School means making new friends and experiencing exciting outdoor activities. It may also mean exposure to new foods, chemicals and other potential allergy-causing substances. Learn how to recognize and prevent common childhood allergies with these practical tips for talking with teachers.

Be on the lookout for these allergy triggers:

• Chalk, classroom art supplies and items brought from home by other children are culprits. Even non-toxic paints, clay and chalk can cause allergic symptoms in some children.
• New foods are another common allergic trigger — especially peanuts, shellfish, strawberries, milk and apricots.
• Plants and pollen on the playground can cause sniffles, sneezing and wheezing. Everything from flowers to trees has the potential to be problematic for young children with no prior exposure.

Young children are at particular risk to suffer from undiagnosed allergies. So keep an eye out for the following symptoms during the school week; they may be a sign of something more than just a cold.

• Runny nose, sniffles, sneezing and watery or red, irritated eyes. If your child frequently seems to suffer from a cold that goes away or improves over the weekend only to resume when the school week begins, that could be a sign of allergies.
• Headache, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Allergies can often lead to headaches, fatigue and a loss of energy since the body is fighting an internal battle against a trigger. When children don’t feel well they tend to have difficulty concentrating and may even become “moody” or “cranky.” Unexplained levels of fatigue — especially combined with other common allergy symptoms – should be explored.
• Respiratory symptoms including asthma, wheezing or coughing that seems to persist without evidence of a cold is another common complaint among young children suffering from allergies.
• Dry, red or itchy skin including unexplained rash.
• Swelling of mouth, tongue, throat or other serious symptoms may indicate a serious allergic reaction. “Anaphylaxis” is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Peanuts and other food allergies are common causes of anaphylactic reactions among young children.

If you suspect your child might have an allergy, it is important to rule out other causes first. Many conditions share similar signs and symptoms. For example, headaches and eye strain are common complaints among children that need eyeglasses, while a rash might indicate an infectious disease.

Have your child examined by a pediatrician to rule out other possible problems. Your doctor may also decide to test for allergies, especially if allergic reactions seem more severe than usual or demonstrate a tendency to get worse.

If your child suffers from allergies, make it a top priority to communicate with teachers and school staff about how to help avoid potential triggers while providing a safe environment where your child will be able to learn.

The first line of defense is to prevent allergic reactions by avoiding exposure to known triggers.

• Make a list of your child’s allergies and distribute to each teacher, the school nurse and office staff.
• Make a list of related “off-limit” items. For example, if your child has a peanut allergy, then list other items that might include peanuts — like cookies or candy.
• Provide instructions on when and how to administer allergy medication to your child.
• Make sure contact information remains up-to-date and provide alternative phone numbers in the event of an emergency.
• Provide additional resources and educational information that might come in handy. For example, if your child is prone to allergy-related asthma attacks, then provide information about both the allergy and the asthma.
• Provide examples of how your child has responded to allergies in the past, including symptoms. Make sure teachers are aware of what kind of symptoms your child usually has and how to get help when needed.
• Discuss ways to reduce your child’s exposure to known triggers. For example, limiting play time outdoors during high pollen count days.

Hopefully your child will never experience a serious allergic reaction at school. But just in case, it is a good idea to have a firm plan in place. Begin by asking the following questions about the school allergy policy:

• Where are allergy medications stored and who is trained to properly administer them? This is particularly important for those whose children suffer from food allergies or severe allergic reactions.
• What is the school policy on food-related allergies? Does the school ban major food allergens or provide a separate space for those that suffer from things like peanut allergies?
• What is the policy on birthdays, parties and other food-related celebrations?
• What is the policy on “show and tell” or other events where children may bring unfamiliar items from home?
• How do teachers restrict food sharing among children?

Finally, it is important to prepare your child with age-appropriate information on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an allergy and how to ask for help when needed. Young children may not understand allergies or know how to communicate how they feel. Use these tips to help your child effectively deal with school-related allergies:

• Train children to wash their hands and face frequently, especially if they come in contact with new foods, plants or other items.
• If in doubt, ask before eating. Children with food-related allergies should be taught never to share food and to ask before eating anything new.
• Teach your child to recognize when they don’t feel well and notify a teacher even if they just “feel funny.”