Back to School with Asthma
As the summer comes to an end, preparing for school is the number one priority for parents
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.
