On Summer Vacation, but Still Exercise Caution with Asthma!

June 21, 2021 – The summer solstice occurred last night at 11:32am EDT, so yesterday was the longest day, having the longest period of sunlight hours.  However, we are already well into the summer season and millions of Americans, especially given the constraints on travel during COVID restrictions, are on the move to vacation destinations, weekend sports tournaments, amusement parks, our national parks, and just generally spending much more time enjoying the outdoors. 

A 2018 report from the Journal of Travel Medicine indicated that ‘ambient air quality may affect both the acute and chronic state of health of travelers.   Pollution may be worse near your vacation destination or perhaps trees or grasses that are present in that location are different than those at home and a pollen allergy surfaces one you experience a new exposure. 

If you have allergies and/or asthma, before you travel, download DailyBreath (iOS or Android), put in the zip code for your destination, and note the weather conditions, the pollution, and the pollen count and predominant pollen type for your destination.  We also crowdsource allergy and asthma symptoms, so check DailyBreath at your destination, to see where patients like you experienced symptoms.  

As you travel, many of you will be staying in hotel rooms and your indoor air quality may impact your allergies, respiratory conditions, and your sleep.  Consider searching for a Pure Room by Pure Wellness which ensures purified air, a hypoallergenic environment, and allergy-friendly bedding for more than a half dozen major hotel brands. Consider bringing along a portable air purifier that you can run while you are away from the room and at night to clean the air. 

It's very easy while on vacation to ignore early symptoms of breathing difficulty, but it’s even more critical that you recognize these symptoms quickly.  The sooner you recognize them, the quicker you will seek near-term treatment.  While on vacation, multiple or sequential exposures may have a cumulative effect that taxes your breathing and creates a rapid onset of an asthma exacerbation that requires immediate attention.  It’s important that you remember to take your controller medication every day, no vacation from that, and don’t’ forget your relief inhaler when travelling.

We all want to have care-free vacations, but an ounce of prevention that includes being weather informed, location aware, and health prepared, can help you avoid potentially preventable asthma attacks while venturing to unfamiliar destinations.  Have a great summer!