Traveling during the holidays can be tricky, especially when you have severe asthma. You want to fully immerse yourself in your holiday plans with your family and friends but can’t help but worry about the asthma triggers you may encounter along the way. For Ziba Lennox, a New York- and Chicago-based fashion blogger and entrepreneur, finding the balance between her love of travel and keeping her asthma under control has become second nature. Wherever she may be jetting off to this holiday season, Lennox is learning how to stay calm and collected while navigating the challenges of traveling with a chronic condition during the holidays.
Ahead, she shares her top travel tips and how she enjoys quality time with her loved ones.
1. Understand Your Level of Asthma Control Before You Start Packing
Like Lennox, many of us feel a surge of excitement and pre-vacation jitters before we take off for our holiday adventures. Those living with asthma know this feeling too well as you start to worry about whether your asthma will remain under control during your trip. In fact, many people living with asthma, especially those with severe asthma, don’t realize their asthma is uncontrolled. When putting together your pre-vacation checklist, add a reminder to check-in with your specialist, like an allergist or pulmonologist, about your asthma symptoms.
Lennox learned a simple set of questions from her doctor that helped her reconsider her level of asthma control during this time of year:
- Are you experiencing symptoms or using your rescue inhaler more than 2x a week?¹
- Are your symptoms waking you up at night more than 2x a month?¹
- Are you refilling your rescue inhaler more than 2x a year?¹
By asking yourself these questions, and speaking with your specialist about your asthma symptoms, you may be able to more effectively manage your flare-ups and triggers during your holiday travel and celebrations.
2. Consult Your Doctor Well Before Traveling For The Holidays
One of Lennox’s key travel tips is to always check in with your doctor a few weeks before you take off. That way, you can travel confidently, knowing your medication may be able to help keep your asthma under control so you can enjoy your time with loved ones.
“Your doctor can help you manage your severe asthma and avoid flare-ups.” She recommends asking your doctor two critical questions: “Is my asthma under control?” and “How can I best prepare myself to avoid an asthma attack now and while on my trip?” By being proactive and working with your doctor, you can help make sure you’re ready for your trip.
“Getting control of your asthma is possible. Being prepared is key, and having a plan makes traveling with asthma easier,” she says. Confidence in managing asthma on the go can help bring you peace of mind.
3. Plan For Your Environment Carefully
Air quality and environmental conditions can make or break a trip when you have asthma.² Lennox still remembers when she jetted off to Paris for a trip but had a difficult time enjoying her European vacation after her symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, started to worsen due to poor air quality. “It was awful. I was in the dreamiest city doing what I love but couldn’t enjoy it,” she reflects. Since then, she checks air quality reports before her trips to avoid surprises.
Accommodations also play a crucial role in avoiding indoor allergen triggers and managing your asthma symptoms. “Choose a non-smoking hotel or one with at least entire non-smoking floors,” Lennox advises. She suggests contacting the hotel to request an allergy-friendly room, which is offered by various hotel chains where a strict cleaning procedure is implemented to ensure harmful airborne allergens have been removed such as mold and dust mites.
She also suggests checking in with your doctor before your trip to ensure you’re prepared for potential triggers. These small changes, along with a plan from your doctor, can have a big impact on how well you feel during your trip.
4. Be Prepared for Flights And Pack Smart
Flying can trigger asthma symptoms due to cabin allergens like dander and mold or the presence of air-borne illnesses, such as the cold or flu.³ “Flights can be tricky,” says Lennox. “Bring a mask, do a nasal spray rinse before (and during) flying, and always carry a water bottle since in-flight portions can be small.” To avoid catching a virus from your fellow passenger who is coughing away, Lennox says how disinfecting wipes can also come in handy to make sure all surfaces are clean in your seated area. Keep your asthma medications within arm’s reach in your carry-on, not in checked luggage. If you’re going away for a few weeks at a time, make sure your medication can last you the full duration of the trip to avoid the hassle of having to send your refill prescription to a completely new pharmacy.
Packing for trips can feel overwhelming, especially with asthma. Prepping these essentials helps you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying as much about flare-ups.
Finally, an important piece of advice Lennox has for traveling with severe asthma is to feel confident in your treatments. Once she teamed up with her doctor and got her asthma under control, she saw a huge difference.
Traveling with severe asthma doesn’t have to be limiting. “I travel often, even with severe asthma. With a little effort and preparation, you can too,” she adds. Before you travel for the holidays this year, be sure to schedule an appointment with your specialist to figure out the best asthma management plan for you.
For more tips, visit KnowAsthmaPeaks.com.
US-95531 Last Updated 11/24
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