Seasonal allergies and asthma in the classroom: Our tips

I don't know about you, but I love Autumn. It's like a guilty pleasure or a celebrity crush. For most people, it's all about the six-week holidays, the sun, and the sea, but for me, Autumn takes the biscuit!

Autumn brings cooler weather, colourful leaves, and hoodies galore.

Unfortunately, it also spikes asthma flare-ups and seasonal allergy symptoms. 

For children with asthma or hayfever, this time of year can trigger wheezing, coughing, and difficulty concentrating in class. However, with proactive measures and transparent processes, you and your team can reduce triggers and increase health protection.

‼️Let's not forget that asthma and allergies affect adults equally, so these tips may just help a colleague or two.

This First-Aid Room issue shares practical tips for school asthma management during allergy season and offers guidance to help staff recognise and respond to symptoms swiftly.

Why autumn?

As the seasons shift, environmental triggers become more common. In autumn, you may notice:

🤧 Increased mould spores from damp leaves

🤧 Lingering pollen from late-flowering plants

🤧 Colder air irritates the airways (I didn't believe this one at first, but it's like running on a cold morning - that can really cause discomfort!)

🤧 Viral infections triggering asthma attacks

Throw all of this into an autumn term, and out pops a classroom experience that is uncomfortable or even dangerous to some of your colleagues and students.

Recognising symptoms

This section would be best to pass on to your classroom colleagues. Students will likely know their symptoms, you will know symptoms, but to double-check:

Mild symptoms:
🤧 Sneezing and a runny nose

🤧 Itchy, watery eyes

🤧 Nasal congestion

🤧 Mild cough

(Yes, all the symptoms of a common cold and some of a seasonal flu, too, but all of these combined are worth a second look)

Asthma warning signs:

❗️ Frequent coughing, especially at night or after exercise

❗️ Wheezing and chest tightness

❗️ Shortness of breath

❗️ Using reliever inhalers more than usual.

6 asthma management tips for the autumn: classroom edition

1. Know your pupils' plans

Ensure that every staff member — from teachers to lunchtime supervisors — knows which children have asthma and where their inhalers are stored. Check that asthma action plans are up to date. If you use Medical Tracker, you can easily find this information, print it off, store it, and see real-time stock levels.

2. Conduct classroom audits
Remove or limit allergens:

- Avoid open windows during high pollen times

- Regularly clean dust from surfaces, blinds and condensation from windows.

3. Store and check inhalers
Make sure pupils have access to their reliever inhalers at all times. Under government guidelines, schools should also have a spare emergency inhaler (with parental consent). Don't worry about expiry dates; Medical Tracker can automatically monitor these, and alerts can be programmed for expiring stock.

4. Educate and empower your colleagues
Offer termly refresher training on:

• Asthma signs and emergency protocols

• How to use an inhaler with a spacer

• When to call for emergency help (e.g., if symptoms do not improve after inhaler use)

5. Communicate with Parents
Send reminders at the start of allergy seasons, encouraging families to:

• Provide up-to-date inhalers and allergy medications

• Update the school on any recent attacks or changes

• Alert the school to specific autumnal triggers (e.g., mould, grass, animals)

6. Use a digital log for pattern identification.
Using software like Medical Tracker can help you spot patterns in allergy or asthma incidents. For example, logging multiple incidents involving the same child at break times may help highlight a trigger and prompt intervention.