College Survival Tips for Allergies and Asthma
Going to college can be a fun and exciting time, however, for asthma and allergy sufferers it should also be a time for preparation. Nearly 40-50 million people in the United States have allergies and 20.3 million people are affected by asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
Leaving home to attend college does not mean that asthma and allergy sufferers can leave behind the responsibilities of taking care of their asthma and allergies.
"More than ever, the college years are a time for students to step up to the plate and become their own health care advocates," said Martha White, MD, Fellow of the AAAAI and Past Chair of the AAAAI's Public Education Committee. "By continuing to take their medication and following their treatment plan, allergic and asthmatic students can take control of their condition and enjoy their college experience."
The AAAAI recommends allergy and asthma sufferers take the following steps to prepare for college:
Asthma
- Make an appointment with your allergist/immunologist before leaving for college.
- Refill your prescriptions and have your doctor find a local allergist for you to see while at college.
- Complete an asthma action plan and provide a copy for your roommate, resident assistant, and hall director.
- Request a smoke-free room and roommate, smoke is a trigger for most people with asthma.
- Try to avoid social situations where you will be exposed to smoke and other triggers.
Allergies
- Keep dorm room clutter to a minimum. Try to limit upholstered furniture or secondhand rugs as these are filled with allergens.
- Dorm life breeds mold, dust mites, bacteria, and viruses. It is important to keep your room clean and free of these triggers, remember to vacuum and dust often.
- Encase bedding with dust mite proof covers and wash sheets and blankets weekly in hot water, to keep your room free of dust mites and other airborne particles.
- Keep track of high pollen and mold counts in your area that may affect your allergies.
- Arrange to continue receiving allergy shots, if needed, with a local allergist/immunologist.
- Take medications as prescribed by your physician and store them in a safe place.
- Check out the National Allergy Bureau's web site for more information, www.aaaai.org/nab
Food Allergy
- Let your roommate and resident assistant know what foods you are allergic to and ways of identifying an allergic reaction.
- Ask your roommate not to eat foods that you are allergic to in your room.
- Speak with the student health center about food allergies and anaphylaxis; also identify where the closest hospital is in case of emergencies.
- Teach your roommate how to use an Epi-pen®, and carry it with you at all times.
- Be cautious when eating in the cafeteria and other restaurant-type settings. Foods are easily cross-contaminated, and you need to be careful.
- Speak with the cafeteria manager to see if there are meals specifically for students with food allergies.
See Your Allergist/Immunologist
With all the preparations involved for heading off to college this fall, don't forget to see your allergist/immunologist. An allergist/immunologist will help you enjoy your college years by providing you with an effective management plan for your allergies and asthma. To find an allergist/immunologist in your area or to learn more about asthma and allergies, call the AAAAI Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at www.aaaai.org.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States, representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals, and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has nearly 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries.