Approximately 20 million people in the United States have pollen allergies. Someone with pollen allergies may experience a rush of symptoms when they go outside, including but not limited to:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, eyes or nose
- Sneezing or coughing
- Worsening asthma
If your child is among the millions of people dealing with allergies this summer, you might feel hesitant to send them to a summer camp where they’ll spend countless hours outside. Luckily, there are plenty of ways they can manage their allergies for a super fun and symptom-lite summer.
Let’s look at a few of those methods below.
Talk to Their Camp
Talk to the camp administrators or counselors about your child’s allergies before camp starts. If your child has asthma, alert the camp that pollen may increase their risk of an asthma attack.
Knowing that your child has allergies or asthma will ensure that the camp is prepared to intervene in the event of a reaction.
Pack Their Medication
Your child likely takes daily allergy medication to manage their symptoms in the summer. Double-check that they have enough medication to last them the duration of their stay and that they know when to take it. If your child is young, ask the camp counselors to check that your child has taken their daily medication or give the counselors the medication directly to ensure it doesn’t get lost.
If your child uses an EpiPen, pack at least one and verify that the camp staff are trained to recognize anaphylactic shock and administer the injection.
Pack the Right Clothing
A hot Frisco summer might scream shorts and t-shirts, but children prone to hives should wear lightweight and long-sleeve shirts and pants.
Educate Your Child About Their Food Allergies
Children with food allergies usually receive separate meals to avoid cross-contamination. However, many children like to share their food. In addition to telling the camp about their food allergies, remind your child not to share their food and teach them how to read nutrition labels.
Ask Us About Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment option for specific types of allergies. Starting the treatment this summer means that your child could experience fewer symptoms by next year’s camping season. Contact Collin County ENT to discuss whether immunotherapy is right for your child’s allergies.