Don't let spring allergies ruin your vacation: try these 5 tips before leaving home

Getting your allergies under control at home can be challenging. But traveling to a different area can throw a wrench in your allergy control plan.

Given that many allergy medications are most effective when taken over time, it's important to continue to do what works for you on the road while planning for some potential new obstacles ahead, allergist Dr. Tania Elliott tells Yahoo Life. Keep these factors in mind before you hit the road to ensure that you'll be able to focus on your travels — not your allergy symptoms.

1. Make sure you have all of your go-to medications.

It's easy to assume you'll be able to pick up over-the-counter medications once you arrive at your destination, but it's better not to risk that you may be unable to find what you need on your trip. "Make sure that you bring an allergy pack with you that contains all of your over-the-counter medications," Elliott says. If you're traveling to an area that has ample pollen, ragweed or other common allergens and they're triggers for you, Elliott recommends taking your fast-acting medicine about 30 minutes before you get on the plane to ensure you'll be protected by the time you arrive.

2. Bring your own bedding.

If you have sensitive skin and suffer from skin allergies, Elliott recommends taking your own pillowcase and sheets in your suitcase. People can react to detergents that sheets are washed in, and taking this extra step to use your own bedding will bypass this risk, she points out. If you have an allergy to feathers, you can also bring your own pillow or ask the hotel where you're staying for a hypoallergenic or feather-free pillow, she says. (Just know that the venue may not be able to give you one.)

3. Consider the humidity.

Dust mites and mold thrive in areas with high humidity, and traveling to a warm, wet climate could raise your risk of exposure to these triggers if they're a problem for you. If you know you want to head to a spot that tends to have high humidity, it's worth contacting your hotel in advance to see if management can put a dehumidifier in your room. If not, there are travel-size dehumidifiers you can purchase at Amazon to toss in your suitcase — if you have the room.

4. Check the conditions in advance.

Managing allergies is all about planning, so consider downloading a pollen counter app on your phone or checking the Weather Channel's app to see what the pollen count is in the area that you're traveling to. The goal is to "have a general sense of what they are on a given day and [to] prepare ahead of time," Elliott says.

5. Keep your allergies in mind when picking a destination.

You should ultimately travel to the destination that feels right for you but, if you're trying to pick a spot, consider a few factors when deciding on the right location. Dust mites and mold are less likely to thrive in high-altitude locations, Elliott says. "So if you suffer from dust mite or mold allergy, you may want to choose an adventurous mountainous vacation that's at a high altitude." If asthma is an issue for you, consider a beachside vacation. "Studies have shown that the salt air can help to reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and your lungs," Elliott says.

It's possible to keep your allergies under control while you travel — it just takes a little planning first.