Asthma, Allergies, and Back to School

Welcome to the blog of Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care! Covenant Allergy & Asthma Care is the private practice of Dr. Susan P. Raschal treating adults and children who suffer from allergies, asthma and other disorders of the immune system.

Where has summer gone? Just like that, children are headed back to school and parents are secretly rejoicing. Many children, however, struggle with back-to-school anxiety, especially if they have allergies or asthma. There are several important things that you can do for your child to prevent them from fear of these health issues as they return to the classroom:

  1. Talk with the teacher and school nurse. Be certain that the teacher and nurse are aware of your child’s health issue. If it’s an allergy, write down the specific allergy and related allergens. If its asthma, write down the asthma triggers and what to do if your child begins having an asthmatic episode. It is important that the staff members at your child’s school are aware of these issues!

  2. Have a talk with your child. Reassure them that they will be well cared for if and when asthma or allergies strike. Be sure to let them know that they must communicate with a staff member and not be shy if they are feeling symptoms! Create a “plan” that will calm your child’s back-to-school fears and worries.

  3. Make an appointment with an allergist. By taking simple tests, your child may be able to avoid allergies with medication and/or allergy shots. It may be possible to avoid a serious allergic reaction altogether.

  4. Avoid triggers. Sit down with your child and discuss possible asthma or allergy triggers. If your child has a food allergy, pack his or her lunch and tell him or her to avoid things that aren’t included! By not sitting directly under the chalkboard, your child may be able to avoid dust, and discuss a plan for field trips and outdoor activities. You can never be too prepared!

At Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care, we want you and your child to have peace of mind when returning to the classroom! Take all of the necessary precautions to ensure a happy and healthy school year, and call Dr. Raschal for an appointment at (423) 468-3267. Have a wonderful week!