Travelling by car, bus or train
When travelling by car, bus or train, potential allergies or irritants can include dust mites, indoor moulds and pollen. Mites and moulds can lurk in the carpeting, upholstery and ventilation systems of vehicles. If you are undertaking a lengthy auto trip, better turn the air-conditioner on and keep the doors open for at least 10 minutes before you enter the car. This should help in removing dust mites and moulds.

Air pollution can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. To avoid excess air pollution when travelling by automobile, travel in the early morning when air quality is better and you can avoid heavy traffic.

Travelling by aeroplane
Air quality on planes can greatly affect an allergic or asthmatic person. Airliner cabin air is a unique environment, different from what people usually breathe on the street, at home, or in office.

Cabin air is about 50 per cent re-circulated and about 50 per cent "fresh", meaning drawn through the jet-engine air intakes, compressed and diverted to the cabin. In addition, fresh and re-circulated air are routed through filters that can trap various particles. The air flows into the cabin from ducts in the ceiling and is sucked out through vents along the floor in the cabin wall.

As a result, window seats on airplanes have better ventilation flow than aisle seats. They're a good place to sit if you suffer from allergies or asthma.

The main controversy over cabin air surrounds the decision by airlines to save money on fuel by reducing the amount of fresh air available. Drawing in and distributing fresh air requires compressors, and compressors need power.

That means more jet fuel per flight. The compromise arrangement often results in airliner cabins having a high level of pollutants.

Other allergy sources
Hotel rooms often contain large concentrations of dust mites and moulds in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture. While making hotel reservations, ask if there are allergy proof rooms available. If you are sensitive to moulds, request a sunny, dry room away from areas near indoor pools or basements.

If you have food allergies, be cautious when eating outside. It calls for particular care when eating airline food. And better carry your portable epinephrine in case you have a severe reaction while in flight.

Almost any food can cause an allergic reaction. But milk, eggs, wheat, chocolates, nuts and fish are known to cause the most trouble. It may sound funny, but the symptoms are no joke to the person experiencing the allergy.

Why are a few people sensitive to some foods, while the rest of us can consume them with pleasure? Physicians are not certain about the process of allergy, but they explain that some people possess an overabundance of the antibody immunoglobin E. An allergy is essentially an overreaction of the antibodies in repelling a foreign invasion of the body. Allergists believe heredity is involved.

Persons suffering from sinusitis or ear infection can experience significant ear pain during a flight. Sipping liquids, swallowing often and chewing gum can help alleviate the discomfort.

Take care of little things and make your trip a memorable one.