How to Best Prepare Your Child with Asthma or Allergies for School
It’s that time of year again! Summer vacation is over and the kids are getting ready to go back to school. This Summer may have been met with some allergy challenges because it has been one of the hottest Summers on record. You may be worried about how your child with allergies and asthma may fare during the school year. Well, here are my five top tips to get your child with asthma or allergies ready for the school year.
1. Make Sure The School Is Prepared To Take Care Of Your Child In Case Of An Emergency.
This is important for all children but specifically for children with food allergies and asthma. Children with food allergies must always have an adult ready to administer an epinephrine injector, and children with asthma must have access to an albuterol inhaler. Older children and high school children may know how to administer their medication. However, depending on the school’s policy and what is allowed, they may be restricted to seeing the school nurse or having the teacher administer the medications needed. It is important to feel comfortable with the school’s plan of action in case your child’s condition is to worsen. Have you discussed the signs and symptoms of when your child may be having a food allergy reaction or asthma attack with their teachers or school nurse? Does the school provide this type of training to their staff? These are all important questions to find out. If not, find out if there are plans to do so. Remember, it only takes one person to start change.
2. Has Your Child Recently Been Evaluated By Their Allergist.
An updated visit to your child’s allergist is always important, even with the most stable conditions. If your child is following up with their Allergist as directed, then you probably don’t have anything to worry about. If it has been a year or more, it is important that you schedule a follow-up soon. Over a year, many things can change. Your child’s medical condition or medical needs may have changed. Your child is growing and weight changes may require a change in dosing. Also, you can find out if new medications or treatments may be available. In addition, refills on expired medications may be needed. Lastly, an updated action plan on how to treat your child’s condition may be needed.
3. Address How Medications Will Be Given
Going back to school may mean a new schedule for your child and possibly yourself. Most allergy and asthma medications are given no more than twice a day. However, it can be difficult to coordinate the administration of a mid-day or late afternoon medication. Working with the school and your Allergist to figure out the best plan to have your child’s medication delivered correctly and timely with little interference to their day can be achieved.
In addition, a teenage child who has been given the responsibility of taking their own medications may need to be checked on periodically. It’s not unusual for me to see a teenager with exacerbated symptoms, all because they forgot a few too many times to take their medication and an upset parent sitting by their side. If you find that your child’s symptoms seem to be worsening or if you are not refilling their meds as expected, you may want to check on if they are taking their medications.
4. Address how your child’s condition may be affected by extracurricular and sports activity
A child with asthma and/or allergies may need special attention when it comes to them playing a sport or participating in extracurricular activities. Will they play outside but they have a severe pollen allergy? Will their asthma symptoms start once they start running? Or do you think your child’s care may need to be optimized so they can do their best? These are all questions that may be playing in your head. Addressing your concerns with your allergist is the first step. There are many ways to keep your child’s symptoms under control, including pretreating with medications prior to activities.
Furthermore, Extracurricular activities such as pottery making, painting, cooking, horticulture, etc, may have your child contacting possible allergens that may need to be addressed. If your child finds themselves with hives or a rash after an activity, testing and avoidance may be warranted.
5. Discuss your child’s care with caregivers
Coordinating your child’s supervision and safety to and from school may cause for other people to care for your child. Whether it is a friend’s mom carpooling the children to school, tutors, babysitters, or nannies, it is important that all caregivers are aware of your child’s medical condition and have a plan of action. If you don’t have a plan of action, one may be obtained by your Allergist. Having one in place may be particularly important in small children who may have difficulty expressing what they are feeling. Discussing the plan of action with your child’s caregiver will also help to give you insight into how comfortable your child’s caretaker is in implementing the action plan. If your child’s caregiver is not comfortable in recognizing signs and symptoms of your child’s medical problem or not comfortable in administering emergent medication, then secondary measures may need to be put in place, such as pre-prepared foods in a child with food allergy to decrease the likelihood of an accidental exposure, or maybe even a new caregiver. Most importantly, they should know how to contact you in case of an emergency.
Signs of Spring Allergies
It all begins with an idea.
Spring is a beautiful time of the year with blooming flowers, chirping birds, and warm sunshine. Yet it also carries with it the anguish of Spring allergies for a lot of people. The immune system’s response to allergens like pollen, dust, or animal dander results in allergies. Tree pollen, which begins to circulate in the air as early as February and lasts through May, is typically the source of Spring allergies. Here are a few indicators that you might have spring allergies:
Sneezing: Spring allergies may be the cause of your frequent sneezing, especially when you’re outside.
Runny or stuffy nose: Allergic reactions can clog your nose, which makes breathing challenging.
Watery or itchy eyes: Allergies can make your eyes red, itchy, and uncomfortable.
Allergens can aggravate your throat, making it feel scratchy or painful.
Lethargic and fatigued feelings might be brought on by allergies.
It’s crucial to contact a doctor or allergist if you suffer any of these symptoms in the Springtime. They can carry out tests to identify the precise allergens causing your problems and create a plan of therapy to help you feel better. By staying inside during times of high pollen counts, keeping windows closed, and using an air purifier, you can try to avoid allergies in the interim. As always, we are here for you at ILERA Allergy and Asthma Center. If you think you have Spring allergies, book your appointment today!
The Most Common Seasonal Allergens and How to Avoid Them
It all begins with an idea.
For many people, allergies can be a hassle, especially in the Spring and Summer. When the weather begins to warm up, pollen counts rise, which can cause a lot of discomfort and trouble for those who have seasonal allergies. We’ll look at the most typical seasonal allergies in this blog post, along with some tips for avoiding them.
Tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed are the three most prevalent seasonal allergens. While grass pollen is typically released in the Summer, tree pollen is typically released in the Spring. Ragweed is discharged throughout the late Summer and early Fall, and those who have seasonal allergies may experience issues.
There are various things you may do to keep away from these allergens. First, close all windows and doors to keep pollen out of your house. Additionally, make an effort to stay inside when pollen counts are at their highest, which are often in the morning and late in the afternoon. Additionally, you can prevent indoor allergens by washing your bedding frequently, removing your shoes before entering your house, and vacuuming frequently.
Avoiding outdoor activities while pollen counts are at their highest is another method to lessen exposure to seasonal allergies. Wear a mask and keep your mouth and nose covered if you must go outside. Before going outside, you might also think about taking an over-the-counter antihistamine or decongestant to help with symptoms.
Last but not least, it’s critical to take action to lower your total exposure to allergens. This can involve the use of air purifiers, the use of hypoallergenic goods like beds, and the avoidance of dogs with a lot of shedding hair. It is time to see an allergist when preventative treatments and over-the-counter drugs are ineffective. An allergist can assist you in determining what you are allergic to and may even recommend immunotherapy, the most effective natural remedy for allergies.
In conclusion, seasonal allergies can be a serious issue for a lot of people, but you can take steps to lessen your exposure to allergens and your symptoms. You can lessen your allergy symptoms and enjoy the Spring and Summer more by taking the above-mentioned steps.