Nasal Allergies at School

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Pre-school, elementary and high school students

Nasal allergy symptoms—congestion, sneezing, and itchy, or runny nose—can be bothersome for children, distracting them from their schoolwork. Nasal allergies can even keep your child out of school altogether. On a typical school day, more than 10,000 American children are absent due to seasonal allergies for an annual total of 2 million lost school days. The following tips can help keep nasal allergy symptoms under control during the school day.

• Get a head start on the school year. Make an appointment with your child's doctor or allergist before the school year begins, to review a treatment plan and make any necessary adjustments.
• Check out your child's school. If your child has nasal allergies, talk to the teacher about any animals, plants or other items in the classroom, cockroaches in unkempt lockers or closets, and dust mites found in rugs—all of which may carry allergens. Teach older children to be alert to these things themselves.
• Make teachers and other school personnel aware of your child's condition. Discuss medication schedules and dosages, and ask them to alert you if they notice any symptoms. If you hear that your child seems sleepy in class, you may want to ask your doctor about prescription medications that don't cause drowsiness.
• Pay close attention. Some children have trouble understanding or expressing their symptoms. They rely on a watchful parent to know when it's time for help, so be on the lookout for obvious and hidden evidence of nasal allergy symptoms in your child.

College students and others living away from home

When your child leaves home for school or college, you have less control over the allergens that may surround them in their new environment, or how well they're taking care of their symptoms. But that doesn't mean you can't continue to be a good influence. Help your child keep control over his or her nasal allergy situation, with suggestions about everything from reducing exposure to keeping up with treatment.

Help your child focus on studies and not on nasal allergies. Here are some ideas that may help:

• Visit the campus clinic. Have your child visit the on-campus student health clinic, and find out what services are offered for students with nasal allergies.
• Manage medication. Encourage your child to stay on top of his or her medication schedule. If the medication is causing drowsiness, have them ask a doctor about medications that may not, such as NASONEX®.
• Cover the bed. Send your child off to school with allergen-proof coverings for their pillows and mattress to keep dust mites under control. Encourage them to wash bedding regularly and at high temperature.
• Keep it clean and mold-free. Remind them to keep things clean and dust-free, in their room, and in the bathroom. If shared areas are dirty or moldy, suggest that they notify their dorm advisor.
• Don't use the fan. Avoid window fans, which can draw pollens and molds into the room, or circulate those that are already present.
• Go to the gym. Remind your child that if pollen is a problem, it's best to exercise indoors. (If they must exercise outdoors, tell them to do so on wind-free or low-pollen days).
• Advise the advisor. Suggest your child talk with the dormitory advisor about his or her condition if he or she is having a problem within the dorm or with a messy roommate.