As families prepare for the summer break, Ekurhuleni pharmacist Tafadzwa Makuro urges travellers to be ready for a seasonal spike in allergies, a problem she says catches many holidaymakers by surprise every December.

Makuro said the combination of high pollen levels, sudden changes in your environment and closed-up holiday homes creates the “perfect storm” for allergy flare-ups.

“Hay fever is the big one during the festive season, especially when people leave the city and head to coastal or greener areas.

“We also deal with a lot of dust mite reactions from houses that have been locked up all year, and quite a few skin rashes caused by new detergents, sunscreens or plants people aren’t used to.”

What to pack in your allergy kit
Makuro encouraged travellers to keep a small allergy kit in their bags, even if they’ve had no symptoms.
A basic kit should include:
• A non-sedating antihistamine (cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine);
• A saline nasal spray;
• A steroid nasal spray for persistent congestion;
• Antihistamine eye drops;
• A soothing cream like calamine or a mild corticosteroid;
• A rescue inhaler and spacer for anyone with asthma;
• Wet wipes or sanitiser to reduce contact irritants.

“People often only pack the medicine they think they’ll need. But allergies can start suddenly in a new environment, so it’s better to be prepared.”

Why do symptoms worsen when you travel?

Makuro said many holidaymakers don’t realise how much the environment influences their allergies.

“Coastal areas have higher humidity, which means more mould spores and dust mites. Inland regions typically have more dust and pollen in the air.

“Even moving from a polluted city to cleaner coastal air can temporarily irritate the sinuses. Your body reacts to what it’s not used to. That’s why symptoms often flare up in the first few days of a trip,” she said.

Makuro warned that many travellers unintentionally worsen their symptoms by misusing medication.

“A major problem is the overuse of decongestant nasal sprays. They should never be used for more than three days. After that, they actually cause worse congestion.

“Other common errors include taking drowsy antihistamines during the day and using steroid nasal sprays incorrectly. People often spray straight onto the septum, and that leads to nosebleeds. The spray must be aimed outward, towards the ear.”

Making holiday homes safer for allergy sufferers

To reduce flare-ups while travelling, Makuro recommended a few simple steps.

“Open windows and air out the house on arrival, wipe down surfaces, and wash bedding or bring your own pillowcase if dust mites are a concern;

“Keep windows closed at night during high-pollen periods and shake out towels, blankets and beach items to remove sand, dust or pet hair.

“Most importantly, keep your medication where you can quickly reach it. When you’re away from home, you don’t want to scramble during an allergy or asthma episode.”

She emphasised that a bit of preparation can save your whole holiday.