Managing allergy symptoms

Specialties School

Published

Spring allergies are not even in full effect in my part of the Northeast yet we are starting to see the kids (some come in right off the bus in the morning) with allergy symptoms. Mostly itchy, red eyes.

Last May, I saw an average of 45 visits a day (many of the same kids/several times) with allergy symptoms. Almost all of them argued with me, "I don't have allergies" Ok, so what do you attribute your red, itchy eyes, clear runny nose and absence of fever to?

How do you treat? I allow the kids to rinse their eyes, hold an ice pack for 2-4 minutes and return to class. I encourage them to tell their parents to utilize OTC allergy relief. In many cases, I contact parents and have the same conversation.

When I see the same students multiple times a day, I do tend to get frustrated. I ask, "did your parents get the OTC allergy meds we talked about?" No... I reach out to the parent again.

I'm not sure what else is expected in terms of treatment. I encourage the students to get back to class and manage through the day with their mild allergy symptoms. Last year, I had some refuse to leave my office until I cured them.

1 Votes
Specializes in School nursing.

Email the teachers.

This is may email I send - I'm also in the Northeast ?

Spring allergy season is finally upon us! 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. (If you hear a student talk about a hardship in taking this medication at home, let me know. These medications way be able to prescribed at no cost by a student's regular doctor under certain insurance plans).
  • 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 eye drops, but ONLY for persistent itchy or reddened eyes (one time use).
  • 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 shows through your house.

Thank you for all you do in this home stretch of the school year!

22 Votes
12 minutes ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

Email the teachers.

This is may email I send - I'm also in the Northeast ?

Spring allergy season is finally upon us! 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. (If you hear a student talk about a hardship in taking this medication at home, let me know. These medications way be able to prescribed at no cost by a student's regular doctor under certain insurance plans).
  • 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 eye drops, but ONLY for persistent itchy or reddened eyes (one time use).
  • 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 shows through your house.

Thank you for all you do in this home stretch of the school year!

Fantastic idea! Thank you!

2 Votes

I was just thinking the same thing. Some of these kids come in and they're suffering pretty badly, yet nothing gets done at home. It's sad.

1 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

If the kid is persistent enough I do the same as with injuries from home...call the parent and ask then what THEY want to do about it.

6 Votes
Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Ugh I am in the same area and allergies are already KILLING me this year, and I usually do not have any! Plus this weather has been crazy!

But I also tell kids that just because they never had seasonal allergies before, doesn't mean they won't get them or have them this year, every year is different. I have a lot of kids with sore throats (no redness, just dry), so we are letting them have water bottles in class, this seems to help a bit. But I do like that email!

2 Votes
Specializes in School Nurse.

First, I never tell them they have allergies. I have no idea why it is so offensive to tell someone they may have seasonal allergies, plus I had a parent call me saying - you told my LD they have allergies (like how dare you).

I tell them - Your nose is sensitive to something, it could be pollen, dust, smoke, pet hair. First the nose tries to sneeze it out, when it can't sneeze it out it makes a bunch of boogers to run it out . . . sore throat . . . sinuses . . . cough . . . can take up to 10 days to get better.

Then they say - well I tried allergy med and it did not help

me - how many times did you take it, did you follow the directions?

They - well, no

me - awkward silence, drop mic

10 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

It's a wonder society was able to hold on from extinction until the advent of Zyrtec and Claritin.

10 Votes
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

I love the ones that say they are taking everything under the sun but it's not working like I'm going to send them home for a runny nose.

Suck it up, buttercup! (or wipe it up...)

2 Votes

I thought I'd just recap some of my favorite visits from today:

* Had a 4th grader come in 3 times with mild redness (more like, light pink) bilateral sclera. No swelling, no tears. C/o itching. Asks to do a tap water rinse and hold an ice pack for 5+ minutes each time. I called mom and asked that she start Claritan/Zyrtec and perhaps some Zaditor eye drops, or we're in for a long month of May. Mom was sweet and said she would start this regime tonight - and asked if she should come pick the LD up early :no:

* 2nd grader visits with a light pink rash, not raised, on her left lower arm. She had just come from outside, sitting in the grass, during a science class. I asked her to use and soap and water to wash the area and told her there is a lot of pollen, dust, etc in the air and on the ground right now and she might be having a reaction. Her response, "Yeah, no, I don't have ANY allergies"

* 3rd grader visits with moderately red bilateral sclera. Excessive tearing. C/o itchiness. States she was outside at a reward extra recess. I gave her an eye rinse, cold/moist compress for 5+ minutes. Upon leaving, ask her to let her parents know that she seems to be having a reaction to some seasonal allergens to which she responded, "I DO NOT HAVE ALLERGIES!"

I don't understand it. It's late April in New England. The trees are budding and have a light green, almost fluffy appearance. It was 72 degrees yesterday...I'm no physician, but it does appear that we have some seasonal allergy sufferers here :nailbiting:

3 Votes
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Cool pack for itchy eyes (one ice cube and water in my perfectly eye-sized 2x2 zip top bags); swg for sore throat, and call parent for anything else. Oh, I also tell the student and the teacher to encourage hydration. Because we're all dehydrated, even when the mountain cedar isn't spawning.

1 Votes

I live in North Texas where the allergy season is now January - December!!! If it looks like an allergy, talks like an allergy and you live in my neck of the woods - it is probably an allergy!!!!

But yep, just as many non-believers here too!

1 Votes
+ Add a Comment