If you’ve got wanderlust, don’t let asthma keep you at home. You can travel for fun or business just like anyone else. The trick is to plan ahead. Ask your healthcare provider for tips on traveling with asthma. A few weeks before your trip, spend some time to do the following:

Think about your destination. Are you visiting family members who share home and hearth with a cat? If animal dander causes you to have severe asthma, think about staying in a hotel--in a nonsmoking room. At the very least, make sure the cat stays out of your bedroom. If the cat has been in the bedroom recently, you may notice a worsening of asthma symptoms. Don’t sit on upholstered furniture. And keep your medication close by.

If you’re seeking sun, remember that warm climates also tend to be humid--which makes them ideal for pollen and mold. If you have allergic asthma, that can mean trouble. How do you know what to expect? Get up-to-date pollen counts from the National Allergy Bureau by calling 1-800-9-POLLEN or checking their web site www.aaaai.org.

Checking into a hotel? Make sure you get a non-smoking room. If you’re traveling overseas, try to find a hotel with air conditioning. You’ll breathe best in a clean, cool room.

Check Your Medication. Stock up on asthma medication before you head out into the great unknown. If you use an inhaler regularly, consider taking two--one could get lost. Keep medications in their original containers and within easy reach, in case you have an asthma attack. (It’s a good idea to carry medication on the plane, in case your bags get lost.) Also, keep a list of your medications and dosage schedule in your wallet or purse. If you need oral steroids for flares, pack a course of steroids to have in case you develop worsening symptoms.