Travelling with allergies: How to tell the difference between allergies and illness

Posted: 13th June 2024 | Posted by Costa

Travelling with allergies: How to tell the difference between allergies and illness

Travelling is a rite of passage. It’s always an exciting adventure to experience new places rich with unique foods, spaces, flavours, textures, and cultures. However, this excitement can sometimes come with unexpected and uncomfortable health symptoms. Travelling with allergies can be frustrating, especially when you don’t realise you have them.

Understanding whether these symptoms are due to allergies or illnesses can help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here’s a guide to help you differentiate between the two.

Itchy eyes

• Allergy: When visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, you might experience itchy eyes due to pollen allergies.
• Illness: In contrast, itchy eyes in a crowded city like New Delhi could indicate an eye infection, particularly if accompanied by redness and discharge.

Stomach discomfort

• Allergy: Trying spicy street food in Thailand might cause stomach discomfort if you have a food allergy, such as to certain spices or shellfish.
• Illness: On the other hand, stomach discomfort in Mexico could be a sign of foodborne illness or traveller’s diarrhoea, especially if accompanied by fever and vomiting.

Skin rashes

• Allergy: In the Mediterranean, sun exposure combined with new skincare products might trigger a photodermatitis allergy, causing a rash.
• Illness: In tropical regions like Brazil, a skin rash might be due to an insect bite or infection, especially if it spreads or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever.

Respiratory issues

• Allergy: Visiting a city with high pollution levels, such as Beijing, can worsen respiratory allergies. Look for symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Illness: Similar symptoms in a place with a high prevalence of respiratory infections, like during flu season, might indicate an illness.

Take control of your health

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it might be a good time to consider allergy testing. Allergy tests can help determine the specific triggers causing your discomfort, allowing for targeted management strategies. Our testing methods are precise and patient-friendly, providing you with the knowledge you need to improve your quality of life.

Don’t let unexplained symptoms control your life. By identifying the underlying issues, you can embark on a path to better health, comfort, and peace of mind. Take one of our tests today or register as a new patient to take the first step towards feeling more awake and in control of your health.