August 1, 2023
Work with your allergist to keep allergies and asthma under control at school
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (August 1, 2023)——这是一个炎热的夏天,有可能你的kids have spent hours in a pool or lake trying to beat the heat. The thought of returning to classrooms – and keeping allergies andAsthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People with asthma have acute episodes where the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. Sometimes episodes of asthma are triggered by allergens, although infection, exercise, cold air and other factors are also important triggers." rel="tooltip">asthmaat bay – may not be top of mind right now, but it is important to prepare.
“The start of a new school year is exciting for some, but for parents of children with allergies and asthma, their thoughts are probably on keeping their child free from triggers that can cause allergic reactions,” says allergist Kathleen May, MD, president of the American College ofAllergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food." rel="tooltip">Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “Allergies and asthma can significantly impact a child’s well-being and academic performance, but with proper preparation and management, they can thrive in the school environment.”
ACAAI provides the following four tips for getting your child with allergies or asthma off to a smart start this school year.
- What’s causing the sneezing and wheezing?– The first step in managing allergies and asthma is identifying the specific triggers that affect your child. Common triggers include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and certain food allergens. Work with your child’s allergist to make sure you have the proper treatments in place. A visit to the allergist before school starts will ensure your child has the proper dose of prescriptions for their weight and age. Identifying triggers allows parents and school staff to create a targeted management plan.
- Share your action plan– Your child’s targeted management plan, created with your child’s allergist and others in their healthcare team, should outline symptoms, medications, emergency contacts and steps to take in the event of flare-ups. Once completed, share the action plan with the school nurse, teachers and other staff to ensure everyone is prepared to respond effectively in case of an emergency. Try to meet with school staff before the school year begins to make sure the plan is in place on day one.
- Make lunchtime safe——根据你孩子的年龄,他们可能be skilled at identifying their food allergens and letting others know what they can and cannot eat if they have a food allergy. If you pack your child’s lunch or they pack their own, make sure they know they shouldn’t share food brought by their friends. If they eat food prepared in the cafeteria, let cafeteria staff know about your child’s food allergies to avoid cross-contamination during mealtimes. Encourage your school to label food options so your child can choose wisely. Make sure your child’sEpinephrine is a naturally occurring hormone, also called adrenaline. It is one of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland. Epinephrine increases the speed and force of heart beats and thereby the work that can be done by the heart. It dilates the airways to improve breathing and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine so that an increased flow of blood reaches the muscles and allows them to cope with the demands of exercise. Epinephrine has been produced synthetically as a drug since 1900. It remains the drug of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis." rel="tooltip">epinephrineauto injector (and a spare) are available if needed.
- Keep kids active at recess and during sports– Participating in physical activities is essential to well-being for all kids. If your child has asthma or reacts to outdoor allergens, make sure they’ve taken their allergy medicine before leaving for school, and are carrying any relief inhalers they may need. If pollen counts are high, or air quality is bad, consider seeking indoor opportunities for them to participate in. Alert coaches about your child’s asthma and let them know what needs to happen should a flare occur.
If your child’s allergy and asthma symptoms are holding them back in school, make an appointment with an allergist for proper testing. An allergist can help your child live the life they want. Use theACAAI allergist locatorto find an allergist in your area.
About ACAAI
ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administerImmunotherapy is a form of preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, perhaps by causing production of a particular "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future." rel="tooltip">immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visitAllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us onFacebook,Pinterest,Instagram, andTwitter.
Allergy,Allergy Symptoms,Allergy Treatment,Asthma,Asthma Symptoms,Food Allergies,Seasonal Allergies
