The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) outlines essential steps for families and school staff to navigate seasonal allergy triggers and respiratory health.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Proactive Medical Planning: Families should schedule allergist appointments before the summer ends to adjust treatment plans and update expired medications.
- Respiratory Virus Mitigation: Maintaining good hygiene and staying current on vaccinations are essential because viral infections can significantly worsen pediatric asthma symptoms.
- Emergency Preparedness Education: Parents must ensure that school staff, including teachers and bus drivers, understand a child’s triggers and know the location of rescue medications.
Being ready for the school year means more than gathering clothes and supplies – it also means adequately preparing your child and the school staff to deal with your child’s allergies and asthma. It is important to take the necessary steps to help your child learn and have fun in a safe environment.
“As the new school year approaches, seasons are changing, and you and your child need to be well prepared for the academic year” says allergist Cherie Zachary, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). “By taking some simple steps, you and your family can get ahead of the seasonal challenges and enjoy all the fun that fall – and back-to-school time – bring.”
Read these five tips from the ACAAI on how to prepare for going back to school:
1. Update Your Child’s Allergy and Asthma Action Plan
Allergist appointments fill up fast, so make sure to schedule a back-to-school appointment with your allergist before summer ends. Carve out time to review medications and treatment plans with your doctor and make any necessary adjustments. Make sure to check expiration dates of medications so you can get them updated at your appointment. Following the visit, make sure to share any updates with the school nurse and your child’s teachers.
2. Protect your child from seasonal viruses
Viruses spread very quickly, especially in the school environment. Before your child heads back to school, make sure to go over some healthy practices to prevent contracting infections. Respiratory viruses specifically can make asthma symptoms more serious. In addition to good hygiene habits, make sure everyone in the family is up to date on vaccines , and keep your child home from school if they are sick.
3. Prepare the School Team
Before sending your child off to school, take a few steps to help ensure a safe environment. In addition to speaking with the school nurse, it is also important to contact the people your child will be interacting with daily. This could include teachers, coaches, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and after school programs. To respond appropriately, they need to be aware of your child’s allergies and asthma and know how to respond in an emergency. Make sure they know your child’s triggers, symptoms, emergency procedures and where medications are kept – including rescue inhalers and epinephrine.
4. Know Your Child’s Fall Triggers
If your child has seasonal allergies, it is important to review their fall triggers. Possible triggers during the fall season could include ragweed pollen, mold from fallen leaves, dust mites in classrooms, exercise-induced asthma during sports, and classroom pets. Speak with your child and the school staff about these allergies and what precautions might be taken to ease your child’s symptoms.
5. Teach Kids to Speak Up about Food Allergies
For children with food allergies, it is important to teach them to speak up for themselves. Have a conversation with them about recognizing their symptoms and what actions to take. Advise them to tell their friends about their allergies, to never share food, to read food labels thoroughly and to find and tell an adult immediately in the event of an emergency. By teaching them to talk about their allergies and advocate for themselves, they become better equipped to manage their allergies and the related situations that can arise.
