It’s that time of year again, school is back in session, and for some kids with asthma and allergies, this can exacerbate their symptoms. Avoiding back to school germs can be hard enough, but when kids go back to school, they are faced with allergic triggers that they may not encounter at home. These allergic triggers in the classroom can cause some children to experience asthma and allergy symptoms. When kids are in the classroom, lunchroom, and on the playing field, they are often exposed to allergens that may cause their immune system to overreact. Luckily, with these helpful school allergy tips, you can be prepared this school year.
The back-to-school season for kids with allergies and asthma can be a terrible time of year. Asthma attacks and allergic symptoms can easily pull a child away from their classwork and school activities. To help keep your child focused this season, check out these helpful back-to-school allergy tips.
Identify the Triggers– Discuss your child’s potential allergy and asthma triggers with the school administrators and teacher(s). Especially if they are life-threatening. Pinpointing some of the possible triggers can help you come up with a defense strategy, lowering the chances of an allergic reaction or asthma attack.
Talk to Your Child– Since you cannot identify all possible triggers beforehand, talk to your child and ask them to inform you if something gives them itchy eyes, a runny nose, or other allergy symptoms. Maybe there’s a pet in the classroom, or something in the restroom is setting them off. Chalkdust and other strong odors in the school can also act as an irritant.
Inform the Teachers– When your child has asthma or allergies, it is crucial to let the teaching staff know. Including their gym teachers, since allergic reactions and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) are possible threats during physical education. Ensure that all of your child’s teachers know what to do in case of an allergic or asthma-related event.
Prepare Your Child/Teachers– Ensure that your child knows how to properly handle their medications, especially if they have a severe case of asthma or allergies. Emergencies can happen, so talk to your child about how to handle emergencies if they occur. If your child needs to have an auto-injected epinephrine pen available, be sure your child and the school staff know how to use it.
Create a Reference Card– Going one step further than just talking to your child’s teachers and the administrative staff is to make an allergy reference card. Give this card to the school nurse and anyone else who would need it. On this card include your child’s triggers and reactions, medication information, medication allergies (if any), the physicians’ contact information, your contact information, as well as your backup emergency-contact person’s information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children at school can be exposed to various allergy triggers such as pet dander from classroom animals, chalk dust, strong odors, and foods in the lunchroom. These triggers can cause immune system overreactions resulting in allergy or asthma symptoms.
Parents should communicate with school administrators and teachers to pinpoint potential allergy and asthma triggers their child may face. Discussing triggers allows the school to create a defense strategy to reduce allergic reactions or asthma attacks. Additionally, parents should encourage their child to report any symptoms or irritants they notice during the school day.
Informing teachers, including gym teachers, ensures they are aware of the child's health risks and know how to respond if an allergic reaction or asthma attack occurs. This knowledge is crucial for immediate and proper action during emergencies, especially during physical activities which can trigger symptoms.
Children should understand how to properly handle their medications, recognize their symptoms, and know what steps to take during an emergency. For those with severe cases, it is vital they know how to use devices like auto-injectable epinephrine pens and communicate effectively with school staff.
An allergy reference card should contain the child's specific allergy triggers and reactions, details of medications including allergies to medications, contact information for the child's physicians and parents, and emergency contact numbers. This card should be given to the school nurse and other relevant school personnel.
Exercise can trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), which is a narrowing of the airways during or after physical activity. This can exacerbate asthma symptoms or cause breathing difficulties, making it important for gym teachers and school staff to be aware of and prepared for such reactions.
Parents should work with school staff to identify potential allergens, inform all teachers about their child's condition, prepare their child and teachers on medication management, and provide emergency information via an allergy reference card. Encouraging the child to self-report symptoms also helps minimize exposure and reactions.