Allergy Tips for Parents

If your child has allergies or asthma, here are some tips that can help:

• • Tour the school to identify potential asthma/allergy triggers in the classrooms. Ask staff about school policies regarding foods brought into the classroom and animals in school.
  • Since children are not always able to express in words when their allergies are acting up, monitor traits such as irritability, temper tantrums or decreased ability to concentrate in school.
  • Inform school staff of the child’s allergies.
  • Seek medical advice rather than treat your child with over-the-counter medications. Some over-the-counter allergy medications are impairing and can affect your child’s school performance.
  • Food-allergic children who have been prescribed epinephrine should provide the school with an information sheet regarding the specific allergy. Staff should be taught how to administer an epinephrine shot if needed.
  • Parents of food-allergic children should work with the school to establish a no-food trading policy.
  • Find out if your children’s school allows them to keep inhaled medications in their possession. Asthma students should be permitted to have inhaled medications in their possession when they are prescribed by a physician.
  • If your child has exercise-induced asthma, make sure that coaches and gym teachers are familiar with your child’s condition and doctor’s recommendations regarding pretreatment and acute or emergency asthma treatment. Include phone numbers to call with questions or in case of an emergency.
  • Talk to your child about knowing his or her own limits. Children need to know that it is important to respond to their asthma symptoms immediately and not ignore an asthma attack.

For more information go to www.aaaai.org.