For someone hyper-sensitive to their environment, such as individuals who deal with CIRS, finding a safe home is one challenge, but then the thought of travel can feel like it is truly an impossible feat! If you feel good at home, the last thing you want to do is rock the boat and try to stay in a new space.
While this is true, avoiding travel for the rest of one’s life is virtually impossible. You will be required to travel at some point, so why not practice what works and doesn’t work for you on your timeline?
- Plan ahead! Ask other friends and family with CIRS if they have stayed in hotels and Airbnb’s and felt safe. Also, PureRoom has a room finder tab on their website. Pure Rooms is a standard that some hotel chains participate in to offer allergy-friendly rooms that include air purification. It is undoubtedly an excellent place to start! Also, it’s a competitive marketplace. Many Airbnb hosts are happy to answer any questions you have about the HVAC setup, whether it’s a new build or has non-porous flooring, for example. The more issues you can eliminate upfront, the higher the chances of having a safe and healthy stay.
2. Research low-VOC hotel chains. Believe it or not, this is becoming more common. In fact, all Home2 Suites by Hilton are low-VOC builds. If you call ahead, they will also ensure that no chemical air fresheners are used in your room before your stay! Another example, The Element by Marriott, is a minimalistic design that is very allergy-friendly. All rooms at the Element are carpet-free!
3. Invest in a hand-held air purifier! Travel Air Purifier by Air Tamer – another excellent product for small spaces for travel. This is not just applicable for mold but Covid as well.
4. Handheld Travel Essential Oil Diffuser can help clean your airspace on a plane or in whichever mode of travel, which is especially handy during a pandemic. We love the security of treating our airspace with On Guard or Thieves essential oils.
5. Don’t forget to pack your Neti pot! Cleaning sinuses regularly is something that can genuinely help those affected by CIRS while on the road. A quality Neti Pot is a daily tool.
6. Pack essential supplements such as Biocidin LSF, your mycotoxin binder, and Vitamin C.
7. Be sure to bring enough EC3 Laundry Booster for three loads of laundry, just in case you have a small, acute exposure and need to neutralize your things fast!
8. Use luggage that is non-porous. Hard-case luggage is increasingly more common, which can help minimize any spores your bags pick up in their travels.
9. If you are driving, pack your Fogger and EC3 Solution bundle by Microbalance Health Products. If you don’t already have one, it’s a great investment for those with CIRS. For short stays, fogging ahead of time can significantly reduce unnecessary reactions. This is a hard thing to pack if you are flying, but it may be worth shipping it ahead of time to help make your journey more comfortable for longer trips.
10. Consider a travel water-purifier. They come in many forms – some are water bottles that you can drink from like this one!
Overall, the best advice we can give to you is: Always advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up and politely share what your needs are. Along the way, you will inevitably need help from others in your quest for mold avoidance. The more you practice speaking up and articulating your needs, the easier it will be in the long run. How can someone help if they don’t know what the issue is?
And, if all else fails, thankfully, camping is a fun family activity that can easily be made safe for the person with CIRS who does well with some extra fresh air!
For more tips, or if you are interested in learning how to face life’s challenges with CIRS, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Also, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments below or on our social media.
And of course, please book your inspection today! While we are always sorry to hear of anyone who has a mold issue, we do look forward to sharing our experience, insight, and resources with you!