ST. JOHNS MAGAZINE
  • Home
    • Home & Style blog
    • Beauty, Fashion & Home
    • Real Estate >
      • Real Estate St. Johns BLOG
      • Neighborhoods of Northern St. Johns
      • New Construction
      • Featured Communities >
        • Focus on Trailmark
        • Focus on Shearwater
        • Focus on Nocatee
        • Age Restricted Communities
    • Travel
    • Back to school
    • Books We Love
  • Lifestyle
    • People
    • Wellness >
      • BLOG Health & Wellness Providers BLOG
    • Calendar Blog
    • Trivia Nights
    • Parks in St. Johns
    • Golf Courses
    • Autism Resources >
      • SJM Autism Blog
    • Summer Camp
    • Beaches
    • Farmer's Markets
  • Dining
    • Restaurant Guide
    • My Wandering Fork
    • Local Chefs Series
  • Digital
  • About
    • Schedule a phone call
    • Demographics & Distribution
    • Past Issues
    • Testimonials
    • Graphic Design Services
  • Best of SJ
  • FAQ

Keeping Allergy & Asthma Out of the Classroom

8/30/2017

5 Comments

 
​by Dr.  Raquel Watkins, Allergist
Watkins Allergy & Asthma Clinic
Picture
Picture
        ​The common cold and chickenpox aren’t the only ailments parents should worry about this back-to-school season. Allergy and asthma are the most chronic illnesses in children, and are a leading cause of missed school days in the United States.  Asthma accounts for 10.5 million missed school days annually.  Symptoms of these conditions can also interfere with nightly sleep, concentration in the classroom and cause learning disruptions.
          According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), 28 million American children have allergies and 7.1 million suffer from asthma. There can often be many more allergy and asthma triggers in the classroom than in the home environment, causing children’s immune systems to over respond.

​         With schools commonly known as being a petri dish of germs and viruses that get passed around from child to child, parents shouldn’t just chalk up breathing difficulties and runny noses to yet another cold. Both can be signs of something more serious, such as allergies and asthma.
          To help parents understand if their child is at risk for missing school days due to allergy and asthma, Dr. Raquel Watkins, Jacksonville’s board certified allergist and the ACAAI offer the following tips.

Know what Triggers Symptoms – There are a number of inhalants in schools that can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, such as the classroom pet, pollen and dust that has settled in the school which can contain mouse allergens. Peers with a pet at home can also trigger an allergic reaction in your little one, since these allergens can be transferred to school via clothing and backpacks. If a child says they are coughing, having difficulty breathing, have a rash, runny nose, or are sneezing, these could all be signs they are allergic to something in school. 

Know the Difference – It is easy to mistake a cough and a runny nose as signs of a common cold or respiratory infection. If symptoms are persistent, lasting more than two weeks, it’s likely due to allergies. Colds evolve, usually starting with a stuffy nose, throat irritation and low grade fever. Next comes the sneezing and a runny nose, with thickening mucus that often turns yellow or green.  Trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightening and often a cough that won’t stop are signs of asthma.
Find Relief – Parents should make an appointment with a  board- certified allergist to have their child tested, diagnosed and treated for allergies and asthma. An allergist can also help a child understand what is causing their symptoms and how to avoid triggers. For children with particularly bothersome allergies, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy (allergy shots) which can modify and prevent allergy development. Patients under the care of an allergist also have a 77 percent reduction in lost time from school.
​
Inform, Educate and Carry – A child’s school, teachers and coaches should all be informed of any allergy and asthma conditions and have medications available. But the education shouldn’t stop there. Children should understand what triggers their symptoms and any warning signs to watch out for. If they are prescribed life-saving treatments, such as a rescue inhaler and epinephrine, they should know how to use their medication. Many schools allow students to carry medication, making communication between parents and the school the key to a healthier child.

Dr.  Raquel Watkins is a Board-Certified Allergist who treats infants, children and adults with asthma and allergies to pollen, pets, and insects as well as skin allergies.   Her office is centrally located in Bartram  Office Park, 13241 Bartram Park Blvd, Suite 2601 Jacksonville Fl 32258 http://www.watkinsclinic.com/

5 Comments
Riya Singh link
12/11/2017 10:15:43 pm

Hey Raquel
This is really one of those must read article for every parents. While cold and chickenpox catch attention from everyone, Asthma doesn't even crosses mind although being equally or sometimes even more dangerous.
Riya

Reply
best essay writing service link
12/24/2017 11:14:09 am

Classroom has been managed and organized for the wholesome conditions for the people. Now it has been structured for the discipline for the individuals. Students have been following all the rules of the classes

Reply
Kane link
12/28/2017 11:27:46 pm

Knowing trigger symptoms will help us a lot in prevent allergies and asthma. Use HEPA filter devices like vacuums and air purifier to keep allergens away.

Reply
Sam Li link
11/29/2018 01:01:34 pm

I appreciate what you said about persistent symptoms, like coughing, being due to allergies. Allergy specialists can offer amazing insights into proper treatment for all kinds of allergies. If I were to suffer from a debilitating allergy, I would look for the best specialist available in my community to help me out.

Reply
Bob link
12/29/2020 05:15:26 pm

I like your asthma tips. I need to get allergy tested. I think it is causing respiratory problems.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    St. Johns Magazine is your fun & friendly resource for the growing communities of northern St. Johns

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    December 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    December 2018
    October 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Celebrate Pilates
    Fat Loss Tips
    Hearing Loss & Demetiia
    Helping Your Children Through The Holidays After A Divorce
    IET Therapy
    Local Nutritionist St. Augustine
    Nutrition For Back To School

    RSS Feed

Picture

©2012-2022 All Rights Reserved 
St. Johns Magazine LLC

About 


 
Welcome to St. Johns Magazine, the premier lifestyle media company in St. Johns Florida and the heart of Northeast Florida.

St. Johns Magazine is a fun and friendly resource guide connecting the growing communities of northern St. Johns. We focus on the positive aspects of life with entertaining features and articles promoting local businesses, people, places and events!




Contact 

Contact Us
About Us
Demographics
debbie@stjohnsmag.com

904-687-8538
St. Johns Magazine publishes twelve times a year. stjohnsmag.com launched in 2012. Like our page on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram. The magazine is printed in Jacksonville, Florida, USA and distributed free of charge to SELECT homes in northern St. Johns.


Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from sergei.gussev
  • Home
    • Home & Style blog
    • Beauty, Fashion & Home
    • Real Estate >
      • Real Estate St. Johns BLOG
      • Neighborhoods of Northern St. Johns
      • New Construction
      • Featured Communities >
        • Focus on Trailmark
        • Focus on Shearwater
        • Focus on Nocatee
        • Age Restricted Communities
    • Travel
    • Back to school
    • Books We Love
  • Lifestyle
    • People
    • Wellness >
      • BLOG Health & Wellness Providers BLOG
    • Calendar Blog
    • Trivia Nights
    • Parks in St. Johns
    • Golf Courses
    • Autism Resources >
      • SJM Autism Blog
    • Summer Camp
    • Beaches
    • Farmer's Markets
  • Dining
    • Restaurant Guide
    • My Wandering Fork
    • Local Chefs Series
  • Digital
  • About
    • Schedule a phone call
    • Demographics & Distribution
    • Past Issues
    • Testimonials
    • Graphic Design Services
  • Best of SJ
  • FAQ