You’ve planned and saved for your vacation for months, so the last thing you want is to be sidelined from all the fun by an unexpected allergy attack. But here’s the good news: “If you plan ahead and take precautions to prevent an allergic reaction, you can stay healthy and symptom free throughout your vacation,” says Clifford Bassett, MD, an allergist at the Allergy and Asthma Care Center of New York, in New York City.

Traveling With Allergies in Spring
Be extra cautious when traveling from a cold destination to a warm one where plants and trees are in full bloom: Sudden exposure to a burst of pollen can make allergy symptoms flare, says Steven Cole, DO, an allergist at Park Lane Allergy and Asthma Center in Dallas.

• Allergy symptoms are easier to combat before they start, so take medication before your trip. “Begin using a prescription nasal spray a week before your trip, if your doctor has prescribed one” suggests Dr. Cole. “The morning of your trip, take an over-the-counter antihistamine.” Ideally, the antihistamine should be one you have taken in the past without encountering side effects like drowsiness. Continue both treatments throughout your vacation.
• If you’ve spent a day outdoors on a golf course or in another area high in pollen, take a shower and change your clothes immediately upon returning to your room. “Hair and clothing are magnets for pollen,” says Bassett. He also recommends rinsing your eyes with water and baby shampoo to wash out pollen.
• While the beach isn’t typically home to many types of pollen, you do need to be mindful of mold, says Neeti Gupta, MD, an allergist at the Mercer Allergy & Asthma Center in Princeton, N.J. “Any area near a beach that tends to retain moisture could promote mold growth,” he says. Again, the key is to pre-treat with a nasal spray or oral antihistamine.

 Traveling With Allergies in Summer
Whether you’re taking a road trip to visit family or vacationing overseas, there are ways to prepare for a summer trip that’s free of allergy symptoms.

• Vacuum your car with a HEPA filter vacuum before a road trip to remove dust and pollen, suggests Cole. “When driving, keep the windows closed and the air conditioning on to prevent pollen from entering your car.”
• Be mindful when visiting friends or family who have dogs or cats if you have a pet allergy, says Dr. Gupta. Depending on how serious your allergy is, you should pre-treat with medication and/or consider staying in a hotel.
• When traveling to a foreign country, pack extra medication, both prescription and over-the-counter, suggests Cole. “Formulations vary from country to country, so it’s better to be prepared.”

Traveling With Allergies in Fall
Fall is primetime for weed allergies, so be cautious when taking a fall-foliage tour.

• Weeds are similar to tree pollens in that they’re sticky, says Cole. Wash your hair and change your clothes once you’re back indoors to help reduce your exposure.
• Cole recommends using a saline nose spray or neti pot at the end of the day to help rinse weed particles and other allergens from nasal linings. These techniques also improve the effectiveness of nasal allergy sprays.
• Not sure what allergens you may encounter? Before your trip log on to the Web site of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, suggests Bassett, for a current listing, by city, of pollen and mold counts.

Traveling With Allergies in Winter
Winter is generally a time when very little is growing in Northern climates, so you’re unlikely to encounter outdoor allergens on your ski or snowboard trip. Indoor allergies, however, are still a concern.

• Always request a non-smoking, pet-free room, to avoid exposure to these common allergy triggers, suggests Dr. Bassett. “Even better, many hotels now have ‘green rooms,’ that are decorated in a way to reduce dust — a common allergen — with hardwood floors and vinyl blinds.”
• Travel with one or more pillow protectors, advises Bassett. “An allergy encasement pillow cover zips around the hotel’s pillow to trap dust mites in.”
• Be careful around a fireplace, says Cole. “It won’t cause allergies per se,” he says, “but the smoke can act as an irritant if you’ve already had a flare-up of indoor allergies.”
• While there may be fewer allergens outdoors in winter, cold air can trigger an asthma attack, according to Cole. “If you have asthma, make sure to bring your medication,” he says, “and breathe through a scarf or face mask to ease your exposure.”

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