Students across the country have headed back to school. Astonishingly enough, one in three children has an allergy and one in eleven are suffering from asthma. Now schools have procedures for handling medication and to prevent emergency situations. But it is up to you to prepare your child and communicate with the school so they know how to handle any emergency situations that might arise.
Turning in the proper paperwork
Schools may be different in what forms that they require. So, contact your school for the correct documentation that should be filled out and signed by your doctor.
Know the proper procedures for your school
Beyond the paperwork that the school requires, talk to the school secretaries and the school nurse to discover what their emergency procedures are. Make sure they understand how to use the rescue inhaler or epinephrine injector. Find out where the medication needs to be stored, if not with your child. Don’t forget to check the expiration dates on the medication before you send it to school.
Talk to the Staff
Talk to your child’s teachers, coaches, cafeteria staff and bus drivers to help them understand your child’s allergies and asthma. These are the people that are in daily contact with your child. By communicating these health conditions should they arise, will help to keep your child safer. Make sure they know what to do in case of an allergy or asthma emergency.
Emergency Action Plans
The action plan is something that is developed by our Colorado ENT Allergy and Asthma doctors when your child is diagnosed with asthma or allergies. Give your school a copy of the allergy and asthma action plan to keep on hand. If there is a risk of a severe allergic reaction, a medical alert bracelet may help to inform others of the concern. This works well for staff that doesn’t know your child, like a substitute teacher.
Be Vigilant with Asthma Monitoring
Our allergy and asthma specialists encourage patients to be vigilant with asthma monitoring and to follow their action plans. At the beginning of the school year, this can be especially important. Allergens and germs have all come together and produced a common cold extravaganza. This can also be a busy time of the year which can make it easier to forget medications etc. By sticking to the action plan, it can help to prevent any emergencies.
Be Involved in the School
From volunteering in the classroom to joining PTA, it’s important to be involved in your child’s school. As you become familiar with the school community and your child’s surroundings, it will help you to feel safer and more confident when you send your child to school. This creates good relationships and can also help keep your child safe.
Being Prepared
In 2013, children with asthma aged 5-17 missed 13.8 million days of school per year. By being prepared, it will give you peace of mind and make it easier to send your child to school. It will help them stay in school and help keep them on track with their education.
Everything in the article is based on a child that has asthma under control. If you believe that asthma or allergies aren’t under control, schedule an appointment with our allergist or asthma specialists today.
Colorado ENT & Allergy is the regional leader in Colorado Springs for pediatric ear, nose, throat, and allergy care, providing a full range of the highest-quality, patient-centered services. Please Contact Us Today for a Consultation. Pediatric ENTs will be happy to answer all your questions.