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Direct Answer
Before booking an Airbnb, send the host a message asking about pets, smoking history, bedding materials, cleaning products, and mold-prone areas. Asking specific questions before you arrive is far more effective than hoping for the best. Below you will find a ready-to-copy message template, a room-by-room allergen checklist to use on arrival, and a packing list of allergy essentials. If your travel allergies are difficult to control despite precautions, a board-certified allergist can build a treatment plan—including allergy drops (SLIT)—that reduces your sensitivity so you react less wherever you stay.
The Copy-Paste Message Template
Send this message to your Airbnb host before booking or immediately after booking. Customize the bracketed sections. Most hosts appreciate the heads-up and respond promptly.
Why Each Question Matters
Room-by-Room Allergen Checklist on Arrival
Even with a good host response, do a quick walkthrough when you arrive. This takes less than five minutes and can prevent a miserable stay.
Bedroom (Most Important)
- Smell test — Musty or stale odor suggests mold or poor ventilation
- Check pillows — If down or feather, replace with your travel pillow or encasement
- Inspect mattress — Look for stains or visible dust accumulation along seams; put your encasement on immediately
- Check under the bed — Heavy dust buildup under the bed becomes airborne overnight from air currents
- Look for pet hair — Check upholstered headboards, curtains, and corners of the room
- Window area — Check sills and frames for condensation stains or visible mold
Bathroom
- Check grout and caulking — Black or dark discoloration around the tub, shower, and sink is mold
- Under the sink — Look for water damage, warped wood, or musty smell
- Ventilation — Confirm the exhaust fan works; use it during and after every shower
Kitchen and Living Areas
- Check for pest evidence — Cockroach allergens are a significant asthma trigger in urban properties. Look for droppings in cabinets.
- Assess upholstered furniture — If you have severe dust mite or pet allergies, place a clean sheet over the sofa before sitting
- Remove air fresheners — Unplug scented plug-ins or move diffusers to another room. Most hosts will not mind.
Travel Packing List for Allergy Sufferers
What to Do If the Property Triggers Your Allergies
If you arrive and immediately start sneezing, feel nasal congestion building, or notice your asthma tightening:
- Ventilate — Open windows (if pollen counts are low) to air out the property
- Take your medications — Pre-treat with your nasal corticosteroid spray and antihistamine
- Cover the pillow and mattress — Install your encasements right away
- Remove visible mold sources — Wipe down bathroom surfaces with a damp cloth
- Run the HVAC or your portable air purifier — Aim for 2–3 hours of filtration before sleeping
- Contact the host — Politely explain your situation. Many hosts will provide extra cleaning, remove air fresheners, or offer flexibility
- Know your cancellation rights — If conditions are genuinely unhealthy (visible mold, undisclosed pets), Airbnb’s guest refund policy may apply. Document with photos.
Why Precautions Alone Are Not Enough
Environmental avoidance helps, but it has real limits—especially when you travel. You cannot control what allergens exist in someone else’s home. You cannot deep-clean every rental. You cannot avoid all dust mite, pet, and mold exposure in unfamiliar environments.
This is where treating the underlying allergy makes the biggest difference. HeyPak® sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) gradually retrains your immune system to tolerate the allergens you encounter—dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollens. Over 3–5 years, SLIT can reduce the severity of your reactions so that staying in an imperfect environment does not ruin your trip.
SLIT drops travel easily. They do not require refrigeration. You take them daily wherever you are—home or away. HeyAllergy’s telemedicine platform means you can consult your allergist from anywhere in HeyAllergy’s seven service states, even while traveling.
When to See an Allergist
You should schedule a consultation with a board-certified allergist if:
- You dread traveling because of how your allergies flare in hotels, rentals, or other people’s homes
- You rely on antihistamines and nasal sprays daily while traveling but still feel miserable
- You have had asthma attacks triggered by unfamiliar environments
- You are not sure which specific allergens trigger your symptoms (dust mites vs. pet dander vs. mold vs. multiple)
- You want a long-term solution that reduces your baseline reactivity so you can travel more comfortably
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I message an Airbnb host about allergies before booking?
Yes. Messaging before you book gives you the option to choose a different property if the answers reveal allergen risks you cannot manage. Most hosts respond honestly and appreciate the transparency. Use the message template above to ask the right questions efficiently.
How long do pet allergens stay in a home after the pet is gone?
Cat allergens (Fel d 1) can persist in carpets, upholstery, and HVAC systems for 4–6 months after a cat is removed. Dog allergens clear somewhat faster but can still be detected for several months. Even in "pet-free" rentals, previous tenants’ pets may have left allergens behind.
Are Airbnb "allergy-friendly" listings reliable?
There is no standardized certification for allergy-friendly Airbnb listings. Hosts may use the term based on their own understanding, which may not align with medical standards. Always ask your specific questions regardless of how the listing is described. Your individual triggers matter more than generic labels.
Can I bring my own air purifier to an Airbnb?
Yes. Compact HEPA air purifiers designed for travel weigh 1–2 pounds and can significantly reduce airborne allergens in a bedroom overnight. Run it on high for 2–3 hours before sleeping, then on low overnight. This is especially useful in older properties or those with carpet.
What if I have an allergic reaction at an Airbnb?
Take your rescue medications immediately (antihistamine, nasal spray, inhaler if needed). Ventilate the space, apply your pillow encasements, and contact the host. If conditions are genuinely unsafe (severe mold, undisclosed pets causing asthma), document with photos and contact Airbnb support. Their guest refund policy may cover uninhabitable conditions.
Will allergy drops help me react less when I travel?
Yes. HeyPak® sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) works by gradually retraining your immune system to tolerate dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollens. Over time, your baseline reactivity decreases, meaning unfamiliar environments trigger fewer and milder symptoms. The drops travel easily and require no refrigeration.
Author, Review and Disclaimer
Author: Krikor Manoukian, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI — Board-Certified Allergist/Immunologist
Bio: Dr. Manoukian is a board-certified allergist/immunologist with over 20 years of experience. He leads HeyAllergy’s clinical team and specializes in telemedicine-enabled allergy care and personalized sublingual immunotherapy programs.
Medical Review: HeyAllergy Clinical Team (Board-Certified Allergists/Immunologists)
Disclaimer: This article is educational and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Airbnb policies and host obligations may vary. Consult your allergist for personalized travel recommendations.
References
- AAAAI, Indoor Allergens: Tips to Remember. AAAAI
- Portnoy J, et al. Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(6):465-507.
- Wood RA, et al. The effect of cat removal on allergen content in household dust. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1989;83(4):730-734.
- CDC, Indoor Environmental Quality: Dampness and Mold. CDC
