Back-to-School Allergy & Asthma Care

Get your child ready before the first bell

The start of a new school year is always exciting, and for families managing allergies or asthma it also means a little extra planning. Between classroom triggers, fall pollen and packed schedules, symptoms can flare up right when your child needs to focus. A bit of prep now can save you stressful mornings and missed school days later.

This guide walks you through what to handle before the first bell, from forms and action plans to medications and a quick chat with the school nurse. 

Your back-to-school allergy and asthma checklist

Here is what to take care of so nothing slips through the cracks. Work through it now and you will head into the first week feeling ready.

Forms and action plans to update

• Emergency Care Plan and an Allergy or Asthma Action Plan, so staff know exactly what to do during a reaction or flare. See how we manage childhood asthma.
• Individual Health Care Plan and 504 Plan paperwork, with updated accommodations for the classroom, lunch and PE.
• School medication forms, filled out and signed by your provider.

Medications to check now

• Check expiration dates on inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors like EpiPen, neffy nasal spray and antihistamines.
• Make sure you have enough for home, school and after-school activities. Kids grow, so dosages may need an update too.
• Request refills, renewals and any authorizations early so you are not waiting during the rush.

Talk with the school nurse and teachers

• Hand-deliver the paperwork, walk through your child’s plan and confirm who keeps the emergency medication.
• Update emergency contacts so every phone number is current.