August 2019 • AllergySA

Back to School with Asthma

As the summer comes to an end, preparing for school is the number one priority for parents around the globe. But, parents of children with asthma need to take extra measures to assure that their child’s health is top priority when at school. With proper preparations, you can reduce the impact asthma has on your child.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the passageways that allow air to enter and leave your lungs. Two types of asthma to be aware of during the school year are allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma is triggered by exposure to an allergen, such as mold, pollens or pet dander. While non-allergic asthma is brought on by factors such as stress, exercise, illness, extreme weather, irritants in the air and certain medications. Allergists are specially trained to help take control of your child’s asthma, identify what triggers their symptoms and build a plan to help avoid and manage those triggers. They will also prescribe controller and rescue medications to have at home and school and may recommend immunotherapy injections (allergy shots) to help manage allergic asthma flare ups.

Here are some things you can do to make sure your child has a safe and healthy school year:

Make an appointment with your child’s allergist to get up to date prescriptions and a new Asthma Action Plan for the school year.
Tour the school to identify potential asthma triggers such as: dust mites, mold, chalk dust, and animal dander.
Talk with your child’s teacher, school nurse and other school personnel, such as sports coaches, about your child’s condition and treatment plan.

If you are unsure if your child has asthma, here are some signs to look for:

a regular cough
struggling to catch your breath
a whistling/wheezing sound when you breathe

Your allergist can evaluate whether your child’s symptoms are a sign of asthma. By visiting acertified allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that works and educational information to help you manage your child’s asthma and help them feel better throughout the school year. Schedule an appointment now with one of AllergySA’s experienced physicians by calling 210-616-0882.

August 22, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, Spanish

Manejo de alergias alimentarias en la escuela

Es la temporada de regreso a la escuela y eso conlleva grandes responsabilidades para preparar a su estudiante para el año que viene. Para aquellos con alergias a los alimentos, prepararse para la temporada de otoño significa hacer un esfuerzo adicional para tener un año escolar seguro y saludable. Para hacer esto, saber exactamente a qué alimentos es alérgico su hijo es imprescindible y tener un plan de emergencia es una necesidad.

Antes de que comience el año escolar, es crucial tener una conversación individual con el maestro de su hijo (y la enfermera de la escuela si es posible) con respecto a todas las alergias a los alimentos y las reacciones que pueda tener su hijo. Los maestros pueden ayudar a prevenir una reacción alérgica a los alimentos en el aula siguiendo estos consejos:

Mantenga la comida fuera del aula. Si esto no es posible, todos los alimentos deben manipularse con precaución para garantizar seguridad.
Tenga una mesa de almuerzo libre de alergias para que los estudiantes con alergias alimentarias puedan sentirse cómodos mientras están en la misma habitación con diferentes tipos de alimentos.
Anime a todos los estudiantes y al personal a lavarse las manos antes y después de manipular o consumir cualquier tipo de alimento.

También es importante que el maestro de su hijo comprenda los síntomas dé una reacción alérgica a los alimentos. Revisar estos signos ayudará al maestro a reconocer cuándo ocurre una reacción y la gravedad.

Los síntomas leves a moderados de una alergia alimentaria pueden incluir uno o más de los siguientes:

Enrojecimiento de la piel, particularmente alrededor de la boca o los ojos.
Urticaria (áreas rojizas, hinchadas, con picazón alrededor de la boca)
Comezón en la boca o canal auditivo
Náuseas o vómitos
Diarrea
Dolor de estómago
Congestión nasal o secreción nasal.
Estornudos
Tos seca
Sabor extraño en la boca.

Los síntomas graves pueden incluir uno o más de los siguientes:

Hinchazón de los labios, lengua y / o garganta que bloquea la respiración.
Problemas para tragar
Falta de aliento
Caída de la presión arterial.
Pérdida de conciencia.
Dolor en el pecho
La piel azul
Sensación de muerte inminente

Tener un Plan de atención de emergencia para alergias alimentarias y anafilaxia en los archivos ayudará a los maestros a saber exactamente qué pasos tomar dependiendo de la gravedad de la reacción. Síntomas leves a moderados a menudo se tratan con antihistamínicos y se controla que la gravedad de los síntomas no aumente. Los síntomas graves pueden ser un signo de la afección potencialmente mortal conocida como anafilaxia. Este tipo de reacción requiere tratamiento inmediato con una inyección de epinefrina y atención médica urgente. Es importante que su hijo tenga un plan de alergia alimentaria y EpiPen disponible en la escuela, y que el maestro de su hijo sepa cómo usar uno en caso de que ocurra una reacción anafilactica.

La única forma de saber si su hijo es alérgico a los alimentos es visitar a un alergista certificado. El diagnóstico adecuado de una alergia alimentaria o intolerancia alimentaria es el primer paso para controlar esta afección. Programe una cita este verano con uno de los expertos médicos de AllergySA llamando al 210-616-0882 y permítanos ayudarlo a detectar cualquier alergia que su hijo pueda estar sufriendo.

August 13, 2019/by allergysa

Allergies, English, Health

Managing Food Allergies at School

It is back to school season and with that comes big responsibilities getting your student ready for the year ahead. For those with food allergies, preparing for the fall season means going the extra mile to have a safe and healthy school year. To do this, knowing exactly what foods your child is allergic to is a must and having an emergency plan is a necessity. Before the school year starts, it is crucial to have a one-on-one conversation with your child’s teacher (and school nurse if possible) regarding all food allergies and reactions your child may have. Teachers can help prevent a food allergy reaction in the classroom by following these tips:
− Keep food outside of the classroom. If this is not possible, all food should be handled with caution to assure safety.
− Have an allergy-free lunch table so that students with food allergies can feel comfortable while being in the same room with different types of foods.
− Encourage hand washing by all students and staff before and after handling or consuming any type of food.

It is also important for your child’s teacher to understand the symptoms of a food allergy reaction. Reviewing these signs will help the teacher recognize when a reaction occurs and the severity.

Mild to moderate symptoms of a food allergy may include one or more of the following:
− Redness of the skin, particularly around the mouth or eyes
− Hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas around the mouth)
− Itchy mouth or ear canal
− Nausea or vomiting
− Diarrhea
− Stomach pain
− Nasal congestion or a runny nose
− Sneezing
− Dry Cough
− Odd taste in mouth

Severe symptoms may include one or more of the following:
− Swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat that blocks breathing
− Trouble swallowing
− Shortness of breath
− Drop in blood pressure
− Loss of consciousness
− Chest pain
− Turning blue
− Sense of impending doom

Having a Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan on file will help school staff know exactly what steps to take depending on the severity of the reaction. Mild to moderate symptoms are often treated with antihistamines and monitoring that symptom severity is not increasing.
Severe symptoms may be a sign of the life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. This type of reaction requires immediate treatment with an epinephrine injection and urgent medical attention. It is important that your child has a food allergy plan and EpiPen available at school, and that your child’s teacher knows how to use one in the event anaphylaxis occurs.
The only way to know if your child has a food allergy is to visit a board-certified allergist. Proper diagnosis of a food allergy or food intolerance is the first step to managing this condition. Schedule an appointment this summer with one of AllergySA’s experienced medical staff by calling 210-616-0882 and allow us to assist you in detecting any allergies your child may be suffering from.

August 6, 2019/by allergysa

Back to School with Asthma

Manejo de alergias alimentarias en la escuela

Managing Food Allergies at School

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All clinics will be CLOSED Friday, 7/3/20 and Saturday, 7/4/20 in celebration of Independence Day.

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