If your child has nasal allergies, asthma, food allergies or insect allergies, you need to be prepared before sending them to school. It should be expected that your child's allergy or asthma symptoms may worsen at school, and therefore they need to be treated there. Children with asthma should have albuterol available as well as a plan for when to use it, such as before physical education and if asthma symptoms occur. Those with food and insect allergies should have avoidance information as well as an Epi-Pen available to treat severe reactions. Don't wait for something bad to happen - put a plan into place BEFORE the school year starts so that your child can be treated at school if needed.

Learn more:

• Special Considerations for the Allergic Child at School
• Develop an Asthma Action Plan for School
• Preparing and Treating Food Allergies at School

Benadryl is a commonly used over-the-counter antihistamine taken for the treatment of various allergic conditions, such as nasal allergies, eye allergies and skin allergies such as hives. While Benadryl is reasonably effective, at least for a few hours, it is far too sedating to be taken on a routine basis. Learn more about the pros and cons of taking Benadryl, and the better treatment options that are available.

Read More:

• Pros and Cons of Taking Benadryl
• Comparison of Antihistamines for Allergies
• Which Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicines are Best

Plants from the Toxicodendron family are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Coming into contact with these plants can cause a rash consisting of a linear, or streak-like, group of itchy blisters or bumps.

The chemicals released from the plants, called urushiols, cause the itchy rash. Urushiol can be carried on the fur of animals, garden tools, sports equipment and clothing. The smoke from burning Toxicodendron leaves can also carry urushiol, and can result in inflammation in the lungs if inhaled.

Patch testing is not necessary for Toxicodendron plants, since most people would have a positive test and the diagnosis is made clinically. Treatment involves avoidance of exposure to these plants, and the use of topical steroids to reduce the rash and itching.

Learn more:

• Is There a Cure for Poison Oak Allergy?
• Food Allergies and Poison Ivy
• Other Common Causes of Contact Dermatitis

Most people don't like taking medications, especially when they're young and otherwise healthy, as is the case for many people with asthma. So it's not surprising that many asthmatics stop taking their controller medications during the summertime. After all, the weather's warm, they're less likely to get sick (which triggers asthma), most people have less stress (school's out), and have more control over their activities (they're less likely to experience exercise-induced asthma). What is surprising to me is how many doctors support taking the summer off from asthma medications.

There are many reasons why stopping asthma medications during the summer is a bad idea. First, it's rare to have the underlying problem of asthma -- inflammation of the lungs -- go away during the summertime. This means that stopping asthma medicines during the summer leaves inflammation untreated, which could lead to complications from asthma (such as emergency room visits and hospitalizations). Second, asthma attacks during the summer are still very possible, especially with a variety of asthma triggers around during this time of year (grass pollen, barbeque smoke, and lots of outdoor activities). Lastly, and probably most important, is that one of the most common times of the year for asthma attacks in kids is within the first few weeks of starting back at school -- as a result of exposure to cold and flu viruses.

Learn more:

• Is Your Asthma Controlled?
• Establish Your Asthma Action Plan
• Take an Asthma Education Class This Summer!

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