allergies

Farawyn · May 5, 2015

I was going to say you must be from the North East. Yup.

BOOM. Everything is blooming and my kids are stuffing my office. Dizzy, eyes, throat...take your Claritin, kids!

No, I was going to try to look tomorrow, too crazy today!

SnowyJ, RN · May 5, 2015

It's a nightmare. The kids are miserable. If anyone has a good link to share, please do!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 6, 2015

I'm in the Northeast, so yes, allergies galore! I only stock Benadryl in my office for emergencies and has been educating the older kids about the importance of taking your non-drowsy allergy medication every single day, even when you don't "feel" symptomatic. I talk hand hygiene, hand hygiene. The #1 complaint is itchy, red eyes (which can raise pink eye bells, luckily the staff has learned). I have saline eye drops that I will try to help rinse eyes of irritants and again stress hand hygiene.

Going to try some more research myself, so please share any other tips!

(I type this as my own eyes are itching even after taking my Allegra religiously since March...)

soon2bnycmhnp · May 6, 2015

I'm in NY, NYC ...my school does not carry any meds at all unless it is prescribed by the doctor and approved by DOH... what we do when kids come to us is have the kids wash face/ cold compress and provide education to them as well as parents. We also ask parents to please make sure kids take their meds before they come to school. We provide education/ teaching on pollen counts and other stuffs ...such as leave shoes at door, take a shower when you get home, wash hair if it possible...change pillowcases every night etc etc... One of the nurse did make some handouts but just looking to see what else you guys are doing

Flare, ASN, BSN · May 6, 2015

i have standing orders for benadryl and epi but that's only for severe and sudden reactions - not for seasonal sniffles. I just wish that the teachers would stop sending them down in droves to hear my boilerplate speech - "no, i can't give you anything, yes, the pollen count is high. Go rinse your eyes if they are that itchy, drink plenty of fluids, wash your hands, don't touch your face or rub your eyes." It gets infuriating when i see the same kids over and over again. I think they just like hearing my voice.

Farawyn · May 6, 2015

i have standing orders for benadryl and epi but that's only for severe and sudden reactions - not for seasonal sniffles. I just wish that the teachers would stop sending them down in droves to hear my boilerplate speech - "no, i can't give you anything, yes, the pollen count is high. Go rinse your eyes if they are that itchy, drink plenty of fluids, wash your hands, don't touch your face or rub your eyes." It gets infuriating when i see the same kids over and over again. I think they just like hearing my voice.

I imagine it's melodious!