July 27, 2007

Back to School Allergies

i'm allergic to geography

Even though summer has just hit its apex, soon enough fall will return and with it, the back to school rush. As important as it may be to get the note books, pencils and new clothing, it is necessary that your child’s allergies and asthma be under control so that they can make the most of the upcoming school year. Often times, children with allergic diseases have a higher number of missed school days, which can cause them to fall behind their peers.

There are several reasons why school can aggravate allergies:

New allergens may be present in school that were not encountered at home. Trapped pollen, dust and other allergens may have accumulated over the summer, or the presence of different types or spores and pollens can cause new reactions or develop new allergies.
Even for those with animal allergies, in larger, commercial buildings the likelihood of encountering mouse or roach allergen is higher than coming in contact with the irritants at home. Pet dander from friends clothing can easily be transferred to desks, chairs, other children’s clothing. Once on clothes, the dander allergen can easily be moved from hands to the face or simply inhaled once airborne.

For younger children and toddlers who attend day care, exposure to allergens or chemicals have an increased risk of causing sensitivities, simply because of the children’s age. During infancy and early childhood, it is best to introduce new foods, environment changes, and chemicals with care. Changing detergents could result in rashes. Getting a new pet or providing too wide a variance of food could trigger allergies or asthma.
Though most kids would feel that they are allergic to school, for those children who are truly suffering with allergies or asthma, the prospect or returning to a school full of allergen is disheartening to say the least. Allergic diseases tend to run-down the immune system and make children more suspectible to the onslaught of cold, flue and other germs encountered in classrooms.

What can you do to help your children?

Provide a haven from allergens at home. Even if you designate a single room (such as a bedroom) to be an allergy-free zone, you can give your child’s reactive immune system a rest.
- Keep pets out of the room.
- Make sure to clean and dust regularly when your child is out of the house.
- Laundering bedding is important for those with dust mite allergies (see our dust mite removal tips).
- Purchase an air purifier that is chosen for your child’s particular allergy needs.
- Keep windows closed at all times if the child is allergic to pollens or spores.
Inform teachers of any suspected or known allergens. Keeping educators and childcare providers informed about chronic conditions like allergies or asthma will ultimately help your child.
- Most daycares and schools require parents to give teachers/caretakers a note card with detailed information about allergens, suspected allergens, medications, etc. Sometimes parents do not inform their school or daycare of their child’s needs because many of these institutions are reluctant to take children with severe allergies or asthma. Sometimes there is an additional fee for enrolling children with allergic diseases.
- Ask for a menu calendar so that you can determine if you may need to replace or supplement a meal that could contain allergy triggering ingredients.
- On days when your child would have to eat an alternative snack you have provided, perhaps offer to bring enough for the entire class. This will help your child to not feel left out or punished by eating a different type of food while his or her friends eat a snack provided by the school.
- Consult with teachers/caretakers about installing an air purifying system that targets allergies and asthma and provide overall better indoor air quality to students and staff alike.
If you haven't taken your child to see an allergy specialist, consider doing so. This will hlpe you to pinpoint and better understand what allergen cause your child's allergic reactions or asthma attacks. It is best to keep allergic conditions monitored by professional, because a slight sensitivity can develop into a severe health concern.