Asthma is something I’ve struggled with since I was five years old, but until last year I had never had an asthma attack. My first asthma attack occurred when I was in Chamonix, Mont Blanc, and being so far from home, halfway up a mountain, the experience was terrifying.
But in a weird sort of way, I’m so pleased that it happened, because I learnt so much from that trip, and from the awful experience of the asthma attack.
Before that, I had never really considered how my asthma might affect my ability to travel. Of course, I would always remember my medication when packing, but it never occurred to me to ask myself if my plans posed any sort of asthmatic risk.
Since that trip, I’ve been so much more careful when making travel plans, and I’ve made sure every trip has been thoroughly researched.
Below are 15 travel tips for asthmatics, to hopefully make travelling with asthma a whole lot less stressful. All of these tips are based on my own travel experiences, and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice.
(If like me, you suffer from both asthma and eczema, you can check out my list of tips for travelling with eczema here.)
1: Visit your GP before you go
As with most medical conditions, you should always visit your GP before going on a big trip.
Your GP can help you identify your triggers, warn you of any potential triggers at your destination, and help you put an asthma plan in place. This way you’ll be well prepared for your travels, and you’ll know exactly what to do if your asthma worsens.
Plus, your GP can make sure you have enough of all of your prescription medications to last your entire trip.
2: Have an asthma plan in place
Having an asthma plan in place means you’ll know what to do if you notice you’re struggling to breathe more than usual.
Your plan should involve different stages, according to peak flow readings, and different situations to help you get your asthma back under control.
3: Research your destination
Most triggers will be environmental, so do some research into your destination so that you know what to be wary of.
Extreme weather conditions, whether they be too hot or too cold, can cause bad asthma, so make sure you know how to keep warm/cool. If hot temperatures can cause your asthma to worsen, try to book accommodation with air conditioning. If cold temperatures are an issue, make sure you pack plenty of layers, keep your chest warm, and always wear a scarf.
Altitude, as well as weather conditions, can cause asthmatics to struggle, so if you’re heading to any mountainside locations, you’ll need to be wary of this.
Another thing to consider is air pollution. Some destinations have such bad air pollution that even those without asthma can experience difficulties breathing. So it could be worth steering clear of places that have notoriously bad air pollution.
4: Always book non-smoking rooms
Whilst in a lot of countries smoking inside is illegal anyway, there are some places that still offer smoking and non-smoking rooms.
Check before booking that your room is a non-smoking one, as the remaining smell of smoke can be a trigger.
5: Call ahead and forewarn your accommodation about your asthma
It can be worth calling your hotel/hostel/Airbnb before setting off, and just forewarning them about your asthma.
If things like dust or pet hair can be triggers for your asthma, let them know, and they’ll be able to make sure your room is thoroughly cleaned before your arrival and kept pet-free.
6: Try to book completely pet-free accommodation
Like many asthmatics, I’m super allergic to pet hairs, and several times I’ve booked accommodation that has previously had pets in and spent the entire trip puffy-faced and wheezy.
When you’re booking accommodation for your travels, especially if you’re booking an Airbnb, just check whether or not the listing says ‘pet-friendly’. If pet hairs cause your asthma to worsen, it’s best to avoid ‘pet-friendly’ accommodation if possible, just in case the place hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly.
7: Know where the nearest medical facilities are
When booking your accommodation, think about where the nearest medical facilities are. You never know when you might need medical help for your asthma.
When your asthma gets really bad, it can cause you to panic, and when you’re panicking you’re not thinking clearly.
So research where the nearest medical facilities in advance and you’ll know what to do if the worst happens, and if nothing else, you’ll have peace of mind.
8: Pack all of your asthma essentials
Whether you just have an inhaler, or you have nightly pills, antihistamines, or even steroids, bring everything asthma-related that your doctor has prescribed. It’s better to have these things and not need them than need them and not have them.
9: Carry all of your asthma medication in your carry-on luggage
Lost luggage may be a rare occurrence, but you never know when it might happen to you. So just in case, carry all of your asthma medication in your on-board luggage. This way, you’ll also have everything with you in case your asthma starts to worsen on the plane, which can often happen as a result of air conditioning.
10: Consider Natural Remedies For Your Asthma
As well as taking your medication, it can be a good idea to consider natural remedies for your asthma. There are lots of anti-inflammatory natural products that can reduce airway irritation.
I used to be fairly sceptical about natural remedies until I actually gave some of them a chance. I’ve managed to use deep breathing exercises to control my asthma and have often found steam baths can ease my wheezing.
But recently I’ve tried natural products too. Eucalyptus oil has helped me overcome many bouts of asthma and now I wouldn’t travel without it.
Certain herbs have also been shown to offer asthma relief. For example, ginger and garlic both have anti-inflammatory properties, and turmeric can behave like an antihistamine in the body.
While natural remedies should in no way be a replacement for your medication, they make good add-ons and if they can help you control your breathing, they’re worth considering. Natural remedies can be particularly useful when travelling as it can be easy to find natural products in stores around the world.
11: Carry an asthma attack card
Asthma affects millions, but still, people don’t always recognise an asthma attack. Carry an asthma attack card with you, so that if the worst happens, you can either show someone your card, or they can find it in your purse/wallet.
12: Take a copy of your prescriptions with your name on
In case you lose your asthma medications, take a copy of your prescription with you, with your name on. This way, you can always get more prescription items from a medical facility at your destination.
13: Make sure you have travel insurance
As an asthmatic, it’s much more likely that you’ll need medical assistance whilst travelling, and you don’t want to have a huge medical bill to pay after seeking help.
Make sure you’ve got travel insurance so that any medical expenses are covered.
14: Take your own pillows
If certain types of pillows, or dust, can cause you to need your inhaler, it can be worth taking your own pillows. You never know what types of pillow will be at your accommodation, or how old they are, and by taking your own pillows you’ll eliminate the risk of waking up throughout the night to do your inhaler.
15: Only book excursions that are suited to your fitness level
When travelling you probably want to make the most of your time, and fit in as many adventures as possible. But when booking excursions or days out, try not to push yourself too much physically.
Physical activity can be an asthma trigger, and if you’re out on an excursion that causes your asthma to worsen, you never know how easy it will be to find medical assistance.
So to sum up…
Travelling with asthma does require a bit more planning, and you have to be a bit more cautious, but really it’s just about being smart.
When possible, avoid any triggers, and have a plan in place so that you know what to do in case of an emergency. As long as you’re smart about planning your trips, there’s no reason why you can’t see the world and make the most of every destination.
And if you suffer from eczema as well as asthma (the two often go hand-in-hand) you can click here to find out more about travelling with eczema.
I live in the UK, in the country’s most uneventful city, where the most interesting story in the local paper is about banning dressing gowns in supermarkets.
I travel and I write, because surely there are more interesting stories than that to write about and share.