Traveling with an Allergy in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Traveling from Grand Rapids—whether you’re flying out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport, driving across Michigan, or heading overseas—can increase your exposure to allergy triggers. With West Michigan’s changing seasons, lake-effect weather, and common environmental allergens, it’s especially important for Grand Rapids residents with allergies or asthma to plan ahead.

This guide explains how to travel safely with allergies, with local Grand Rapids and Michigan-specific tips and resources.

Common Allergy Triggers When Traveling

When you travel, you may be exposed to higher levels of:

  • Food allergens

    • Peanuts, tree nuts, seeds
    • Shellfish and fish
    • Eggs
    • Milk, soy, wheat (gluten-containing foods)

  • Environmental allergens

    • Seasonal pollen (especially in West Michigan spring and fall)
    • Dust and dust mites (common in hotels and vacation rentals)
    • Mold (can be worse in damp or older buildings, lakeside cabins, and basements)
    • Insect stings (bees, wasps, hornets)

  • Respiratory triggers (especially for asthma)

    • Cold, dry winter air in Michigan
    • Smoke, strong perfumes, cleaning chemicals
    • Air pollution or poor air quality (including wildfire smoke that can reach Michigan)

Because Grand Rapids has cold winters and high pollen seasons in spring and early summer, local travelers with allergies or asthma should be especially careful when changing climates or traveling during peak pollen times.

Before You Travel: See Your Grand Rapids Healthcare Provider

If you have any allergy—especially if you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or asthma attacks—schedule an appointment before you travel.

Consider seeing:

  • Your primary care doctor (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or independent clinics in Kent County)
  • An allergist/immunologist in Grand Rapids for specialized advice
  • Your asthma specialist if you have moderate to severe asthma

At Your Pre-Travel Appointment, Discuss:

  • Your specific allergy triggers (foods, insects, pollen, medications, etc.)
  • Whether you need an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (e.g., EpiPen®) and how many to bring
  • Your current medications, doses, and refills for the entire trip
  • An updated:
    • Action plan for anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions)
    • Asthma action plan, if you have asthma
  • Whether you need a doctor’s letter listing:
    • Your allergies
    • Your diagnosis (e.g., anaphylaxis risk, asthma)
    • All medications and devices (EpiPen®, inhalers, antihistamines, etc.)
    • Any special instructions for airlines or border/security checks

Ask your doctor to explain clearly:

  • When and how to use your epinephrine injector
  • When to use antihistamines, inhalers, or other medications
  • What to do if your symptoms worsen while you are away from Grand Rapids

Essential Travel Checklist for People with Allergies

For All Travelers with Allergies (Mild to Severe)

When you travel, always carry:

  • Enough medication for your entire trip

    • Plus extra in case of delays, lost luggage, or extended stays
    • Keep medications in their original pharmacy packaging with labels

  • A doctor’s letter

    • Listing your allergies, asthma, and medications
    • Helpful for airport security, customs, and foreign medical staff

  • A mobile phone

    • With emergency numbers saved for the countries/regions you’re visiting
    • With your emergency contact information easily accessible

  • Travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions

    • Confirm that allergies, anaphylaxis, and asthma are specifically covered
    • Check coverage for emergency care and hospital stays abroad

If You Are at Risk of Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

If you’ve ever had anaphylaxis—or your doctor says you are at risk—plan carefully:

  • Carry at least two adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors at all times
  • Keep them in hand luggage or on your person, never in checked bags
  • Do not store them in overhead lockers where they might be hard to reach
  • Keep them protected from extreme temperatures (very hot or cold)

Also carry:

  • A written anaphylaxis action plan (from your doctor)
  • A travel plan for anaphylaxis, if your allergist provides one
  • A medical alert bracelet or necklace stating your allergy and anaphylaxis risk
  • Antihistamines and any other prescribed emergency medications

Traveling with Mild Allergies (e.g., Hay Fever)

If you have mild allergies such as hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)—common in Michigan during spring and early summer:

  • Bring your usual allergy medications:

    • Non-drowsy antihistamine tablets
    • Nasal sprays
    • Eye drops

  • Check pollen forecasts for your destination, especially if traveling to:

    • Rural or heavily wooded areas
    • Lakeside cabins around Michigan or other Great Lakes states

  • Consider:

    • Wearing sunglasses outdoors to reduce pollen in your eyes
    • Showering and changing clothes after spending time outside

Even mild allergies can worsen when changing climates, staying in new environments, or being exposed to new plants and pollens.

Traveling with Food Allergies

Food allergies require extra planning, especially if you are leaving Grand Rapids and traveling to unfamiliar areas or countries.

Before You Go

  • Research:

    • Food labeling laws in the countries you will visit
    • Whether common allergens (like peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat) must be clearly labeled

  • Consider:

    • Foreign language allergy cards that state your allergies clearly to restaurant staff
    • Printing cards in the languages of your destination countries

  • Book:

    • Accommodation with a kitchen, if possible, so you can prepare safe meals
    • Hotels or resorts that are used to handling special diets

At Restaurants and Cafés

  • Always inform staff clearly that you have a food allergy
  • Ask:
    • About ingredients
    • How food is prepared
    • Whether there is a risk of cross-contact (shared fryers, utensils, or surfaces)
  • When in doubt, do not eat the food

Always bring your epinephrine injector and antihistamines to restaurants, even when dining locally in Grand Rapids or elsewhere in Michigan.

Flying with Allergies from Grand Rapids

Gerald R. Ford International Airport serves many major airlines, and each airline has its own food allergy policy. Before booking:

  • Check:
    • Whether the airline can provide allergy-friendly meals
    • If they serve peanuts or tree nuts on board
    • If they can create a buffer zone (e.g., no nuts in nearby seats)

Some airlines may:

  • Ask you to sign a waiver/indemnity form if you have a peanut or severe food allergy
  • Not be able to fully guarantee an allergen-free environment

Air Travel Safety Tips

  • Always carry your adrenaline injector in your hand luggage or clothing

    • Never check it in your suitcase
    • Do not rely on airline or airport medical kits

  • Keep:

    • Your doctor’s letter and action plan easily accessible
    • Your medications where you can reach them without standing up

  • If you have asthma:

    • Make sure your asthma is well controlled before flying
    • Bring:
      • Your reliever inhaler (e.g., albuterol) in your carry-on
      • Your controller inhalers in both carry-on and checked luggage
      • Your asthma action plan

Flying in a pressurized cabin is usually safe if your asthma is under good control. If you’re unsure, discuss this with your Grand Rapids doctor before booking your flight.

Traveling with Asthma

People in Michigan often find that cold winter air, seasonal pollen, and mold can worsen asthma. When you travel, new environments may trigger symptoms.

Asthma Travel Checklist

  • An up-to-date asthma action plan

  • Enough:

    • Reliever inhalers (e.g., albuterol)
    • Controller inhalers (e.g., inhaled steroids)
    • Spacers or other devices, if you use them

  • Medications in:

    • Carry-on luggage (keep them accessible; do not stash them where you can’t reach them)
    • Checked luggage as backup, in case one bag is delayed or lost

  • A doctor’s letter listing:

    • Your asthma diagnosis
    • Your medications
    • Any recent asthma attacks or hospital visits

Avoid known asthma triggers as much as possible, including smoke, strong fragrances, and dusty environments.

Local Grand Rapids & Michigan Resources

If you live in or near Grand Rapids, you can access:

  • Local Hospitals & Emergency Care

    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) facilities in Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health locations in West Michigan
    • Emergency Departments: visit the nearest hospital ED for severe reactions or asthma attacks

  • Public Health Resources

    • Kent County Health Department – information on local health services, immunizations, and environmental health
    • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics for general health support

  • Allergy & Asthma Specialists

    • Board-certified allergists and immunologists throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan (ask your primary care provider for a referral)

What to Do in an Emergency While Traveling

  • In the United States, including Michigan and Grand Rapids:

    • Call 911 immediately for:
      • Trouble breathing
      • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
      • Signs of anaphylaxis (hives plus breathing difficulty, dizziness, or collapse)
      • Severe asthma attack not improving with your inhaler

  • In other countries:

    • Learn the local emergency number before you arrive
    • Save it in your phone and keep it written on a card in your wallet/passport

If you need emergency care while traveling, bring:

  • Your medications
  • Your doctor’s letter
  • Your action plans for anaphylaxis or asthma

Key Points for Grand Rapids Travelers with Allergies

  • Traveling with allergies—especially with a risk of severe reaction or asthma attack—requires careful planning.
  • Always see your doctor in Grand Rapids before traveling to update your medications and action plans.
  • Choose airlines and accommodations that can best support your dietary and medical needs.
  • Always carry your adrenaline injector and essential medications in your hand luggage or on your person.
  • Make sure your travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions, including allergies and asthma.
  • Know how to reach emergency services—both in Grand Rapids (911) and in any country or region you visit.

By planning ahead and using local resources in Grand Rapids, you can travel more safely and confidently with allergies or asthma—whether you’re heading across Michigan, around the Great Lakes, or overseas.