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Topic of the Month: July 2004: The Freshman 15: Top tips for allergy and asthma control
Your college years will be some of the best years of your life. It is a time of opportunity, new experiences and the pathway to your future. It might also be the first time you have lived away from home. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, it is especially important that you prepare yourself for your new surroundings. Use the following tips as you make your final plans to head off to campus: 1. Arrange a visit with your allergist/immunologist so that he or she is aware that you will be living temporarily out of the area. At that visit you can coordinate any transfer of care (medications, allergy injections, etc.) that may become necessary while you are away. 2. Call the student health service at your school to inquire about their policy regarding allergy injections. This may require special arrangements that need to be dealt with ahead of time. 3. Fill your prescription(s) before you leave and have your allergist/immunologist phone a local pharmacy with your prescription(s), so you can continue to obtain refills while living away from home. 4. Complete an asthma action plan and bring a copy for your roommate and residence director.
This plan should list your physician's contact information in case of an emergency and any medications you are taking. 5. Request a non-smoking room and/or roommate. Smoke is a common trigger of both asthma and allergies. Smoking can harm your body in many ways, but it is very harmful to the lungs. The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and "twitchy" and therefore can easily be squeezed down by the smooth muscle that surrounds these tubes. When a person inhales tobacco smoke whether for personal smoking or passive smoke, these irritating substances can set off an asthma attack. 6. Request a dorm room without carpeting. Your dorm room is your bedroom, living area and study room all in one. Because you will be spending so much time there, it important to reduce dust mites. Wood or vinyl flooring that can be easily be cleaned is best. Simple throw rugs can be added for comfort and washed weekly in hot water to reduce allergens. 7. Be aware of the “The Thanksgiving Effect.” This consists of a flare-up of allergy or asthma symptoms that occur after an interval of being away from your home and the family cat or dog. Some allergic people will lose their tolerance of their pets during the time period away. By Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend the allergy or asthma symptoms are severe and getting an urgent visit for care during that weekend may be difficult. Anticipate this possibility and discuss an action plan with your physician. 8. Encase mattresses, box springs and pillows in airtight, zippered plastic or special allergen-proof fabric covers - all are available in many national stores. Bedding should also be washed weekly in hot water (130°F) and dried in a hot drier to reduce dust mites. 9. Familiarize yourself with your on campus health center. If symptoms should flare up and you need to see a physician you may need to pay a visit to the student health center. 10. Thoroughly clean your living area when you move in. In addition to controlling dust mites, which are prevalent no matter what area you live in, you may also need to be on the lookout for mold and cockroaches. Both mold and cockroach droppings can trigger allergies and asthma. Indoor molds and mildew can be easily eliminated once you discover them. Use a cleaning solution containing 5% bleach and a small amount of detergent. Never put carpeting on concrete or damp floors, and avoid storing clothes, papers or other items in damp areas. A protein in roach droppings can be a primary trigger of asthma symptoms. Avoid roaches by keeping food in tight-lidded containers, vacuum and sweep the floor after meals, and take out garbage and recyclables frequently. Use lidded garbage containers and wash dishes immediately after use in hot, soapy water. 11. If you have a food allergy, don't be afraid to educate others about the severity of your condition. Complete a food allergy action plan, make copies and give to your roommate and resident assistant in your dormitory. Be sure to educate your roommate about your food allergy and ask that he or she avoid eating the foods you are allergic to in your dorm room. Educate your roommate how to administer the Epi-Pen ® and find out where the nearest emergency room is located. For more information about living with food allergies at college, visit the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Web site, http://www.fankids.org/FANTeen/School/school.html. 12. Proceed with caution the first time you visit the campus cafeteria. Foods in a cafeteria setting can cross contaminate each other. For example the same knife for the margarine might end up in the peanut butter. Determine what the hazards are and what ingredients are used in the main dishes. See if you can speak with the cafeteria manager and arrange for special meals that do not contain allergenic ingredients. 13. Wear your medical alert bracelet at all times. Your new friends will not be familiar with your medical history and you should have your bracelet on at all times in case of an emergency. This is especially important if you have a severe food allergy or have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past since you will likely be eating out at new places and may be unaware of ingredients. 14. Carry your inhaler and/or Epi-Pen ® at all times. You should always have your inhaler and/or Epi-Pen ® on hand in case of an emergency. Your new surroundings mean you will be less aware of when triggers such as smoke at a party or allergenic ingredients at a restaurant could trigger an allergic reaction. 15. Educate coaches and school personnel if you have exercise-induced asthma. Whether playing on a collegiate team or intramural sport, let friends and coaches know if you have exercise-induced asthma and always bring your inhaler to games and practices. Additional Resources
This topic was reviewed on 6-24-04 by Stuart Friedman, MD, FAAAAI, Patients & Consumers Web Editor. |
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