Seasonal allergy saga........

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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.....

I feel for the kids with seasonal allergies, I really do, but some of the repeat visitors aren't even showing any outward signs or symptoms. I get to the point where I nicely say that I wish there was more that I could do to help and send them to class. But the sheer persistence floors me! They just keep coming back. I could never in a million years imagine my own children being so persistent with a staff member in their school.

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Specializes in School nursing.
I feel for the kids with seasonal allergies, I really do, but some of the repeat visitors aren't even showing any outward signs or symptoms. I get to the point where I nicely say that I wish there was more that I could do to help and send them to class. But the sheer persistence floors me! They just keep coming back. I could never in a million years imagine my own children being so persistent with a staff member in their school.

This is why I think you may need to address at the teacher level - because, really, who keeps letting them come back...

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

the teachers continue to let them come back because the kids hound them. I've begun to take Old Dude's approach and call the platinum member frequent flier parents after visit no. 1 or 2. and let the parent see how pervasive the problem is. Of course I preface the call with "Junior is really ok, just stuffy and complaining about XYZ, I am not recommending or requiring pick up from school at this time - just wanted you to know what the symptoms were so you could treat accordingly..." blah blah and we usually have a quick discussion about if medication was given or which one. The kid gets ticked off that I took the wind out of their sails.

Most of the time, I don't think the kids are actually planning that they will go home I think they just want someone to complain to. You know, it's unacceptable in this society to be a minor with any sort of discomfort.

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I recently put this on another thread, but I have two seond-graders whose eyes are very irritated now. After a few interventions and some rest time, I said, "Try to go to class, I cant keep you here all day."

Child: "Its springtime, this is your life now!!!!"

"Until June, you have to deal with this!"

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

out of the mouths of babes...

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I recently put this on another thread, but I have two seond-graders whose eyes are very irritated now. After a few interventions and some rest time, I said, "Try to go to class, I cant keep you here all day."

Child: "Its springtime, this is your life now!!!!"

"Until June, you have to deal with this!"

Recycling mom's words from before school...

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