Travelling with arthritis

Going on holiday?

Planning a holiday may seem a daunting prospect when you have arthritis, but it’s all about the preparation and planning ahead. There are ways in which you can make your holiday more enjoyable and memorable for all the right reasons.

Plan your trip

Doing a little bit of research before your holiday and planning ahead can make your trip a whole lot smoother. For example, you might want to:

• Book travel insurance.
• Check how accessible your accommodation is. For example, if you struggle with stairs, you might want to book a room on the ground floor or near the lift. If you use a wheelchair or a mobility aid, check there are ramps so you can get around easily.
• Find out the name of your nearest chemist, doctor’s surgery or hospital at your destination, in case you need it.
• Talk to your healthcare team beforehand. They can chat to you about vaccinations, how much medication to bring, and offer you any other advice you need.

Flying with arthritis

If you're planning to travel by plane, choose direct flights or routes with minimal transfers to reduce the amount of walking you'll need to do and standing time. 

Call your airline about your condition before you book your trip. They may be able to reserve you a seat with more leg room and can organise a wheelchair to take you through customs should you need one. This can be helpful as travelling can be exhausting especially if there are delays. Find out more about airline assistance. 

There are rainbow lanyard schemes available at airports for you to wear to indicate that you might need extra support. These can be collected at the special assistance desks. Some airports, such as Manchester airport, also offer dedicated quieter spaces for special assistance guests.

Travelling by train

Train companies in the UK also offer ‘passenger assist’, which is available 24 hours a day and pre-bookable. Some companies also offer lanyards similar to airports, for example, London North Eastern Railway (LNER). Transport for London also have their ‘please offer me a seat’ badge for travellers on the Underground, buses, river and Overground services.

Travelling by car

For long car journeys, plan plenty of breaks on your route and be sure to stretch when you get out of the car to prevent pain and stiffness. Some stretches you might find helpful include calf raises, shoulder lifts. Extra padding or support such as pillows or cushions will help you stay comfortable on your road trip whether you're driving or a passenger. Make sure you have easy access to your pain relief to help you on your journey.

What to pack

No matter where you're travelling to, be sure to pack some comfortable clothes and clothes that are easy to put on and take off if your arthritis symptoms worsen while you're away. You'll probably walk more than you would usually so comfortable shoes are important too.

If you need extra support when walking, you could bring a travel walking stick that folds up and you can carry in your hand luggage.

Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat are important too as arthritis medication can make your skin sensitive to the effects of the sun. If you're heading to a colder climate, be sure to pack warm layers, socks and gloves. You might consider bringing hand and foot warmers to keep out the chill.

Choose lightweight luggage with wheels that is easy to you to manage. 

Medication

If you need to take arthritis medication with you, make sure you carry it in your hand luggage and bring a doctor’s letter that you can present to officials if needs be at customs. This is especially important if you need to use syringes.

If you're on immunosuppressants, our handy Immunosuppressive Therapies Alert Card provides space to record details of the treatment you're receiving should you need to see a doctor while you're away. It folds so as to fit in your wallet or purse so it's handy to carry with you.

Order an Immunosuppressive Therapies Alert Card for free

You might also bring painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication in case you need it while you're away.

Stay active and hydrated

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling by plane, train or car, chances are you’ll be sitting for a long time when you’re travelling. Everyone’s muscles and joints can feel stiffer when they’re sat still for a period of time, and some people will tolerate journeys better than others.

Try to change position as often as possible. For example, swap from sitting to standing, and move your joints around when practical.

Add in some movement when you can to minimise pain and stiffness. Some simple stretches will help or get up and walk around every 30 minutes.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, avoid salty snacks and choose healthy, balanced meals.

Travelling can be tiring at the best of times, but when you’re dealing with fatigue, it can be even tougher. It varies from person to person but, if you can, try to get some sleep. A neck support or pillow will help.

Try these exercises for healthy joints

Adapting to the climate

Whether you prefer to soak up the sun or explore a chillier climate, it’s worth keeping the weather in mind. That’s because many people with arthritis say that their pain and stiffness can flare up, depending on the temperature and humidity.

There may be times when you have to adjust your itinerary or stay inside to keep cool or warm depending on the weather.

If you're trying new foods or different cuisine, some foods or drink can affect arthritis medication. 

Staying safe in the sun

Some arthritis medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

• Spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm.
• Cover up with lightweight clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses. 
• Use a sunscreen with at least SPF30 and four or five UVA stars: apply it regularly and generously on all exposed areas of your skin. Read more about keeping safe in the sun.

People with psoriatic arthritis and lupus, as well as anyone on certain drugs, like methotrexate, could have skin that’s extra sensitive to the sun, sometimes called photosensitivity. 

If you have lupus, too much ultraviolet light from sunlight can cause a red rash across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, often known as the butterfly rash. It can also sometimes cause problems with internal organs to flare up. Bear this in mind when choosing a holiday destination and discuss with your nurse specialist or dermatologist if in doubt.

Keep out of the midday sun and wear a hat. Keep your skin covered or use sun cream of factor 50 or greater – which is available on prescription for people with lupus. You can also buy high-factor sun creams that include a tint and can be used as foundation make-up. Be careful when sitting under sun umbrellas on a paved area as the sunlight will be reflected onto your face.

Pace yourself

You'll probably be more active than usual while you're on holiday, whether that's sightseeing, exploring new destinations or taking part in sports or hobbies.

Plan your activities ahead of time. Get as much information as you can about terrain, distances, location of amenities and help available before leaving.

It's temping to cram in as much as possible to make the most of your break but it's important to pace yourself too. You might want to have a busy day followed by an easier one. Rest when you need to, take time out if you're feeling fatigued and find time to relax. After all, that's what holidays are for.