Are Your Allergies and Asthma Ready for College?

That acceptance letter from your dream school felt pretty great. But if attending college means leaving your hometown, you need to start thinking about how you’ll manage yourAllergies 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">allergyorAsthma 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">asthmasymptoms as you begin your journey of living away from home for the first time.

There are many arrangements to be made as you head off to college for the first time, and your allergies and asthma should not be put on the back burner. According to American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) it’s important to start managing your health issues well before you leave for school, because there are many details to nail down to ensure you stay well as you study.

Following are six tips from ACAAI to help you determine how best to manage allergy and asthma symptoms in a new environment.

1. Coordinate with your allergist– Meet with your allergist several weeks or months before school starts. If you’re going away, one of the things you’ll need to request is a referral to an allergist close to your school if it’s a long distance from where you currently live. Find out if your prescriptions need to be updated or changed. Other questions you’ll want to consider include whether you’ll be in a different climate and if that will affect your symptoms. ACAAI has anallergist locatorthat can help you in your search to find an allergist in your new town.
2. If you’re old enough to go away to college…– Whether away from home or not, you’re probably old enough to handle many of the details surrounding your healthcare. Work with your parents to determine how your health insurance works and who your providers might be. Your college could have a plan if you’re not already covered. Do you know where to go for urgent health care? Find out now so you’re not searching during an emergency.
3. Become your own advocate– It’s time for you to start taking on the role of primary point person for your own health issues, particularly if one or both of your parents have been handling those duties. You’ll need to oversee figuring out where to pick up prescriptions and order refills. You’ll also need to be responsible for letting people around you know if there are allergic triggers – food or otherwise – that you need to steer clear of. Discuss your allergies or asthma with roommates, friends, your resident advisor, and anyone else living nearby to let them know what you must avoid and how to help you if you do have an allergic reaction or asthma flare.
4. Dorm rooms are supposed to be dirty, right?– Not so much. Turns out that cleaning your room can help you avoid allergens like dust and mold. Use products like sheet covers and air filters to keep allergens away from your nose and eyes. Find out if your residence hall is near a major road as pollutants might affect your asthma. You might also ask if you’ll have direct access to replaceable filtration if your dorm room has forced air heat. Finally, find out if your dorm has air conditioning. Some schools will provide this to students with a medical need even if it is not standard. Dorm windows that are open can expose you to more pollen.
5. You can’t survive on pizza– Whether your dorm has first-rate food options or less-than-stellar choices, it’s important that, at minimum, the food is safe for you to eat. If you havefood allergies, notify school officials as they should have special accommodations for students with food allergies. Talk to food handlers about safety standards and ask about ingredients at every meal.
6. If you’re impaired, you’re not aware– Anything that impairs your judgment – be it drugs, alcohol, or lack of sleep — means you’ll be less aware of your risk for accidental exposure to foods that may causeanaphylaxis. You should also recognize there are risks associated with intimacy, and the potential for partners to transfer food allergens through saliva. Discussions surrounding drugs, alcohol and sexual activity can be difficult, but your allergist might be a place to start if you’re looking for resources on these topics.

在有执照的过敏专科医生可以帮助识别和treat your allergic symptoms and create an action plan so you can live the life you want. If you’re not sure whether you need an allergist as you head off to school, check outthis articleto help guide you.

About ACAAI
The 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, visitAAllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us onFacebook,Instagram,PinterestandTwitter