Can Adults Develop New Allergies?

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Summer is an ideal time for a road trip and millions of Americans will hit the interstates and local highways over the next few months. You can make your own schedule, customize driving routes and curate the perfect playlist.

But if you have allergies, you could end up miserable while your friends or family members crank the tunes, snap photos and have all the laughs.

So don’t let your allergies take the wheel. Here are our tips for kicking allergens by the side of the road on your next road trip.

Use air conditioning in the car

Though rolling down the windows or taking the top down if you have a convertible seems like a road trip essential, doing so can cause an allergy flare-up. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should use air conditioning instead. That’s because if windows are open, pollen can blow in.

Be prepared for couch crashing

Crashing on someone's couch comes with the territory on road trips, especially with friends. But if you have allergies, take some precautions before counting sheep. Wipe down the surface of the couch with a wet wipe to lessen any surface dust, and if there are throw pillows, consider tossing them aside because dust can build on them too. If you can, bring your own blanket instead of using one that could potentially be sitting in storage and gathering dust.

Eat indoors

Though eating outdoors, whether at a rest stop or tailgate-style, is another road trip tradition, you’re better off dining indoors. That way, you’re not exposing yourself to pollen that’s in the air. This is especially true for breakfast, because in the morning, pollen counts are rising.

Go somewhere allergy-friendly

Choosing where to go can make a huge difference for your allergies. While a densely forested area like upstate New York can be tough for allergy sufferers, a beach, where the salt water breeze clears the air and there are no trees nearby, can do wonders. The same can be said of the southwest, where there are fewer pollinating plants.

Wash your wares

Much like that couch blanket, make sure that your road trip gear is washed or cleaned off. That includes clothes, sleeping bags and even your bags themselves. Anything that’s been sitting in storage -- especially sleeping bags which could be in the attic -- may have built up dust since last use. If you’re going to be trapped in the car with all your gear in the back, make sure that gear isn’t dusty.

For up-to-date allergen levels for your area, check our allergy tracker.