Allergic Rhinitis Is the Main Cause
Allergic rhinitis is the cause of more than 10,000 absences each school day, according to the National Institute of Health.
School work is usually hindered when a child suffers from these various allergy symptoms:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- red, itchy eyes
- watery eyes
- headaches
- hives
- stomach aches
- ear infections
The physical symptoms of allergies can affect the child's:
- learning ability
- concentration
- performance
- alertness
- attendance
They can also cause your child to feel:
- embarrassed
- fatigued
- irritable
- moody
- self-conscious
- depressed
Behavior problems, such as the ones mentioned above, as well as temper tantrums, may manifest because the allergic child is unable to communicate what he/she is feeling. This is known as "allergic irritability syndrome".
So What Does a Parent Do?A parent can help prevent school absences by thinking and preparing ahead.
- Determine which substances trigger your child's allergies with the help of your child's physician
- Discuss all treatment options with the physician
- Help the child avoid those triggers
- Administer proper treatment as recommend by the physician
- Don't give your child medication that causes drowsiness. Most over-the-counter allergy medications can interfere with a child's learning ability and performance in school
- Make sure your child's nasal congestion is under control. It can interrupt a restful sleep
- Keep the lines of communication open with your child's teacher
How Can the Teacher Help?A child's allergies may be influenced by classroom environmental factors, such as open windows in the fall, or the presence of dust mites. There are steps a teacher can take to help reduce allergens in the classroom:
- Keep windows closed
- Make sure dust does not accumulate
- Rid the classroom of possible allergy triggers
- Place children with allergies as far from the chalk board as possible to avoid irritation from chalk dust
- Choose class pets with the allergic child in mind
- Choose crafts that don't use known allergens.
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