10 Amazon Travel Essentials for Seasonal Allergies and Asthma

While I was lucky enough to outgrow my childhood fear of clowns and distaste for Brussels sprouts, my seasonal allergies, allergic asthma, and eczema have all followed me into adulthood—much to my frustration. I love traveling and want to enjoy Mother Nature just like everyone else seems to be able to this time of year, so I try my best not to allow my itchy skin, watery eyes, and sneezing fits to hold me back. So, the moment I notice trees and flowers beginning to bloom, I start batting down the hatches. Now, I’m stockpiling Claritin D, dressing in breathable, linen clothes, requesting an inhaler refill from my doctor, and ditching perfumey lotions for itch-relief creams—all pieces of my springtime prep ritual. 

To avoid staying cooped up inside my hotel room, I make sure to pack certain travel essentials in my carry-on, like a portable nebulizer and compact anti-itch sticks—both of which make my symptoms much more manageable. Keep scrolling to shop for the 10 items I pack on every spring trip, starting at $5. (Note: Always check with your doctor before implementing new products into your routine.)

Mayluck Misty Portable Nebulizer

I recently bought this exact portable nebulizer while visiting family, and it’s been an absolute game changer for my asthma. It fits in the palm of my hand, comes with three inhalation attachments—a pediatric mask, an adult mask, and a mouthpiece—as well as an LED screen that displays the fog output mode, low battery warning, and liquid absence warning. It instantly starts producing mist once it’s turned on, and I found it to be much quieter than my ancient, hefty plug-in nebulizer; I was even able to use it while watching television with my family. Mine was charged and ready to go right out of the box, so I was able to fire it up with ampoules of saline immediately.

Ezy Dose Travel Sinus Rinse

My ol’ reliable Neti Pot holds a special place in my heart, but for traveling, I prefer something more compact. This Ezy Dose Travel Sinus Rinse has a cylindrical syringe design that allows you to control the speed and amount of rinse you use. Small enough to fit inside of a sling bag, this sinus rinse comes with individual packs of dry saline mix packets instead of liquid saline, preventing accidental spills in your carry-on bag. 

Cortizone 10 Itch Relief Roller Ball

I love the instant eczema relief that Cortizone 10 cream provides, but it’s quite thick and sticky, and the tube it typically comes in can be impractical for travel. This roller ball version, however, contains a quick-drying liquid formula and is perfectly packable at just 1.5 ounces. Simply swipe it over hives, eczema, or bug bites for mess-free relief. 

Sithon Epipen Carrying Case

If you’re traveling with an epinephrine shot, you’ll want to make sure it’s easy to identify in your luggage in the event of an emergency. This zippered, insulated carrying case has a bright red first aid symbol printed on the front, helping ensure it’s not mistaken for a toiletry bag or electronics organizer. Inside are two shot pockets and two mesh pockets to store other items (like an inhaler, Band-Aids, or eye drops). There’s an additional pocket on the exterior, and on top of an adjustable wrist strap, it has two velcro straps that can attach to a backpack strap for quick access.

Fixmyskin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Balm Stick

Just like the aforementioned Cortizone 10 rollerball, this Fixmyskin Hydrocortisone Stick provides quick, convenient itch relief on the go—but is even more compact, taking up the same amount of space as a standard lip balm. Invented and developed by Nebraska-based dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD, and his chemist father, Bernie Schlessinger, PhD, the gentle balm is formulated with nourishing ingredients like cocoa seed butter and can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, cracked lips, and even minor burns. Amazon reviewers attest to its healing capabilities, with one shopper reporting it’s been “excellent” for treating burns and bug bites, and has been gentle on their highly sensitive skin. 

Muchengbao Travel Pill Organizer 4-pack

Daily pill organizers can help with sticking to a regimen, but seasonal allergy symptoms can be unpredictable due to fluctuating pollen levels and environmental factors. That’s why I prefer to travel with an unmarked pill organizer in the spring. This pack of pill organizers comes with blank labels, so you can write the name of your medication on each compartment. It also has pre-made labels for Monday through Friday, allowing you to customize the organizers to suit your needs. The pack of four organizers can help you keep allergy medications separate from other daily medications. Or, use them to keep jewelry and other small items organized.

Boogie Gentle Saline Nose Wipes

Once pollen makes direct contact with my body, I immediately turn into an itchy, watery, sniffling mess—and remain that way until I can find a place to wash it off. Since bathroom access isn’t always guaranteed while traveling, I like to keep wipes on hand to keep pollen at bay. These Boogie saline wipes are fragrance-, alcohol-, and paraben-free, so they won’t cause further irritation to your skin. Gentle enough to use on infants, the aloe and chamomile-infused wipes are a soothing alternative to plain tissues. 

Huheta Individually-wrapped N95 Masks

I know, I know. The idea of wearing a mask post-pandemic might turn you off, but they’re the only way to prevent yourself from inhaling pollen while you’re outside.  Each of the masks in this 30-pack comes individually sealed, so you can pack as many as you need while leaving the rest at home. 

Fulminare Portable Air Purifier

On sale for $30, this 9-inch-long portable air purifier can easily fit into a checked bag, making it “perfect for traveling.” Equipped with a HEPA filtration system, the plug-in air purifier filters out pollen, allergens, pollutants and pet dander. It has three fan speeds, a timer setting, and sleep mode. A night light function helps to navigate dark hotel rooms in the middle of the night. 

Vicks Non-medicated Vaposhower Shower Steamers

If my nose is extra stuffy, I like using a shower steamer to open my airways. This option from Vicks touts the same sinus-clearing, soothing menthol and camphor scent of the brand’s VapoRub salve, creating a refreshing “spa-like experience.” This pack includes 12 individually-wrapped steamers, making them easy to store in your toiletry bag.

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