Leaving home for college is an exciting time. College-bound students with allergies and asthma have a few additional responsibilities to take on as they make the transition to college life.
Asthma and Dorm Life
The same principles of allergy avoidance apply to dorm life as to home life:
- Use dust mite encasings: most dorm beds are extra long, so shop accordingly.
- Keep your room clean! Don’t let dusty clutter accumulate
- If there are bunk beds in the room, take the top bunk to decrease exposure to allergens from the other mattress
- Launder bedding in hot water each week
- Avoid having rugs and upholstered furniture in your dorm room
- Avoid cigarette or other types of smoke.
- Resist the urge to acquire a small furry pet: they are a common trigger of allergies and asthma.
Other Tips
During orientation, find out where student health is located and what services and medications are available there. Find out where the nearest emergency department is. Find out the name, phone number and hours of the nearest pharmacy and how to get there. Don’t wait until you are sick to do this. Be proactive.
Make sure you have an adequate supply of the medications you use for asthma and allergies. Keep your rescue inhaler handy at all times. Don’t leave home without it! Know your own asthma symptoms and what to do if they occur. Don’t forget to take asthma controller medications daily. There is no one to remind you to do this now that you are away at college.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth or face unless you have washed your hands. This helps decrease the spread of respiratory infections which could trigger your asthma. Stay away from people who are sick.
Get a flu shot.
Now that you are 18 or over, you can call Certified Allergy and Asthma yourself for questions or problems with your asthma or allergies. Don’t expect a parent to do this for you.
Don’t forget to study hard, get adequate sleep and nutrition, and have fun! We’ll see you at your next visit.
