Can I fly with allergic rhinitis?

Swelling and congestion of the nasal passages in allergic rhinitis can cause discomfort and prevent normal breathing. This becomes a significant distractor while flying and may lead some aviators to take over-the-counter allergy medications that are not approved for flight duties.



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There are many reasons why allergies can become worse when traveling. In general, changes in climate can make them worse. For example, a dry climate and low humidity in an airplane or new location. Traveling to areas with higher counts of pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and animal allergens can impact your allergies.

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Try antihistamines: For those with allergy symptoms and air pressure regulation difficulties, medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra may be a good option. Antihistamines are often formulated to include decongestants (such as Claritin-D, Allegra-D, and Zyrtec-D).

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Many pilots are unaware that there are wait times after each use of sedating antihistamines. For cetirizine (Zyrtec®) and levocetirizine (Xyzal®), you should not fly for 48 hours after taking the last dose. For diphenhydramine or doxylamine, you should not fly for 60 hours after taking the last dose.

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The dry air, low pressure, and the low amount of oxygen cause the immune system to weaken and can lead to inflamed sinus cavities.

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Why can air travel have a negative influence on your sinus health? On an airplane, the cabin air supply contains various contaminants that carry potential harm to the sinuses—and may play a role in introducing bacteria into the sinus cavities.

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Airplane air is dryer than typical air. The low humidity of cabin air can inflame the sinus's delicate mucous membranes. The lack of moisture can also disrupt their natural cleaning process—leaving you more vulnerable to infection.

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If you suffer from allergies, consider a non-sedating antihistamine instead, such as loratadine (Claritin®) or fexofenadine (Allegra). Claritin and Allegra do not have wait times (after the initial ground trial).

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By staying awake, you can practice the methods below to help eliminate or reduce pain and pressure. If you have any allergy or cold-related symptoms, make sure you take an antihistamine or decongestant spray at least 30-45 minutes before your flight.

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Avoid overuse, however, because nasal sprays taken over three to four days can increase congestion. Use decongestant pills cautiously. Decongestants taken by mouth might help if taken 30 minutes to an hour before an airplane flight.

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If you have sinus pressure during flights then you should bring along a decongestant spray (Oxymetazoline or Phenylephrine), found in the nasal aisle at the drug store, and use it approximately one hour before a flight of any duration.

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People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed.

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