For those with asthma, September and the fall season can be a dangerous time, especially for young children. According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, during the months of September and October, asthmatic attacks that require an ER visit or hospitalization spike. As if the age of COVID wasn’t enough, during the month of September, as the kids go back to school, hospitalizations for children with asthma increase dramatically. Some refer to this time as the “September asthma peak,” and it happens for a variety of reasons.
September Asthma Peak: Why Does It Happen?
• Increased exposure to viral infections
• Ragweed and mold allergens are high during this time of year
• Back to school means exposure to multiple allergens
• Irregular medication use during the summer months
• Stress and anxiety from the new school year/COVID
Be Proactive: Ways to Keep Your Child Healthy
Despite the risks associated with the September asthma peak, there are ways to keep your child healthy. Take these proactive steps to help ensure your child returns to school safely this year.
1. Take all medications as prescribed by your child’s doctor, year-round.
2. Before the school year begins, or at the beginning, schedule a checkup with your child’s doctor.
3. Refill all medications at the beginning of the school year.
4. Follow good hygienic practices, and encourage frequent handwashing.
5. If your child is sick, keep them home from school, especially now.
6. Identify environmental triggers and aim to avoid them. Talk to your child’s teacher if your child has severe reactions to pollen, grass, dust, etc.
7. Ensure your child has his or her needed medication at school. Give to the teacher or school nurse if the child is too young to regulate usage.
8. Staying hydrated and eating healthy meals is vital. Having balanced meals can help lower inflammation, keep the body healthy, and can help ward off sickness.
9. Educate your child, so they understand their condition and can learn how to manage it. Teach them how to use their medication correctly and how to monitor their symptoms.
10. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan in writing, get one. Everyone with asthma should have one, and it needs to be shared with your child’s teacher, nurse, and after school staff.
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