Vacation and Travel, Kids with Food Allergies and Asthma - It Can Be Done

ARLINGTON, Va., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel season is fast approaching, and for parents of children with food allergies and asthma, a family vacation can become a huge challenge.

Brigette Polmar calls herself "Allergy Mom." She and her husband have two children, and one has serious allergies. Her son is allergic to five different things with varying degrees of severity. Some are food allergies and some are environmental, such as dust mites, dogs, and cats.

Brigette and her family do travel and she says, "As an allergy mom, I never fully relax on vacation."

Dr. Jiun Yoon, a board-certified Allergist and Immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Care Centers in Virginia and Maryland, says, "A family vacation can be dangerous. If you have an asthma attack, it could be life threatening. If a child has a peanut allergy and ingests certain nuts, they can go into anaphylactic shock."

Anaphylaxis is a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction.

Dr. Yoon also noted that the primary issue concerning children with asthma or allergies is that they are outside their normal environment and away from their medical professionals. This makes having an action plan, and a child's medications on-hand, imperative when traveling.

"Forgetting medications is the biggest and most common reason for someone ending up in the hospital," Dr. Yoon stated. "Keep your medication with you," he added.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology provides this easy tip: "Do not put medications in checked luggage."

Tips for Traveling with Children Who Have Allergies or Asthma Include:

• Plan early and completely
• Visit your child's allergist before your trip
• Create an emergency medical plan with your allergist
• Bring all medications, and keep them with you (in your carry-on luggage or as close to you as possible)
• Know the symptoms of an allergic reaction or asthma attack
• Know the location of emergency medical care

Dr. Yoon, who completed his fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, warns parents to take additional precautions when traveling abroad.

According to Dr. Yoon, foreign countries may pose greater risks because of different allergy and asthma triggers, such as pollens, sand in the air, cold or humid air, and air pollution.

The bottom line for travel with allergies and asthma: Visit your child's allergist before you go, have a plan, and keep all medications with you when traveling.

As Brigette Polmar, the self-proclaimed "Allergy Mom" puts it, "be prepared for anything."

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2012-DrJiunYoon.jpg 
Caption: Dr. Jiun Yoon Allergy & Asthma Care Centers of Virginia and Maryland

About Allergy & Asthma Care Centers:

Allergy & Asthma Care Centers provides comprehensive allergy and asthma care to patients in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Our Board Certified Allergists are members of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Visit: http://www.myallergycare.com/.

Media Contact:
Doug Lynch
480 331 6397
[email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Allergy & Asthma Care Centers