Travel and Asthma

Written by Dr Fred Mokgoadi
Endorsed by ALLSA and the SACAWG.

Planning ahead is the key to enjoying your travelling, be it on a business or holiday trip. Asthmatics can enjoy their travelling if they include asthma in their travel plans.

Some general steps you can take

Medical pack:

Take enough medicines to last you longer than you think you will need (rather too much than too little)
It might even be wise to get extra prescriptions from your doctor. A translation might be necessary if you are going abroad

Talk to you doctor

Ask your doctor for a written treatment plan and an emergency plan
This plan could include reliever medicines and steroid tablets, with instructions on how to use them in an emergency.

Where to find medical help

Find out about the nearest medical help that can be found
Ask your travel agent or hotel staff about:
- the nearest hospital casualty department
- telephone number of an ambulance or doctor

Mode of travel

Think about your mode of transport, e.g. bus or air travel
Make it clear when you book that you must sit far away from the smoking section. If possible, on longer flights choose an airline that has banned smoking.
Keep your medicines in your hand luggage on aeroplanes. This will help in case your other luggage is lost or stolen. You may also need to take your reliever medicine while travelling

Where and when to travel

There is not “best place” to go for all people with asthma, simply because asthma varies so much from person to person.
The most useful thing you can do is to avoid things that trigger your asthma. Regular preventer treatment might help you avoid problems.

Trigger factors

Pollens

In South Africa the pollen season ,particularly the grass pollen season is about 10 months of the year, so it is not possible to plan your holiday to avoid pollens as people call do in Northern Europe

Moulds

Moulds thrive in damp humid areas and near rivers. If you are sensitive to moulds and are travelling to such an area, take extra precautions

House-dust Mites

House dust mites thrive in warm, humid climates like the eastern lowveld of South Africa and of course the east coast. Mite sensitive people may well become more symptomatic if you are travelling or holidaying in these regions. Make sure that the place where you will be staying is thoroughly cleaned before you arrive and ask about synthetic pillows and duvets

Animals

Check that your hotel does not allow pets, as their dander can stay in the air for several weeks

Air pollution (including cigarette smoke)

These can be difficult to avoid in certain cities and public places, but you can request a non-smoking room in some hotels

Climate/Weather

The climate can worsen asthma control because:

Sudden weather changes (e.g. cold air) can trigger attacks.
Many people sensitive to fungal spores will be at their worst during humid spells

Exercise

Vigorous holidays like mountaineering and short bursts of activity need a good pre-exercise asthma programme .

Types of holidays

Camping and Caravaning:

Watch out for camp fire, smoke, cold air and misty mornings.
Exposure to pollens might be a problem

5 key points to remember

Plan ahead and include asthma in your travel plans
Talk to your doctor about your travelling so that he can review your treatment and can give you a written emergency plan
Take enough medicines to last you longer than your planned time away from home – rather too much than too little medicines
Always keep your medicines with you so that they don’t get lost with your luggage
Avoid factors that can trigger your asthma

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This information sheet is obtainable from:

ALLSA
P.O. Box 88
Observatory, 7935
Cape Town, R.S.A.

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