Twelve tips for healthy traveling

Sep 25, 08 | 1:56 am

According to the Center for Disease Control, one in four Americans suffer from allergies. A Cornell University survey found that an even greater number - one-third - reported having allergies or traveling with family members who had allergic reactions.

PURE Solutions has pioneered healthy travel with its PURE Allergy Friendly hotel rooms, currently in hotels across the United States and in many foreign countries. Through continuously circulated and filtered air, hypoallergenic bedding and pillows that are mold-, spore-, dust- and dust mite-proof, and surface cleaning that virtually eliminates the growth of bacteria, a PURE room reduces particulates that can trigger allergies by 98 percent. Wyndham Hotels is the latest hospitality company to sign on, with a promise to offer PURE rooms in all their properties by the end of 2009.

But, since PURE rooms are not yet available everywhere that people travel, here are some of the company's tips and precautions for healthy traveling:

Ask for an allergy-free, pet-free and no smoking hotel room. Increasingly hotels, notably those in major cities, are responding to worldwide consumer interest in and demand for more healthy accommodations. The closer you can come to enjoying a PURE room, the more enjoyable your trip will be

Sunshine and dry air minimize the growth of various types of irritants and contaminants, so try to get a hotel room that is bright and sunny, and well away from such facilities as swimming pools

Air circulation is key to a healthy hotel room so make sure that yours has good ventilation

It may run counter to the "fresh air is always good for you" myth, but air conditioning is often a wise idea when traveling by car and staying in a hotel room, particularly for those who have allergies or are sensitive to air-born pollutants

It may not be possible in the rainforest but it's always helpf`ul to try to keep humidity low, ideally at 50 percent or lower because moisture is generally needed for bacteria, viruses and other contaminants to grow. Air conditioning helps do this

Know your destination. Allergy and pollen seasons, temperatures and humidity, rainy and dry seasons all vary around the country and the world. The more you know about conditions in your destination at the time of your visit, the easier it is to prepare for possible discomfort. Try to plan your trip for a time of the year when indoor and outdoor pollutants are at a minimum

Bring your medications. Be sure to plan ahead, even consult a doctor if necessary, to ensure that you are prepared to combat whatever allergy or irritant might rear its ugly head during your travels. Have medications, especially anything needed for a sudden, serious allergic reaction, readily available at all time. And it's always wise to know something about available medical facilities and services when traveling to foreign countries

Drink plenty of water, but the right kind. Whether it's on an airplane or in a car, whether you are enjoying hot weather or vigorous exercise, keep your body full of fluids, especially fresh, clean water. When traveling internationally to some parts of the world, it might be wise to stick to bottled water, just to be safe

Be careful with food. New culinary traditions, ingredients and cooking methods can take some getting used to, even when there is absolutely nothing wrong or ill-prepared about the meal. If you are traveling to exotic destinations, get advice about what and where is safe to eat. And it's always a good idea to have an over-the-counter remedy on hand just in case

Protect your skin.  Pausing occasionally to apply sunblock is an easy way to avoid a sunburn - and possible more serious problems years from now - that could ruin a day or two of vacation

And, of course, ask for PURE room wherever you go. The more you ask, the quicker hotels around the world will have them

"With our modern lifestyles, the typical person can spend as much as 90 percent of his or her time indoors where invisible pollutants may be as much as 100 times more plentiful than outdoors. This can even be true when traveling as we stay in hotels, visit museums attend conferences or use public transportation," said Brian Brault, PURE Solutions' CEO. "From bad sleep, lethargy, itchy eyes and coughing to more serious allergic reactions and even infectious diseases, these pollutants can have a negative impact on our enjoyment of a vacation or the productivity of a business trip. Fortunately there are ways to minimize the risks, the best of which is a PURE room."

To find a hotel that offers PURE rooms, see http://www.pureroom.com/.

About PURE Solutions North America

PURE Solutions has innovated a system for hotels and conference centers that provides PURE rooms, an allergy-friendly room which results in indoor environments that have been treated to remove 98% of bacteria and viruses. The PURE room concept utilizes State-of-the-art purification techniques whereby each room is treated comprehensively to remove allergens and irritants from all surfaces, fabrics and air flow.  Over 50 of the nation's top hotels have installed PURE to date and this system is being adopted at a rapid rate by hotels worldwide.  For further information, see http://www.pureroom.com/.