As children head back to school amid Covid fears, it’s a stressful time for the whole family. And for families with asthmatic children, there is the added worry of the ‘September Asthma Spike’ to deal with too.
According to the stats, the number of children admitted to hospital as a result of their asthma symptoms, peaks 17 days after Labor Day. This is known as the ‘September Asthma Spike’.
So why is September such a challenging time for people with asthma?
It’s ragweed season!
Fall allergies can be just as severe as Springtime. And it’s around this time of year that ragweed, a common fall allergen, reaches its peak. The ragweed plant produces up to a billion grains of pollen per plant and is highly allergenic, so it’s no surprise it can be problematic for asthmatics, exacerbating symptoms and making an asthma attack more likely.
The threat of viruses
The start of the school year means children are exposed to lots of new viruses and bacteria, not just Covid-19. Any type of respiratory infection can aggravate asthma symptoms and increase the chances of an asthma attack. The wearing of masks and regular handwashing may help to reduce the spread but even with these extra measures in place, the school environment is still the perfect place for viruses and bacteria to thrive.
Stress is a major asthma trigger
For many children, returning to school after a long summer break can be extremely stressful. This year’s back to school stress, on top of Covid-19 stresses, will mean September 2020 is particularly challenging.
Asthma triggers in the classroom
The school environment itself can also be an issue for kids with asthma. Cleaning products, chemicals, chalk boards, markers and other scented products are all asthma triggers, again increasing the risk of an asthma attack.
Planning is key
Be prepared!! Check medications are up to date and talk to your child’s doctor about creating an ‘Asthma Action Plan’. This will ensure you and your child know exactly how to avoid asthma triggers and crucially what to do in the event of an attack.
Talk to teachers about your child’s asthma or allergies, make them aware of the triggers and what to do if they were to suffer an attack. If you can, talk to other moms and kids too. Its important everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
We’re committed to keeping classrooms clean and safe
We’re living through unprecedented times. Breathing clean air, free from contaminants, is more important than ever. So we’ve been working with a number of schools, installing Austin Air Purifiers in hundreds of classrooms across the country. Running an Austin helps to keep the air free from allergens and offers an extra layer of protection against Covid-19*. After sleep, children spend more time in school than they do anywhere else, so it’s vital the school environment is clean and safe. Here at Austin Air, we’re committed to making that happen!
If you’d like to lean more about the air purifiers we recommend for schools, follow this link.
And if you’re looking to place an order for your school, we’re offering some great deals on bulk orders, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 1-800-724-8403. We’d be happy help with any questions you may have.
*Covid-19 is a new strain of virus that as yet, remains untested. However, the Medical Grade HEPA technology used in our filters is proven to remove up to 99% of all airborne contaminants as small as 0.1 microns.
