Planning a holiday in South America is always exciting but travelling to a different continent requires holidaymakers to take certain steps and precautions to ensure they don’t negatively affect their experience or, more importantly, endanger their health.
This is especially the case with people who suffer from allergies.
Of course, there are many different types of allergies, from hay fever to intolerance to certain food items.
Therefore, the precautions you will need to take depends on your individual needs. However, we’ll cover some general advice here that is applicable to a wide range of allergies.
Holidays to South America are all about fun and adventure, and nothing should spoil that for you.
So, rather than seeing it as a hindrance, proper planning should be an important step to avoid your allergy issues impacting a safe and memorable journey.
Here are just a few easy things you can do to keep your allergies under control while you’re away.
1. Go to the doctor
We’ve put this one first because, as we have said, everyone is different and therefore, so are their allergy treatments.
The best way of tackling your individual allergy issues is to consult a doctor, explain where you are going and allow them to advise you on the precautions you will want to take. After all, there’s no better advice than from a medical professional.
2. Be cautious with your medication
Ensuring that you have adequate medical supplies is one of the most important steps anyone can take to avoid having allergy related issues. Your doctor will be able to help advise you on how much you will need to take.
It may also be a good idea to take a treatment plan with you, ensure that all your medication is in its original packaging, as well as checking your airline’s policy on medication, in order to avoid any problems at the airport
3. Check the weather
The weather can affect allergies in all kinds of different ways, so knowing what to expect on holiday can allow you to properly prepare for things like high pollen counts and humidity levels.
Of course, things can always change when it comes to weather predictions, but generally speaking, a little bit of research will provide you with adequate information the majority of the time.
4. Research the area
There are several reasons, beyond the weather, to research the area where you’re staying. For instance, if you have food allergies, it’s important to be able to find places to eat that won’t cause you any issues.
That’s just one example but the best way to avoid anything setting off an allergic reaction is to arrive fully prepared and knowledgeable about your destination. If you find anything that is of concern, then it’s worth bringing it up with your doctor before you fly.
5. Communicate
This has been partially covered in other points but it’s worth reiterating here. One of the most important things you can do to avoid your allergies threatening your enjoyment is to communicate with those around you.
This, of course, includes things like consulting with your doctor and checking up with the airline, but also includes the people you are travelling with. Should anything bad happen, they should know what actions they need to take to help you out.
Also, talk to your hotel and the restaurants you visit so you have all the information you need to avoid any potential exposure.
6. Bring plenty of snacks
There are two main reasons to bring snacks with you during your travels. One is to ensure that you have plenty to eat that won’t cause any kind of allergic reaction if you are intolerant to certain food items.
The other is that snacks are delicious, and you should bring them anyway. After all, you’re on holiday.
