Traveling with Ichthyosis
Travel with ichthyosis can pose unique challenges for both packing and skin care.
Preparation is key. Approaching your trip with a sense of anticipation – rather than anxiety – is the goal.
OVERVIEW
Ichthyosis is highly variable among individuals. For the purposes of this resource, we will address common symptoms and refer to “flare ups” in general. “Flare up” is a worsening of symptoms, caused by a trigger. Different triggers can cause different kinds of flares.
Remember ichthyosis is a disorder of inflammation. Stress, change in climate, dry air, food allergies. different skincare…all of these can impact the inflammation already present in the body.
Anticipating these stressors can help minimize their impact and allow you to focus on your trip.
Before You Go
Try to be stricter with your skin care routine prior to the trip. Implementing more bathing and moisturizers will help prevent an occurrence of a flare up. Also, don’t go overboard with exfoliation which can decrease your skin’s ability to protect itself in the changing environment.
Travel Anxiety
Travel stress happens to everyone. For people with ichthyosis, emotional stress can trigger skin flare ups. Follow your own most effective protocols for stress management and relaxation, Think: deep breathing, quality sleep, yoga, journaling.
Climate Adaptation
Your skin gets used to your home climate. People with ichthyosis have a compromised barrier, so changes in air quality and temperature at a destination could trigger a response and cause a flare up. To prevent this, be aware of the activities planned and resources needed for your comfort and skin health. Before and during your travel, check the UV Index, Air Quality Index, and humidity at your destination. For a dryer environment, you might need to apply more lotion daily or change to a stronger barrier cream. At times of day with a high UV Index, take extra care for sun protection. It might be much higher than what you have at home. The Air Quality Index measures the pollutants in the air, large and small. Due to the compromised skin barrier, people with ichthyosis might find themselves triggered by something in the air in the new environment.
Air Travel
Recirculated air in the plane cabin will have an impact on skin—the longer the flight, the bigger the impact. Cabin air is famously dry, and the Covid pandemic and its hand sanitizers, masks, and antibacterials are hard on skin.
Travel outfits should include socks and options to layer. Most cabin temperatures are cold, and long sleeves and pants will not only keep you warm, but provide an extra layer of protection against cabin air.
Your carryon bag should contain hand lotion, lip balm, and face lotion at a minimum. Some people like to bring wet wipes (look for low or no alcohol) and water sprays on board for skin hydration. Consider bringing prescriptions and full-body lotion in case you need it or get separated from your checked bag.
Preparation is key. Approaching your trip with a sense of anticipation – rather than anxiety – is the goal.
OVERVIEW
Ichthyosis is highly variable among individuals. For the purposes of this resource, we will address common symptoms and refer to “flare ups” in general. “Flare up” is a worsening of symptoms, caused by a trigger. Different triggers can cause different kinds of flares.
Remember ichthyosis is a disorder of inflammation. Stress, change in climate, dry air, food allergies. different skincare…all of these can impact the inflammation already present in the body.
Anticipating these stressors can help minimize their impact and allow you to focus on your trip.
Before You Go
Try to be stricter with your skin care routine prior to the trip. Implementing more bathing and moisturizers will help prevent an occurrence of a flare up. Also, don’t go overboard with exfoliation which can decrease your skin’s ability to protect itself in the changing environment.
Travel Anxiety
Travel stress happens to everyone. For people with ichthyosis, emotional stress can trigger skin flare ups. Follow your own most effective protocols for stress management and relaxation, Think: deep breathing, quality sleep, yoga, journaling.
Climate Adaptation
Your skin gets used to your home climate. People with ichthyosis have a compromised barrier, so changes in air quality and temperature at a destination could trigger a response and cause a flare up. To prevent this, be aware of the activities planned and resources needed for your comfort and skin health. Before and during your travel, check the UV Index, Air Quality Index, and humidity at your destination. For a dryer environment, you might need to apply more lotion daily or change to a stronger barrier cream. At times of day with a high UV Index, take extra care for sun protection. It might be much higher than what you have at home. The Air Quality Index measures the pollutants in the air, large and small. Due to the compromised skin barrier, people with ichthyosis might find themselves triggered by something in the air in the new environment.
Air Travel
Recirculated air in the plane cabin will have an impact on skin—the longer the flight, the bigger the impact. Cabin air is famously dry, and the Covid pandemic and its hand sanitizers, masks, and antibacterials are hard on skin.
Travel outfits should include socks and options to layer. Most cabin temperatures are cold, and long sleeves and pants will not only keep you warm, but provide an extra layer of protection against cabin air.
Your carryon bag should contain hand lotion, lip balm, and face lotion at a minimum. Some people like to bring wet wipes (look for low or no alcohol) and water sprays on board for skin hydration. Consider bringing prescriptions and full-body lotion in case you need it or get separated from your checked bag.
Doctor’s Letter
Your doctor’s letter is a pass for several things:
Your doctor’s letter is a pass for several things:
- Medical exemption for carry on luggage liquids.
- Some airports will allow you to pre-board or use a disability placard that allows use of faster handicapped security lanes.
- In the unfortunate event your symptoms of ichthyosis are questioned as a communicable disease, the doctor’s letter can clear up the situation. See details below in the Air Carrier Access Act
Allergies
For those prone to contact allergies and skin breakouts, it’s recommended to bring your own pillow and sheets. Depending on the hotel, the option to stay in a feather free room may be available. For hotels and rentals, be aware that cleaning supplies might be used that don’t agree with your skin.
If you struggle with food allergies, pack a carry-on with essential safe snacks. Calling ahead to restaurants or looking at their online menu may save time. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) allows you to print a card that has foods you need to avoid in different languages.
Bathing
Maintaining your home bathing protocol will help your skin ease into the new environment. Consider choosing lodging that has confirmed bathtubs, rather than just showers.
Products
Given the other unknowns you face, travel is not a good time to experiment with new products. That said, if you forget or lose your cream, you can likely find a petroleum jelly at most drugstores around the globe. Sunscreen is also widely available around the globe. If you want to bring your full-size creams with you, and you worry about the weight limit of checked bags, you can carry them on provided you have your doctor’s note (see above).
International Travel
Throughout the world, product formulations differ for lotions and other household products. To ensure your skin doesn’t break out, check ingredient labels starting with your favorite brands from home. As a last resort, you can ship necessary items to your destinations before you leave.
For those prone to contact allergies and skin breakouts, it’s recommended to bring your own pillow and sheets. Depending on the hotel, the option to stay in a feather free room may be available. For hotels and rentals, be aware that cleaning supplies might be used that don’t agree with your skin.
If you struggle with food allergies, pack a carry-on with essential safe snacks. Calling ahead to restaurants or looking at their online menu may save time. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) allows you to print a card that has foods you need to avoid in different languages.
Bathing
Maintaining your home bathing protocol will help your skin ease into the new environment. Consider choosing lodging that has confirmed bathtubs, rather than just showers.
Products
Given the other unknowns you face, travel is not a good time to experiment with new products. That said, if you forget or lose your cream, you can likely find a petroleum jelly at most drugstores around the globe. Sunscreen is also widely available around the globe. If you want to bring your full-size creams with you, and you worry about the weight limit of checked bags, you can carry them on provided you have your doctor’s note (see above).
International Travel
Throughout the world, product formulations differ for lotions and other household products. To ensure your skin doesn’t break out, check ingredient labels starting with your favorite brands from home. As a last resort, you can ship necessary items to your destinations before you leave.
YOUR RIGHTS – Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a law that makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. The Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the ACAA, which applies to all flights to, from, or within the United States.
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel. The Department of Transportation has a rule defining the rights of passengers and the obligations of airlines under this law. This rule applies to all flights of U.S. airlines, and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines. The following is a summary of the main points of the DOT rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382).
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines must do the following:
Prohibition of Discriminatory Practices
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a law that makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. The Department of Transportation is responsible for enforcing the ACAA, which applies to all flights to, from, or within the United States.
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel. The Department of Transportation has a rule defining the rights of passengers and the obligations of airlines under this law. This rule applies to all flights of U.S. airlines, and to flights to or from the United States by foreign airlines. The following is a summary of the main points of the DOT rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382).
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines must do the following:
Prohibition of Discriminatory Practices
- Airlines may not refuse transportation to people on the basis of disability. Airlines may exclude anyone from a flight if carrying the person would be inimical to the safety of the flight. If a carrier excludes a person with a disability on safety grounds, the carrier must provide a written explanation of the decision.
- Airlines may not require advance notice that a person with a disability is traveling. Air carriers may require up to 48 hours’ advance notice for certain accommodations that require preparation time (e.g., respirator hook-up, transportation of an electric wheelchair on an aircraft with less than 60 seats).
- Airlines may not limit the number of persons with disabilities on a flight.
- Airlines may not require a person with a disability to travel with another person, except in certain limited circumstances where the rule permits the airline to require a safety assistant. If a passenger with a disability and the airline disagree about the need for a safety assistant, the airline can require the assistant, but cannot charge for the transportation of the assistant.
- Airlines may not keep anyone out of a specific seat on the basis of disability, or require anyone to sit in a particular seat on the basis of disability, except to comply with FAA or foreign-government safety requirements. FAA’s rule on exit row seating says that airlines may place in exit rows only persons who can perform a series of functions necessary in an emergency evacuation.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive summary. There are also several specific accommodations for wheelchairs. For more information, view the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disability
