Holiday Advice for Allergy Patients

Associate Professor from the Department of Allergy Diseases at Memorial Şişli Hospital. Dr. Ayşe Bilge Öztürk gave information about what allergy sufferers should pay attention to while on vacation.

Dr. Öztürk said, “Anyone with allergies should avoid allergens in daily life and always carry allergy medications with them. It would be beneficial for an allergy sufferer to consult his doctor before traveling. The person should make sure that their medication is sufficient during their trip and should use their medication for allergic complaints when necessary. Allergies can take various forms. Among the most common allergies are; pollen, animal dander, house dust mite, food allergies and bee allergies that are common in summer.

If you are allergic to pollen;

• If you have a pollen allergy, you should find out the pollen level of your destination. You can get information from “polleninfo.org” for European countries, “wao.org” for other countries, and “aid.org.tr” for our country. Traveling to a place where the pollen you are sensitive to is dense may increase your complaints.
• Do not go out if it is not necessary in the morning and at noon when pollen is high, in dry and windy weather.
• Use sunglasses when you go outside. In particular, mask-like glasses that surround the eye contribute to the reduction of your eye complaints due to pollen allergy.
• If you are traveling with your car, do not travel with the car windows open. You can use air conditioner with pollen filter in your car.

If you are allergic to animal hair;

• You may be exposed to allergens where pets are also welcome. Sensitive people should not forget to use their prescribed medication before visiting places with pets.

If you are allergic to house dust mites;

• You can evaluate the humidity level of the region you live in by using the “Turkey Annual Average Humidity Distribution” map published by the Data Control and Statistics Branch Directorate of Meteorological Data Processing Department. If the humidity of the area you live in is above 50%, it can be said that the mite density is high in that area in general. If you have a house dust mite allergy, you can take allergen-proof pillows, mattresses and duvet covers with you.
• Not having a carpet on the floor, especially in rooms where you spend a long time, will reduce your complaints. For this reason, if possible, choose rooms without carpets in your accommodation.

If you have a food allergy;

• If you have a food allergy, share it with the food service of your destination.
• If you have a history of anaphylaxis, carry an adrenaline auto-injector with you.
• If possible, talk to a competent person in restaurants who knows exactly the ingredients and how they are prepared, and who can enlighten you.
• Before ordering food, learn about the ingredients of the food and how it is prepared.
• In restaurants, ask for dishes with one or two ingredients whenever possible.
• Avoid buffets. In such places, foods can easily mix with each other.
• Minor contamination, insignificant for those working in food preparation ovens and kitchens, can be risky for patients. For example, both bread dough and milk-containing cake dough can be prepared in the same dough vat. This can lead to a reaction as a result of consuming bread in someone who is allergic to milk.
• Anaphylaxis can also occur with traces of allergens. Therefore, avoid foods with the phrase "May contain traces of…".
• Do not use drugs and nutritional supplements that do not have official import permits.

If you have a bee allergy;

• Keep windows closed when traveling by car.
• Make sure to wear long-sleeved and long-leg clothing when going out during the bee season.
• Remember that colored clothing, cosmetics, perfumes or hairsprays will attract bees.
• Remember that open food and garbage will attract wasps in particular, and try to avoid eating outdoors as much as possible.” provided warnings and suggestions.