s always helpful to try to keep humidity low, ideally at 50 percent or lower because moisture is generally needed for bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to grow. Air conditioning helps do this.
- Know your destination. Allergy and pollen seasons, temperatures and humidity, rainy and dry seasons all vary around the country and the world. The more you know about conditions in your destination at the time of your visit, the easier it is to prepare for possible discomfort. Try to plan your trip for a time of the year when indoor and outdoor pollutants are at a minimum
- Bring your medications. Be sure to plan ahead, even consult a doctor if necessary, to ensure that you are prepared to combat whatever allergy or irritant might rear its ugly head during your travels. Have medications, especially anything needed for a sudden, serious allergic reaction, readily available at all time. And it’s always wise to know something about available medical facilities and services when traveling to foreign countries
Drink plenty of water, but the right kind. Whether it’s on an airplane or in a car, whether you are enjoying hot weather or vigorous exercise, keep your body full of fluids, especially fresh, clean water. When traveling internationally to some parts of the world, it might be wise to stick to bottled water, just to be safe- Be careful with food. New culinary traditions, ingredients and cooking methods can take some getting used to, even when there is absolutely nothing wrong or ill-prepared about the meal. If you are traveling to exotic destinations, get advice about what and where is safe to eat. And it’s always a good idea to have an over-the-counter remedy on hand just in case
- Protect your skin. Pausing occasionally to apply sunblock is an easy way to avoid a sunburn – and possible more serious problems years from now – that could ruin a day or two of vacation
- Ask for PURE room at hotels. PURE Solutions offer hotel rooms that are allergy-friendly through taking precautions like: continuously circulated and filtered air, hypoallergenic bedding and pillows that are mold-, spore-, dust- and dust mite-proof, and surface cleaning that eliminates the growth of bacteria. A PURE room reduces particulates that can trigger allergies by 98 percent. Wyndham Hotels is the latest hospitality company to sign on, with a promise to offer PURE rooms in all their properties by the end of 2009. For more on PURE rooms or to find a hotel that offers PURE rooms, please visit: www.pureroom.com .
Have fun and enjoy your vacation!