One such health issue that can interfere with your carefully laid plans: severe eczema, an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, itchy skin; rashes; skin discoloration; and patches of skin that can ooze and crust over, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA).
The Challenge of Severe Eczema While Traveling
Traveling can present some issues that are especially tough for people with eczema. First, depending on where you’re going, there’s the potential for a drastic change in climate, which can aggravate your skin and trigger a flare. That doesn’t just apply if you’re going to a hot, humid climate but to a cold, dry one as well. “If you’re traveling somewhere cold, or somewhere like the desert where there’s not a lot of ambient humidity, your skin can dry out and feel different,” says Suzanne Friedler, MD, FAAD, a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology in New York City. In addition, if you’re used to a more temperate climate and go to a very hot and humid one, that can trigger eczema symptoms, including rashes, according to the NEA. If you have severe eczema, including atopic dermatitis, you may also be susceptible to environmental or food allergies that can appear while traveling, particularly if you’re not familiar with the destination and its food culture. “There are different allergies in different areas,” says Mohammad Jafferany, MD, executive director of the Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA) and a psychodermatologist in Saginaw, Michigan. “That can include the pollen in the air, allergies from going to a forest or going through a jungle, and food allergies to unfamiliar food and drinks.” Finally, eczema can also be triggered by emotional stress — which can go hand in hand with travel. Think: flight cancellations, missing connecting flights, lost luggage, and other travel hazards.
How to Make Travel Easier With Eczema
To make your journey as smooth as possible, it’s important to know your own eczema triggers and prepare as much as you can to minimize them before you even leave the house. Here are some tips:
