Allergy symptoms are most easily managed at home but that doesn’t have to stop you from embarking on a vacation adventure. Proper planning can help you explore the world while minimizing allergy symptoms.

One of the best times to take your vacation may be when your allergies flare up the worst at home. The past two years I’ve scheduled a trip to the Seattle area in July when weeds and grasses make me miserable where I live. My timing isn’t always perfect but I usually manage to return when the pollen counts are lower.

The trick is to make sure the area you are visiting is more pollen-free. The Weather Channel is a good resource for pollen count and air quality forecasts. Ask your doctor to provide you with the name and phone number of an allergist in the area you will be visiting. You will probably never need the contact but it will give you peace of mind, especially if you have severe allergies.

Reaching your destination may mean traveling by car. An air-conditioned car can make your travel more enjoyable and lessen your exposure to pollen and other irritants. I used to dread traveling by car in the summer prior to owning an air-conditioned vehicle. With wide-open windows, I knew I would be breathing in lots of allergens. If possible, travel by car in the early morning or later evening to avoid heavy traffic and poorer air quality. Regardless of your mode of travel, pack along an “allergy bag” with a supply of your allergy medications, including portable injectable epinephrine.

For airline travel, your biggest worry is more likely to be food allergies as opposed to environmental allergies. Be cautious when eating airline food or pack your own allergen-free snacks. Notify airline staff if you have food allergies that produce severe reactions. Make sure your allergy medications are properly labeled to lessen security check problems. Carry along some saline nasal spray as the air in planes tends to be on the dry side.

Request a smoke and allergy-free room when booking a hotel reservation. For long-distance travel by car, try to estimate where you will be each night to obtain suitable accommodations. You don’t want to be stuck in situation where the only motel vacancies are rundown or smoking rooms. Bicycle touring, which my husband and I do, can leave you especially vulnerable to this unless you can estimate your nightly destination.

Once you’re reached your vacation spot, stick to your normal routine as much as possible, take your allergy medication regularly, and you’ll have a great time.