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.
Oh my gosh yes it’s started here too. They all feel awful but so do I. I will sometimes rinse eyes with saline and then let them hold a cold pack for a few min after being outside which seems to help a lot. I also encourage washing hands and not touching face. I can tell when they’ve been rubbing their eyes because they will be red all around it so I’m stern with them about that. I also tell the kids and teachers I don’t want to see them again if I see them more than once and have deemed them ok to stay at school. Some kids will just drive you nuts. Obviously if they look awful I’ll call their parents but there’s a few that are just whiny.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
18 hours ago, OldDude said:
It's a wonder society was able to hold on from extinction until the advent of Zyrtec and Claritin.
Old fashioned allergy TX:
My family doctor circa late 50's, early 60;s provided most medications to us. As child, he gave me a small bottle with blue allergy syrup -1tsp 2x day, later as teen given "#19Y" pills 1x daily dispensed in small white envelope (all pills given out this way --only had a number on envelope flap with instruction # tablets + frequency written on front).
Spring blossoms out in Philly area ... Magnolia tree flowers lasted 7 days till rainstorm last week; My navy blue car this week is yellow as covered in pollen.
3rd round of allergy desensitization working--- getting my shot later today.
Half of my visits this week have been accompanied by a note that says "has pink eye". Thank goodness for the rain today, it seems to have cured all the "pink eye" that's been going around.
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!
Welp, the PE teacher, who is holding an outdoor class today, just sent me THREE CHILDREN AT ONCE: c/o HA, sore throat and "feeling out of breath," respectively. Looks like I will be sending this letter out today!
I had a teacher who was so tired of sending me kids that she kept a cooler of ketchup packets in a cooler in her classroom. She had the kids put those on their eyes.
(Actual photo of a student just before visiting my office – hah! Just kidding J)
RatherBHiking, BSN, RN
592 Posts
Oh my gosh yes it’s started here too. They all feel awful but so do I. I will sometimes rinse eyes with saline and then let them hold a cold pack for a few min after being outside which seems to help a lot. I also encourage washing hands and not touching face. I can tell when they’ve been rubbing their eyes because they will be red all around it so I’m stern with them about that. I also tell the kids and teachers I don’t want to see them again if I see them more than once and have deemed them ok to stay at school. Some kids will just drive you nuts. Obviously if they look awful I’ll call their parents but there’s a few that are just whiny.