Summertime means family trips and camping! Camping is a great way to explore the outdoors and experience new places. Allergy and asthma sufferers can follow our camping tips for a safe and healthy trip. We hope you find these helpful.
Do you have any camping tips for allergy and asthma sufferers? Feel free to comment on this post or post on our Facebook page!
Check the Pollen Count
Knowing what the pollen count will be will help you prepare for your trip. There are a few resources you can use to check the pollen of count of where you’ll be camping! We have our own pollen resource you can find on our homepage. Just scroll down to find the tool. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology also has a pollen and spore level count which you can find here.
Pack Your Medicine
Don’t forget your allergy and asthma medicine! Pack a first-aid kit with the essentials along with extra allergy medicine. If you have serious allergies and asthma, make sure you inform your fellow campers about them and share what they can do to help. Don’t forget to pack extra tissues and eye drops in case you need them. If you’re allergic to bee stings, always make sure you bring your EpiPen® or autoinjector wherever you go. When going on a hike, it should be the first thing you pack.
Clean Your Tent
Before your trip, deep clean your tent. If you haven’t used your tent since last summer, it could have spores and mold hiding in it. Sweep and air it out. You can wash your tent in a bucket of hot water with a small amount of bleach.
Bring Coconut Oil
Bring a small container of coconut oil. Unfortunately, if your allergies kick up, your lips and the skin around your nose may become dry. If this happens, apply some coconut oil to your dry skin and feel relief. Coconut oil is safe and natural to bring along camping.
Kids with Allergies
If you’re camping with a child who suffers from allergies and asthma, there are a few things you can do to help them have a fun trip! Along with bringing their medicine and prepping the other campers, bring along baby wipes to keep their hands clean. Depending on how old your child is, they may need to ask your permission first or, if they’re old enough, show them where their medicine is kept.
Know the Area
If you have severe allergies or asthma and are concerned about an anaphylaxis or severe asthma attack, research where the closest emergency room or clinic is in case you need it.
Be Careful Around Campfires
It’s not camping without a campfire complete with s’mores! Unfortunately, the smoke from a campfire can irritate asthma sufferers. Try to avoid being in the line of smoke and if you do experience a gust of smoke, try to change out of your smoke clothes.
Always Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re worried about an upcoming camping trip or hike, please talk with your allergist about ways to treat your allergy symptoms. Get out there and enjoy nature!