The holidays are over, and your child is going back to school.They have their pens, pencils, books, and bags. Their teachers are wonderful and they’re looking forward to getting back to their friends. Everything’s going wonderfully, but the afternoon bus brings them back home and they have itchy, watery eyes, and when you ask them how their day was, they say, “Okay.”
Allergies can impact your child’s in-school performance and they can come from anywhere: pollen, dust mites, molds, classroom pets, food. In addition to affecting your child’s day at school,it might also make sleep difficult and even hinder their social life.
If your child has hypersensitivity, you want to be prepared to make sure those allergies don’t hold your child back from being their best. Allergy & Asthma Care of Florida has a few signs and suggestions to be aware of:
1. FATIGUE AND DROWSINESS
If your child’s allergies have begun to keep them awake at night, it’s a good time to speak with an allergist. When left untreated, this can take a toll on your child’s focus and leave them unmotivated during the day. Our suggestions for fighting the fatigue are:
- Limit your child’s exposure to the allergens. Keep the windows at home closed and when your child comes home from school have them shower and change clothes right away.
- Make sure they’re taking their medicine. As some over-the-counter medications may increase drowsiness, we recommend you consult your specialist to determine what is best for your child.
- They might need allergy shots. The specialists at Allergy & Asthma Care of Florida are happy to help you decide if this is the best solution for your child.
2. HIVES AND ITCHING
Some foods, pollen, school pets, or insect bites and stings might set off an itchy rash or hives, which can become extremely distracting to their studies. Here are some suggestions:
- Identify and remove the allergens. This can be done by your specialist with a skin test. Once you know what they are, you can find the best way to prevent your child from coming in contact with them. Again, having them shower and change after school can help remove any allergens that have been building during the day.
- Treat the itch. You can apply calamine lotion, 1% hydrocortisone cream, or a mixture of baking soda and water. Cold baths help as well, and you could also use a cold compress or cold pack on those itchy areas.
- You may want to call Allergy & Asthma Care of Florida to find out if an antihistamine is needed or recommended for your child’s situation.
3. STUFFY NOSE, ITCHY EYES, AND SNEEZING
Pollen, dust mites, and mold are the trifecta of potential irritants in the classroom. These can often cause allergic rhinitis (also known as “hay fever.”) These can not only affect allergies but can make asthma worse. There may be immunotherapy treatments that could work for your child, but there are other solutions that you should talk to your specialist about. These can include:
- Antihistamines
- Nose sprays
- Decongestants
- Allergy shots
- Medicines for asthma symptoms
Every child is unique, so we recommend you contact us at (352) 622-1126 to set up an appointment.
4. AFTER LUNCH ISSUES
There are several ways to prevent a food-related allergic episode with your child. Here are some quick suggestions:
- Review your child’s allergies with your child, and make sure they know what is safe to eat and what isn’t.
- Remind your child never to accept food from anyone else in class and never to eat something they aren’t sure is safe. This could mean eating only foods you packed from home or have approved. A great source of allergy-free meals for a week can be found at https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/7-days-of-allergy-free-meals
- Teach your child to wash their hands before and after eating, and after playing outside.
- Make sure your child knows the signs of an allergic reaction: rashes, swelling face, trouble breathing, wheezing, and vomiting.
- Make sure your child knows to tell someone right away if they are not feeling well.
- If your child needs an epi-pen, make sure they always have two with them and know how to use them properly.
With proper observation and preparation, your child can have a happy and productive back-to-school time. If you have more questions, we are always happy to help! Call Allergy & Asthma Care of Florida at (352) 622-1126.