We here at Boondocker’s Bible have actually heard some RVers claim that they don’t boondock because it makes their allergies worse. While we can’t argue against what they experience, we can say that we’ve dealt with allergies everywhere, including RV Parks and paid campgrounds too.
How to Protect Against Allergies When Boondocking
Tips for Immediate Allergy Relief
Wash Your Face and Hands – A cold, wet towel (without soap) gives great immediate relief two ways: The first is that the feel of cold and wet against the face offers a satisfying sensation when your eyes and nose are going crazy. You may even find the contrast in temperature will open your sinuses. But it also cleans off the allergens stuck to your skin. Many allergic reactions result from allergens that get rubbed into the eyes, or introduced through the mouth and nose.
Use a Wide Variety of Medications, Not Just One – Most boondockers stock up on several types of anti-allergy products instead of relying on just one. This is because each anti-allergy product is generally effective on certain types of allergens, and not all. Flo-Nase and Zyrtec work pretty well when taken together, the Flo-Nase offers more immediate relief with the sinuses and airways, while Zyrtec works well with watery, itchy eyes. Try other forms of anti-allergy medications, and take them in combination.
Tips for Long Term Allergy Relief
Let Your Skin’s Natural Oils do its Job – Oils secreted through the skin are your body’s first line of defense against allergens and infections. Beneficial bacteria live in these oils and kill off harmful bacteria. Washing with soap everyday removes these bacteria and leaves your body susceptible to allergy attacks and infections. These oils also prevent your skin from cracking. These cracks allow allergens, harmful bacteria, virus bodies, and yeast into your blood stream. The oils also trap these micro-bodies and keeps them suspended and prevented from entering.
Don’t shower with soap everyday! Instead of showering with soap and shampoo, try instead to clean yourself with a wet washcloth or pre-moistened towelettes. If you must shower daily, then use soap only once or twice a week, and on other days use a washcloth without any soap to remove dirt from your skin.
Stay Dry – Yeast and mold tend to form on the skin under prolonged moist conditions. If it has been raining at your camp for an extended period, and you’re wearing the same moist jacket for several days, yeast and mold will grow in the fabric and transfer into your body through cracks in the skin.
Double Up on Benadryl When Going to Bed – Going to sleep is the time to take a double dose of Benadryl because the allergy relief helps you sleep better, but also because Benadryl will make you sleepy. You’ll also have some relief during the early part of the day after you wake up.