Your child’s asthma has been under reasonably good control all summer. Is it just your imagination, or does their asthma get worse as soon as they go back to school? Studies have shown that there is a 45% increase in asthma-related emergency visits each September among elementary school age children and about a 13% increase in children ages 12-17 years. Several factors may be contributing to this increase.

Being in relatively small enclosed rooms with groups of other children may cause an increase in the spread of viruses and bacteria. These may trigger colds and bronchitis, which trigger asthma attacks in susceptible children. Remind your child to wash their hands often or use antibacterial hand wipes or gel. Make sure your child gets their flu immunization when it becomes available, usually around the end of September or early October.

Many asthma and allergy triggers can be found in classrooms, including animals, chalk dust and dry marker fumes, hairspray and perfumes, cleaning sprays, and dust mite exposure from loose cushions, pillows, and fabric covered furniture. Talk to your child’s doctor before your child goes to school and identify possible triggers. Develop an asthma action plan with the help of your child’s doctor and have a meeting with your child’s teacher and/or the school nurse to help identify ways to prevent or limit exposure to these triggers as much as possible.

Exercising, particularly in cold weather, triggers bronchospasm in some asthmatics. Remind your child to wear a scarf when playing outside on cold days. Your child’s doctor may recommend that your child use their inhalers just prior to exercising or avoid exercising outside all together if the air quality is poor or the pollen count is high.

Food sensitivities can be dangerous for certain children. The most common food allergies include milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, chocolate, eggs, and tree nuts. If food allergies are a significant problem for your child, it may be safest to have your child bring their own lunch to school. Let the school nurse and the teacher know about these allergies, just in case special treats are served in the classroom and to monitor that children don’t share their lunches. Leave an Epi-pen at the school if your child’s doctor thinks it is necessary.

Early and frequent communication with your child, the pediatrician, and the school nurse and teacher are essential in preventing and treating asthma attacks early. This may be the best year ever for your child!