Asthma: safe holiday tips
Before going on holiday, the National Asthma Council urges people who have asthma to visit their GP to update their Asthma Action Plan.
An Asthma Action Plan is the written instructions provided to you by your doctor that explain:
- how to recognise when your asthma is getting worse; and
- what action to take in this situation.
By helping you to control your asthma, an Asthma Action Plan allows you to enjoy a holiday and helps you to avoid a stay in hospital.
A spokesperson for the National Asthma Council advises that having an Asthma Action Plan is a useful way of reducing your anxiety about what to do during an asthma attack and of giving you and your family the confidence to handle an asthma attack, should one occur.
If you don’t already have a written Asthma Action Plan, it’s a good idea to see your doctor about getting one before you head off on holiday.
Here are some points from the National Asthma Council's ‘Asthma Management Holiday Checklist’:
- Have your doctor check your asthma and update your Asthma Action Plan before you go away.
- Take enough medication to last the whole trip.
- Continue all your medications, especially preventer medication.
- If camping, be aware that cold air and wood fires may trigger asthma.
- If staying with friends, be aware of your asthma triggers, for example, cat allergens. Also, take note that dust mite numbers are often higher in coastal areas or humid environments.
Last Reviewed: 01 December 2003
