Back to School Tips for Children with Asthma or Allergies

They have a new backpack, their pencils are sharpened, and their textbooks are covered — but that’s not all your kid needs to have a successful school year, especially if they have asthma or allergies. 

Dr. Fiona Carroll, our expert pediatrician at the Child & Adolescent Health Center, knows that the snowball effect of an allergic reaction or asthma attack can disrupt your child’s learning experience or, worse, force them to be absent altogether. 

Instead of hoping your child stays healthy this school year, team up with us and be proactive. Here are just a few ways you can help your child sidestep a flare-up. 

Get everyone on board

On high-pollen days, ask the teachers and staff to shut windows and doors to prevent your child from exposure to allergens. Ask if tasks that stir up allergens, such as lawn mowing, can happen during nonschool hours.

Steer clear of chalk

If your child’s teachers still use chalk, your child with allergies and asthma should request to sit far away from the chalkboard. If they’re asked to solve a problem on the board, ensure they know to wash their hands immediately after handling the chalk and erasers.

Be the first line of defense

If your child has food allergies, pack their lunch and remind them not to share utensils, napkins, and plates with their peers. 

You may even need to request that your child sit at a table or in a classroom that prohibits common food allergy triggers, such as peanuts. Ask the staff about these and how your child can take advantage of them.

Bug out when bugs are out

If your child is allergic to bee stings or insects, teach them safe practices. Remind them to avoid disturbing the critters and stay away from the places they tend to gather. 

Your child shouldn’t wear brightly colored clothing on the playground, as this attracts bees and wasps. Inform the school nurse about your child’s allergy and provide them with epinephrine to be used if your child is stung.

Have a plan

In the case of severe allergic reactions, your child needs immediate attention, and the adults around them need to know the proper steps to take. 

If your child suffers from a life-threatening allergy that may cause anaphylaxis, make sure that teachers, the school nurse, administrators, and even substitute teachers know what to do in case your child has an emergency.

Know where their medications are

Many schools don’t allow children to carry medication with them, so you and your child should know where the medications that help with allergies are stored during school time. Most likely, the school nurse may store and administer them, or in some cases, they may be kept close at hand in your child’s classroom. 

Be sure to supply the school with everything your child might need, including antihistamines, epinephrine pens, or nasal sprays. Check the expiration dates and quantity so your child doesn’t run out. Also, know the procedure for administering the medications, and make them easily accessible if you need to give permission for them to be given to your child.

Give your child a bracelet

A medical ID bracelet can save your child’s life in the case of a severe allergic reaction. It quickly reminds school staff that your child may need epinephrine without them having to waste time reviewing their file.

Train your child

Empower your child with the tools to take charge of their own health. Talk to them about what might trigger their allergic symptoms and how to avoid those triggers. Kids should also know they can feel comfortable talking to an adult if they think they’ve come into contact with an allergen, feel symptoms of an allergic reaction coming on, or believe they need medicine.

Check the school’s policies

While schools generally don’t allow children to carry medications at school, some laws allow children to carry asthma inhalers. Find out your school’s policies so your child can self-administer an inhaler when they feel it’s necessary. Waiting for a nurse to give them their inhaler could miss their treatment window and cause a severe reaction.

Be proactive

Talk to your child and the school about a pretreatment plan before gym class or any after-school sports, especially if the practice occurs outdoors during high pollen counts or in cold weather. Taking medication before exposure to a trigger can prevent asthma and allergy flare-ups.

Looking for more information on allergy and asthma management and treatment? Don’t hesitate to call our friendly staff or request an appointment online at our Lathrup Village, Michigan, office.