Traveling with asthma

 

 Packing for a trip is always an experience. If you forget to pack something, you can usually buy it wherever you are. Soap, shampoo, combs, razors, etc.

EXCEPT: inhalers. It's not like you can find a corner drugstore and grab an inhaler. You will need a prescription, which will mean a trip to an insta-care, clinic or emergency room. And if you are traveling in a different state or country, that can be expensive.

My inhaler and the kid's nebulizer   have gone to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, and many other places. I don't go ANYWHERE without my inhaler. With my luck, the one time I didn't have my inhaler in my purse would be the time that I would need it.(I have actually had an asthma attack and didn't have my inhaler with me once. It was scary!)

Remember to pack your inhaler in your carry on bag, not in your luggage. Airlines do lose luggage, and you don't want to be without it on the flight. What if you have an asthma attack on the flight and your inhaler is in your toiletries bag in your suitcase? Which is packed in the belly of the plane?

I wanted to know how security at airports handle inhalers. I looked on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website under "Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions"  

Non-liquid or gel medications of all kinds such as solid pills, or inhalers are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to assist with the screening process.

They suggest putting it in a plastic ziploc bag and handling it to the security agent to visually inspect.

The ehow website says that:

"The TSA says prescription medications, in general, are allowed in carry-on luggage. However, the medications must be in their original pharmacy packaging labeled with the passenger's name. Passengers who don't have their inhaler package with them will likely risk delays during the screening process".

I don't usually keep the box my inhaler came in. I hope security isn't that strict, they probably see inhalers all the time. I don't remember having a problem when I flew cross country. Of course, it would be my luck that there would be a problem

So, check out the TSA website to see exactly what they want travelers to do. The last thing you need is to be in a strange city without an inhaler.