How to Avoid Hotel Room Allergies
When you’re on a vacation, a packed-to-the-brim schedule full of sightseeing, good food, and fun activities can mean that you’re ready to hit the hay the moment you unlock your hotel room door. You’ve just laid down under mountains of luxurious duvet covers and thick, Egyptian cotton sheets, your head cozy on a perfectly fluffy oversized pillow—and suddenly, an allergy attack hits. Itchy, watery eyes and constant sneezing can make it hard to get a good night’s rest—something you surely need to enjoy your getaway from the hectic stresses of everyday life.
What’s the cause behind your sudden incessant sniffling? Indoor allergens. We’ve come up with a few tips to help you avoid hotel room allergies while you’re traveling.
How can you avoid indoor allergies in a Hotel Room?
1. Ditch the humidifier.
A humidifier is great for dry sinuses, but it can also create the perfect environment for mold and dust mites to thrive—two of the top causes for indoor allergies. If you really can’t do without the humidifier, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology advises you to clean and change the filter often, and to use distilled or demineralized water to avoid irritation to your sinuses.
2. Invest in anti-allergy bedding.
Dust mites have a tendency to hang out in your comforter, sheets, and pillows. While you’re packing up your swimsuit and goggles in preparation for your vacation, consider adding a dust-mite cover to your suitcase. A good quality cover can help stop dust mites and mold spores in their tracks—allowing you to catch the necessary z’s to enjoy your trip. Good Housekeeping has some great tips to help you find an allergy barrier bedding set that will meet your needs. Some hotels may have hypoallergenic bedding upon request, so be sure to call ahead of time to see what options your hotel offers.
If bringing a hypoallergenic comforter or sheet set with you sounds unrealistic, a hypoallergenic pillow and blanket are easy to pack.
3. Pay more for the amenities.
Mold is a key player in indoor allergy attacks, so while you’re planning all of the sights you want to see, you might want to dig deep to find a hotel that is rated for its cleanliness. The best way to do so is by reading through the reviews. USA Today has some other ideas to help you determine the standard of cleanliness in the hotel you’re interested in. Mold can hang out in bathrooms, carpets, air vents, and even the walls, so finding a spotless and sanitized hotel should be a top priority.
Also, many popular hotel chains, such as Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham, have an international presence and make efforts to accommodate guests who have allergies. For example, the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport hotel offers rooms that have special wood flooring, air purifying systems, and hypoallergenic linens.
4. Change clothes immediately after being outside.
If you’ve spent most of the day outside, it’s good practice to change clothes immediately upon entering the hotel room. Outdoor allergens like dust mites or pollen can linger on your clothes, and when you sit down on the bed or arm chair to watch a little TV before dozing off, you could be transferring those allergens onto the surfaces you come into contact with. Bringing extra clothing might seem like a hassle if you’re trying to meet certain luggage weight restrictions, but it’s well worth it if it means avoiding an onset of sneezing and watery eyes.
To prevent pollen from being carried indoors, make sure to not sleep in the same clothes you wear outside or leave your outdoor clothes on your bed. Home remedies for dry noses don’t work when you’re nowhere near home! Put the contaminated clothing in a separate bag and keep it away from the furniture and the rest of your luggage. If you’d rather not bring extra clothing, check to see if your hotel has a washer and dryer, and run your contaminated items through a laundry cycle each night to avoid spreading allergens around the room.
5. Bring your own hypoallergenic travel kit.
Another great idea is to travel with a hypoallergenic travel kit with some necessary items to control your allergies.
- Hypoallergenic pillows and blankets repel dust mites so use these items instead of the pillows and blankets that your hotel provides. An added bonus: you can use your hypoallergenic pillow and blanket on your flight too!
- Consider adding travel-size hypoallergenic towelettes. Unlike hand sanitizers, these towelettes are made from all-natural ingredients and can be used to cleanse your face while you’re out and about.
- Allergy-friendly sunscreen is a must have for a lot of globetrotters. While there are several brands that you can choose from, our favorite is Raw Elements’ Hypoallergenic Eco Stick. It’s hypoallergenic, waterproof, and won’t harm any of that marine life we love so much.
Indoor allergies can really put a damper on your vacation, but utilizing these tips can help you avoid an allergy attack and sleep well so you’re ready to take on the world. Happy travels!
