It’s here: hiking and camping season! Summer is an ideal time to explore the great outdoors with family and friends. But what if you have allergies or asthma? What can you do to make sure you’re ready for the fun?
If you have hay fever — especially to grass pollen — know that it’s in the air from early to mid-summer. Make sure you’re taking allergy medicine such as antihistamines and nasal steroids. These medicines work better as protection rather than waiting until symptoms start. You don’t want to be sneezing and have a stuffy nose while playing under the open sky.
[See: 8 Surprising Facts About Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.]
If you have asthma, it’s important not to miss your daily medicines. Always have your rescue inhaler with you. Along with outdoor pollen, beware of other potential triggers for coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath while camping and hiking. Steer clear of campfires. Everyone loves s’mores, but campfire smoke can irritate lungs and lead to asthma symptoms.
Another condition to be aware of is called thunderstorm asthma. It can happen when severe thunderstorms create winds that lift grass pollens and mold spores high in the air. Then the heavy rains break up the pollens and spores into smaller pieces that come down. Due to their smaller size, they are easily breathed in in high numbers, triggering asthma.
Don’t let a food allergy stop you from enjoying the outdoors. For camping and hiking, pack all your own food so you’re sure what you eat is safe. Of course, accidents can happen even when you’re careful, so don’t go anywhere without at least two epinephrine autoinjectors, and always wear your allergy alert bracelet. Make sure someone in your group knows you have a food allergy and can give you the epinephrine autoinjector if needed. If you have a food allergy, know how to get to the nearest emergency room or hospital.
[See: Is it Healthy to Sleep With Your Pets?]
For people with insect sting allergies, bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are scarier than bears, snakes and other animals in the woods. There are some simple rules to help lower your risk of being stung. Don’t wear bright clothing and/or use fragrances because both attract stinging creatures. Avoid areas around garbage cans, and take care drinking sugary beverages, since stinging insects love them and may fly into your cup or can. Don’t go barefoot or wear sandals, which expose your feet to bites and stings. If you’re allergic to insect stings, wear your allergy alert bracelet, carry your epinephrine autoinjectors and know where the nearest emergency room or hospital can be found.
No matter the outdoor threat, it’s vital to know where the nearest emergency room or hospital is in case you experience a major allergy or asthma flare-up and your rescue inhaler or emergency medicines don’t lead to rapid relief. Remember, asthma flare-ups and severe allergic reactions are medical emergencies.
[See: 7 Lifestyle Tips to Manage Your Asthma.]
All of the above conditions can be controlled, and in the case of grass and insect allergy, usually cured, by allergy shots or tablets, known as immunotherapy. For grass allergy, shots and tablets placed under the tongue can desensitize you to the pollen. For insect allergy, shots can help get rid of your sensitivity to insects. With the help of a board-certified allergist, who you can locate using the “Find an Allergist” tool at AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org, you will be ready to conquer the great outdoors.
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Don’t Let Allergies Ruin Your Camping Fun originally appeared on usnews.com
