The joy of getting away is to see new sites and enjoy new experiences. The drawback is those experiences might involve exposure to asthma triggers that were not anticipated in some of the most unexpected places.

Family and Friends

While it's great to see familiar faces, sometimes when families or friends host, there might be triggers present — say secondhand smoke or indoor pets — that could cause trouble for your child's asthma symptoms. If it is not possible to work around them, consider staying at a nearby hotel (and explain the problem to them).

Scenic Spots

With flowers in bloom, this might be a great time to visit a favorite location — but not such a great idea if your child has asthma and pollen is one of his triggers. Check with several Internet sites such as www.aaaai.org/nab or www.pollen.com to see what the mold and pollen levels are before you go. If levels are too high, you might want to go another time.

Also, be aware of areas when pollen levels are high much of the year — much of it from grasses. For instance, Hawaii has grass pollination year round, while many of the Southern states typically have the longest pollination period — around ten to eleven months throughout the year. Ask your health care provider about the appropriate use of antihistamine medications for allergies, in addition to your regular asthma medications.

Cruises

Sailing into a tropical port of call can be exciting. However, meeting up with dust mites, pollen, and mold there may not be. These allergens also could be heavier on river cruises as well. On extended cruises, find out about the availability of medical care. Let medical personnel on the ship know if your child will need any assistance with her asthma during the trip.

Beaches

If you want to stay away from pollens, consider a trip to a beach where the winds blow in from the water. But, be careful of other triggers such as the “red tide toxins” — blooms of an ocean algae concentrated along the coast that produce highly potent aerosolized toxins that affect individuals with asthma. Since these blooms are localized, find another beach without them. Also, if your child has eczema, an allergic skin condition found among many individuals with asthma, be cautious of sun exposure because it can make it worse.