Today, we are headed to Anaheim, California to meet the rest of our team for Natural Products Expo West. Preparing for our trip got us thinking: air travel, whether for vacation or pleasure, can be a very stressful experience that can take a toll on your skin, especially for irritated skin sufferers. In our research for helpful travel tips, we found a great article on iVillage.com providing tips for psoriasis sufferers to make every trip more comfortable and less stressful. Here are our favorite air travel tips:

1. Pack efficiently. If you need moisturizers or creams for the plane, make sure they are small enough to meet the TSA requirements. If your products are not medications, remember that they must be smaller than 3.4 ounces and must fit in one one-quart bag. To check out the TSA’s 3-1-1 guidelines, click here. If your products are medications, make sure they remain in their original packaging so they are easily identifiable by TSA inspectors. It may also be helpful to have your dermatologist write a note that you can carry with you explaining your condition and that you need to have certain items with you on the plane.

2. Keep your skin hydrated. The air on planes is very dry and can quickly irritate and dry out your skin. Make sure that you moisturize your skin before boarding the plane, and if you feel that your skin is becoming too dry in flight, reapply. It is also very important to drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages to keep your body hydrated.

3. Take control of your stress. There is little doubt that stress can affect the condition of your skin and cause uncomfortable flare-ups. Some easy ways to minimize stress are to pack ahead of time, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and pass through security, and listen to music or read a book during flight to calm your nerves. If you are on a long flight, try to get up during the flight to stretch your legs.

4. Dress comfortably. When traveling, it is very important to wear loose, comfortable clothing that will not rub against and irritate the skin. Whenever possible, choose soft, cotton fabrics.

Happy travels!

If you have helpful travel trips you would like to share, please send them to us and we will post them in our blog.