Use the Back to School News Release As
Use the Back to School news release as:
- Material you can distribute to local media (sample cover email below)
- Content to upload to your website and/or newsletter
- Informational flyer for patients/public
Four tips help you prep for allergies before school starts
Dear [INSERT REPORTER’S NAME]:
Parents of kids with asthma and allergies have an extra layer of preparation thrown into getting their kids ready for the first day of school. Because of allergy and asthma triggers in the classroom and on the playground, parents need to meet with school administrators and nurses well in advance of school starting in the fall. And there are the asthma action plans to put in place as well.
Below my signature is a press release that discusses how to make sure kids and classrooms are safe this fall for kids with allergies and asthma. I thought this might be of interest to you as you put together your fall health stories.
As a local allergist who specializes in treating allergy and asthma, I would be happy to speak with you about strategies for keeping kids healthy during the school year.
Thank you for your time,
[INSERT NAME]
[INSERT PRACTICE]
Four tips help you prep for allergies before school starts
Make sure allergies and asthma are under control
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE] [INSERT DATE] – School supplies? Check. New shoes? Check. Allergies and asthma under control? Let’s go over the list one more time to make sure you and your child are ready for the school year.
“Keeping allergies and asthma under control during the school year is a huge challenge,” says allergist [[INSERT NAME, INSERT PRACTICE.]“If you plan in advance, and understand the school’sprocedures that are in place to keep your child healthy, you’re ahead of the game. Remember to keep communication with the school open, and work with your child to knowtheir triggers. If you do, you’ll be off to a great start to the school year.”
Below are four tips to put you at the head of the class when it comes to controlling allergy and asthma.
Questions? Raise your hand. – If you need answers to questions about your child’s health, ask now.Find out in advance how the school nurse handles allergy emergencies. Who calls 911? What if your child can’t remember how to use their epinephrine auto injector, or can’t locate it? Are there stock supplies of epinephrine and asthma medications?How are teachers trained torespond to allergic reactions? Create a list and take it with you when you meet with the school nurse.
Make sure afood allergy diagnosis is correct–While about 5 to 8 percent of children have food allergies, many are misdiagnosed due to testing that isn’t called for. That can lead to unnecessarilycutting foods out of a child’s diet, which can negatively affect their nutritional health. Blood and skin prick tests are very helpful, but only if your child has already had a reaction to a food, not by themselves. It’s important to work with an allergist todiagnose food allergies.If your child does have a food allergy, make sure the school is fully informed. Work with your allergist and school staff to have an action plan that lists the foods your child is allergic to, what treatment needs to be given, as well as emergency contact information.
Are allergens hiding at school? – You probably know where allergens are foundin and around your home. There may also be some hidden allergensat school that cause sneezing and wheezing. Your child could be allergic to the classroom pet, or to the dander from another child’s pet that was carried in on their clothing or backpack. Pollen and dust settle in the classroom, and if not cleaned properly, can set off symptoms. Is the classroom window open? It could be bringing in pollen. If a child says they are coughingduring the school day, having difficulty breathing, have a rash, runny nose, or are sneezing, these could be signs they are allergic to something in school.
Consult the expert! – Make an appointment with your child’s board-certified allergist before school starts. An allergist can confirm what is causing symptoms and show you how to avoid triggers. For children with especially troublesome allergies, an allergist may prescribe immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets) which can change the course of, and lessen the intensity of how an allergy develops. If your child takes medicine, their allergist will make sure prescriptions are the right dose for their size, and are up-to-date. Kids who have asthma who see an allergist have 77 percent fewer days out of school.
If your child is experiencing allergy and asthma symptoms, make an appointment with a board-certified allergist to develop a treatment plan and eliminate symptoms.
Visit our website at [INSERT YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS] to find more information on allergies and asthma.