Can I Get Hay Fever On Holiday?

Millions of people in the UK experience hay fever every year, with many finding that their symptoms are at their worst when the warmer weather hits. But can you get hay fever on holiday? Well, the reality is that yes, it’s a possibility.

Location Matters

Your holiday location is one of the things that will have the biggest impact on your likelihood of experiencing hay fever symptoms.

If you’re looking forward to a staycation, it’s important to remember that hay fever season starts and peaks at different times across the UK. For example, it tends to start later and last for less time in the north of the UK, where there is generally less pollen.

Unsurprisingly, coastal areas also have a lower pollen count than the countryside, and this means that if you’re camping in the Cotswolds you’re more likely to get hay fever symptoms than if you’re planning on a seaside break. Meanwhile, some studies suggest that the effects of hay fever can actually be worse in cities. This is because pollution that becomes trapped in your nose and throat, and on your skin, can act as a magnet for pollen.

Heading abroad? The same rules apply, with beach breaks less prone to causing hay fever flare ups than staying in environments with high pollen counts.

Thinking about where you’re going on holiday this summer can help you to decide how prepared for hay fever symptoms you really need to be.

Taking Hay Fever Medication On Holiday

If you think there’s even a slight chance of experiencing hay fever symptoms on holiday, it’s a good idea to pack your preferred hay fever medication to take with you. We recommend that you pack more than you think you’ll need, just to be sure you don’t run out while you are away.

Loratadine 10mg Tablets

Loratadine gets to work quickly to provide you with relief from your symptoms all day. You can buy Loratadine 10mg tablets online, from The Independent Pharmacy, without a prescription.

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If you’re staying in the UK, there’s no restrictions on what medications you take, or how you take them. But if you’re going abroad, you’ll have to plan your packing a little more carefully. This is because there’s still a 100ml bottle-size cap on liquids at most airports, meaning you won’t be able to take any single bottle of liquid medicine greater than this in your hand luggage, and will instead need to check them into a suitcase that gets placed into the hold.

We recommend that you keep any medications in their original packaging, and if you take anything on prescription, that you keep the label visible. Having some hay fever medication in your hand luggage is a good idea - just in case any checked baggage is delayed or lost in transit.

Opticrom 2% Eye Drops

Opticrom Eye Drops are aqueous drops that provide quick relief from allergy symptoms that affect the eyes. This includes puffy, itchy and watery eyes.

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Top Tips For Coping With Hay Fever On Holiday

While hay fever medications are great for helping to reduce your symptoms, there are also other steps that you can take to support you in keeping them under control.

Pack Sunglasses

Not only are they important for protecting your eyes from UV damage from the sun, sunglasses also provide a physical barrier that can reduce pollen from getting into your eyes and causing itching and irritation.

Consider Taking Extra Clothes

It’s not always practical, but if you’re going somewhere where there’s likely to be a high pollen count, taking extra clothes may enable you to change from what you wore outside to fresh clothes inside. This can reduce the amount of time that pollen is on or near your skin, and stop as much pollen from circulating indoors.

Wash Your Hair Before Bed

Again, if you’re holidaying in a high-pollen location, washing your hair (and body) before bed can help prevent pollen that may be clinging to you from transferring onto your bed and pillows, which could make symptoms worse while you sleep.

Keep Windows Closed

If you’re travelling by car, or staying in a property where pollen counts will be high, keeping windows closed can help prevent allergens from getting inside.

Stay Hydrated

If you’re spending any time in the sun, staying hydrated should be an automatic priority. However, if your summer holiday plans involve going on a plane, you’ll be at even greater risk of becoming dehydrated as planes are notorious for circulating dry air. Consider using a nasal spray to cleanse and soothe your nose, and drink plenty of water.

Always Remember...

If you would like more information about effective hay fever treatments, or if you have any further questions about travelling with hay fever medication, please get in touch with our team of UK licensed clinicians who will be happy to help.

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