Asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and adolescence. It affects 12% of children between the ages of 6 and 14, and is currently the leading cause of school absenteeism. While children with asthma are at home, they are closely monitored by their parents, always on the lookout for any sign of a flare-up in their illness so they can administer rescue medication or seek emergency medical care if it worsens. The daily lives of these families are usually lived with varying degrees of concern, depending on the individual parents’ individual needs, but these concerns undoubtedly increase when these children have to be sent to school and left under the supervision of others, especially when it is their first time.

It is well known that asthma flares up two or three weeks after the start of school. The reason why asthma reappears with the “back to school” season is due to several factors: During the summer, asthma symptoms generally improve or disappear, and many children stop taking their maintenance or preventative treatment, becoming more vulnerable to the effects of the first viruses on asthma flare-ups that occur with the drop in temperature. In coastal towns, the aggravating factor is that these are ideal weather conditions for the proliferation of the dreaded “dust mites.” Since asthma has an allergic cause 80% of the time, children with asthma due to dust mite allergies noticeably worsen at the first signs of autumn.

Now that we know all this, it’s very important to plan ahead before the start of the school year so that asthma attacks don’t take us by surprise, because they’re usually far from surprising.

· Make an appointment with an allergist before the start of the school year to receive your report in time.
· Get ​​an assessment from your doctor about your child’s current asthma status, preventative treatment, preventive measures, possible allergies, rescue medication, the possibility of removing the inhaler, and the treatment they may need at school.
· Request a report from the specialist for yourself and another for the school (they will ask for it). It is important to inform the school in writing if your child has asthma and its characteristics (whether they have had severe attacks, whether attacks are triggered by exertion, whether attacks occur after contact with animals or plants, etc.). Parents are the most important means of communication with the school, and this must be done in accordance with each school’s regulations. Find out more at your school so you can coordinate the necessary documents with your doctor.
· Asthma and Exercise: It’s important to remember that asthma attacks can occur during exercise, so it’s a good idea to inform your child’s physical education teacher that your child has asthma. Teachers can prevent these situations by encouraging warm-ups and avoiding exercise when the air is cooler. However, it’s important to have rescue medication available nearby and not leave it in the classroom.
· Action Plan: If symptoms occur, it’s a good idea to have a written plan for how to proceed, what medication and dosage to administer, and when to notify medical services. Make sure you provide the medication to the school and check the expiration date (for the duration of the entire school year).

An exchange of information and opinions will create a safer environment for your child.