Seasonal allergy saga........

[Riley RN]

This has probably come up before, but I have to ask: Does anyone have a good spiel for the kids who come in repeatedly in a day, who clearly are suffering from seasonal allergies BUT are on daily meds which are not providing enough relief. I'm talking kids whose parents have even called me to tell me how much their kids are suffering yet they have to go to school. They'll come into my office a few times a day and I'll try interventions but they keep coming back in. I'm not looking to send them home, I guess I'm looking for a suck it up buttercup response without actually saying that to the kids.....

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I try reaching to staff first to help with visit traffic. Here's my email to staff to start:

Hi staff and teacher!

Spring allergy season is finally upon us, believe it or not. This means several students (and staff) have begun experiencing symptoms such as itchy eyes, sore throat, sneezing, and nasal congestion.

A couple of tips and things of note:

• I do not stock over-the-counter allergy medication (i.e. Zyrtec, Claritin). Sorry! These medications are most effective if taken consistently, not a one-time dosing. (And they can help relieve some symptoms to be manageable, not always make them completely disappear.)
  
• Hand hygiene and hydration can help manage symptoms in school. Hand hygiene is especially important after coming from outside lunch/activities. A student whose symptoms flare up after being outside can get some relief by a trip to the bathroom to rinse face and hands.
  
• Consistent cleaning of surfaces can also help, especially when the windows are open as we welcome the warmer weather.
  
• I do stock saline eye drops for very persistent itchy or reddened eyes.
  

And a bonus tip for those of all that suffer seasonal allergies at home: make sure you remove your shoes as soon as you walk in your front door, reducing tracking of any allergens on the bottom of your shoes through your house.

Thank you for all you do for our students!

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

Are the kids on prescription or OTC meds? Have their parents tried new meds? Claritin does squat for me but Allergra works. Zyrtec is what works for my 6 year old so maybe they need to try something new.

I'm honest with the students and just tell them, "I'm sorry your feeling so badly. I've done all I can do here at school."

[WineRN]

I'm going to follow this thread too. I have a little speech about washing our hands and face whenever we come in from outside, and I have cool tissues soaked in 1/2 water and 1/2 saline that I keep in a container in my fridge that I pass out the the little ones with eye allergies that works wonders.

But then there is a handful that act like the world is ending because of their allergies and their parents don't know what else to do beside the daily meds.

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

A majority of my students are Hispanic, and these parents tend to think that every illness can be fixed with Tylenol. The students look at me like I'm crazy when I ask what else they are taking for their allergy symptoms. Or, they don't take their allergy meds consistently.

I always preach to the kids to blow their nose instead of sniffing, drink lots of water, get lots of rest, and avoid touching their face. If they feel bad for longer than 7-10 days or start running fever, they may need to see a doctor.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I'm going to follow this thread too. I have a little speech about washing our hands and face whenever we come in from outside, and I have cool tissues soaked in 1/2 water and 1/2 saline that I keep in a container in my fridge that I pass out the the little ones with eye allergies that works wonders.

Good call with the 1/2 and 1/2. i usually have them try rinsing in the sink but some of these kids need to have a "real treatment" in order to feel like they have been served. These are the same kids that get upset when i tell them to wash the cut to their hands with soap and water as opposed to using the bottle of alcohol sitting on the counter for the diabetic students to clean their injection sites. I mean if you'd really rather use the alcohol be my guest...

[Amethya]

I call their parents and they tell me it's allergies and I tell them half jokingly and serious, "Suck it up buttercup, is what mom is basically saying." I do explain why and I understand what they are going through, but they must persevere and hopefully this allergy season will be over soon. I tell them to drink plenty of water and to blow their noses when they can.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I have several absences this week I KNOW are allergies. The slightest discomfort means snowflake can not manage at school. I advise to wear a brimmed hat while outdoors, wash hands and face when you reenter the building and hydrate. No one listens and they continue to complain and want meds. Just like my hydration for headaches and cough, until they try it and it works. Sometimes people want to stay miserable so they can be miserable.

[NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I explain to the student what is actually happening, usually pointing out the pollen on the cars outside and lots of mention of snot and boogers. Then if the eyes are involved I will give a cotton ball that has been soaked in water and frozen. I warm it in my fingers for a minute and then let them hold it over their eyes. For the rest of the symptoms I explain that they might need to take an allergy medicine every day, and I don't keep those medicines, and nothing else in the world will help. Then I say "sorry you feel so horrible, I also have allergies and don't feel great, now go back to class and try to get through the day". For the ones who don't like that answer, and just stand there staring, I stare back until it gets uncomfortable and they leave.

If I see a kid a couple days in a row I call home and suggest an OTC med, if they are on one I suggest a different one. Like someone else said, Claritin used to work for me but now I've had to switch to zyrtec. Allegra works for my daughter. Everyone is different.

[grammy1]

These are the same kids that get upset when i tell them to wash the cut to their hands with soap and water as opposed to using the bottle of alcohol sitting on the counter for the diabetic students to clean their injection sites. I mean if you'd really rather use the alcohol be my guest...

Your diabetics actually clean their sites??? Lucky you. It's a battle here. I clean if I give it but when they give their own (which is 99% of the time) they never clean. Heck, one girl even goes through her clothes sometimes.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i only have one that actually still does injections - most of the time she remembers because i've told her it's ok to saturate the cotton ball with alcohol, swab her finger to lance it and use the same cotton to swab her arm as long as it's still damp. Occasionally she'll swab both at the same time. Hey - as long as she cleans both - it was a long road to get her where we are!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

i only have one that actually still does injections - most of the time she remembers because i've told her it's ok to saturate the cotton ball with alcohol, swab her finger to lance it and use the same cotton to swab her arm as long as it's still damp. Occasionally she'll swab both at the same time. Hey - as long as she cleans both - it was a long road to get her where we are!

I have one that swabs her finger prior to BG glucose checks! No other diabetic student I've worked with does this. She got it ingrained in her from her mom, who is a nurse :).