How to Make a Classroom Allergy and Asthma Friendly

For parents, guardians, school staff, and teachers, education for students can be stressful at times, but it can be even more worrisome if the children they care for suffer from allergies and/or asthma.

Because asthma and allergies go hand in hand, it's important to understand, communicate, and advocate for the children out there who are excited about school, but need extra precautions to help keep their school day inclusive and provide a healthy learning environment.

That’s why we want to answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to asthma and allergies in the classroom so that school staff (teachers, the school nurse, etc.) can be prepared. If you have a child with allergies and asthma, feel free to share this article with educators in order to raise awareness around allergies and asthma.

How are asthma and allergies connected?

Asthma affects about 339 million people worldwide, and exposure to inhaled environmental allergens plays a significant role in triggering asthma symptoms.¹ In fact, up to 90% of children and teens with asthma have sensitizations to inhaled environmental allergens.²

When students with asthma are exposed to allergens they are sensitized to, they may experience the symptoms of asthma such as chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. On average, nine people in the U.S. die each day from asthma and nearly all these deaths are preventable.³ This is why knowing and understanding what a child may react to and practicing avoidance is so important.

What are some outdoor allergic triggers?

Pollen allergens

Pollen allergens are a common trigger that’s been found to affect asthma.⁴ There are many different types of pollen and their prevalence can change throughout the year. Tree pollen typically peaks in spring, grass pollen is typically the culprit in the summer, and weeds pollinate in late summer and fall.⁴

How to help those with pollen allergies

For parents, if you suspect your child might have a seasonal allergy, it's a great idea to talk to their healthcare provider to determine if a test is appropriate to help get to the bottom of what's causing symptoms. Specific IgE blood tests help aid in the diagnosis of allergies or help rule them out if that's not what's causing symptoms.

If allergies are diagnosed, parents should share the specifics of which pollens their child is allergic to and can work with school staff (school nurse, teachers, etc.) to help avoid triggers as much as possible. Teachers certainly can't control the amount of pollen in the air, but they can keep an eye on pollen counts and consider if classroom windows should remain closed or whether inside recess might be best on high-count days.

Insect venom allergens

Insects are another common outdoor allergic trigger, particularly the stinging ones like bees and wasps. Similar to pollen allergies, knowing whether a student has this type of allergy allows teachers to prepare and be extra careful.

Understanding the severity of a student's allergy and any actions that might be needed if there is exposure to that allergen in a school environment is crucial information for the student's safety. For example, one student may get stung, and the reaction isn't dangerous. Another student, who may be allergic and gets the same sting, might have a severe reaction, like anaphylaxis, and need an epinephrine injection.

Again, having conversations with parents about the student's allergies, trigger avoidance, and any emergency treatment that might be needed are crucial.

So, what about allergens inside the classroom?

Are there allergens in my classroom?

The short answer is yes. There can be a lot of internal environmental factors that contribute to allergic reactions. But the longer answer is that even though we may be exposed to many indoor allergens, there are strategies for controlling or minimizing them (more easily than with outdoor triggers). Let’s start with the types of common allergens:

Dust mites

Dust mites are an extremely common indoor allergen, and for many kids with asthma, they’re a trigger for asthma attacks.⁴ Dust mites can be found in all types of fabrics, particularly bedding like blankets or pillows that you may see with children’s cots in a daycare center, or in a reading nook in a classroom. Even the rug that students circle up on for reading time may be covered in dust mites.

Dust mites thrive in humidity, and if the humidity in your area rises to 50% or higher, you can bet there are dust mites hanging around.⁴ It may seem like having a humidifier on would help people with asthma breathe easier, but in fact, it may actually increase the dust mite populations in the classroom.

To limit dust mite exposure for kids (and yourself), chat with administration and maintenance teams about hygiene for bedding and soft materials. This can mean encasing pillows and mattresses with special covers that block dust mites.⁴ Other tactics are weekly washings in hot water and a hot dryer cycle and consistent vacuuming of classroom carpets. Does the school have a vacuum with a HEPA filter? These can help too.⁴

Pet dander

Cleanliness measures like these also address another common indoor allergen—pet dander. No, this likely isn't just from a class pet like a guinea pig or hamster. It can be carried into class by students who have a dog or cat at home.⁴

Similar to how pollens and outdoor allergens are impossible to control, you can’t stop students from hugging their beloved pets. But for students with asthma or allergies, you can advocate for extra cleaning of carpets and washing of bedding materials, as well as assigning seats for students with pets away from those who have allergies. For teachers, it may also be worth adding lint rollers to your class supply list so you can help wipe down furniture or any students you may notice who are tracking in fur. If your school can install air filters in your classroom, these can make a difference too.⁴

Can perfumes or scents trigger allergies and asthma attacks?

Yes and no. Strong scents like perfumes, body sprays, air fresheners, and cleaning products can be irritants, but these substances usually do not cause an allergic reaction. Similar to how pepper can make you sneeze, but that does not mean you are allergic to pepper.

However, even if not allergenic, these fragrant irritants can still trigger asthma symptoms.⁵ If a teacher has a student with asthma, it’s probably best to skip the perfume before heading to school and to avoid strong air fresheners in the classroom.

Check with school maintenance staff about cleaning supplies too—is there a low-scent option for wiping down surfaces? It may seem like a small thing, but reducing these non-allergic asthma triggers can make a big difference for kids with asthma.

What role do food allergies play in the classroom?

We've covered a variety of potential allergens that students can run into during their school day, except for that really big one: food.

Most daycares and schools already have had staff trainings and have pretty substantial food allergy mitigation measures already in place. The best course of action for teachers is to follow existing guidelines and remain vigilant. That can include things like keeping an eye out for non-food items that are made from food-based ingredients (think play dough). Food particles may also become airborne, and in such a small space this may be dangerous for children with asthma and allergies.

Parents and teachers must work together to help ensure students aren't coming to class with food that could impact an at-risk student. 

Staying one step ahead of allergic triggers

Allergens are all around us, and it’s impossible to remove or control all of them in the classroom environment or throughout our daily activities. But some basic cleaning practices and awareness of potential triggers can go a long way towards keeping allergies and asthma under control and protecting a kiddos’ health.

And teachers, don’t take it all upon yourself—your administration, school health services, and students’ parents can all be a source of support. Most children with asthma have probably received an asthma action plan from their healthcare provider, which outlines types of allergy risk-factors, emergency contacts, as well as what to do in the event of an asthma attack or asthma episode. Speak to your student's guardian and ask if you can have a copy to help you stay prepared and keep their child safe.

Have questions about specific IgE blood tests?