For children who struggle with severe allergies and asthma, a school classroom can be something of a minefield. In the school environment, allergens and asthma triggers are so prevalent that allergy and asthma flare ups have become two of the leading causes of school absences in American. If your child is one of the 7 million children that struggles with asthma or one of the 28 million children who are afflicted by allergies, here are a few steps you can take to help your children cope with classroom triggers.
Recognize Your Child’s Symptoms
Despite the large number of children that are impacted by allergies and asthma, they still remain underdiagnosed conditions. One of the main reasons these illnesses aren’t easily recognized is because they present with symptoms that are very similar to those of the common cold and influenza virus. However, there are two signs that your child is suffering from a chronic condition, and not a temporary illness. Cold and flu infections generally pass after two weeks. In addition, they have symptoms like fevers and body aches that don’t accompany allergy and asthma.
Know Your Child’s Triggers
If your child has allergies or asthma, it’s extremely important to know their triggers. If you don’t know what aggravates your child’s condition, you won’t be able to manage it effectively. For example, if your child’s allergies are triggered by mouse debris, their condition might be getting inflamed on a daily basis simply because one of their classmates has a dog that has transferred dander onto their owner’s clothing. Since everything from pet dander to mold can trigger an attack, it’s best to consult with a qualified professional if you believe your child might have either malady.
Talk to Your Child’s Teachers
It’s also important for your child’s teachers and coaches to know about your child’s condition and all of their various triggers. Make sure they are aware of the medications your child takes to control their condition and any rescue medicines they need, like an albuterol inhaler or injectable epinephrine. If one of your kids experiences an attack during class or on a field trip, it’s essential that their teacher has the appropriate information to handle the situation.
Get Treatment
The fact is, even by taking the preventative measures listed above, your child still has a high risk factor of having their allergies or asthma agitated by something in their classroom. The sheer number of possible triggers is simply too vast to protect against entirely. For instance, If your child is placed in a classroom without a class pet, they would be protected from pet dander. However, they could experience an attack when exposed to dust mites if their desk isn’t properly cleaned after a holiday break. Since incidents like this are so commonplace, parents need to take proactive steps to address their child’s health needs. Dr. Shukla has the knowledge and experience to diagnose your child’s condition and design an effective course of treatment based on their individual needs. Contact us to set up an appointment today.
