The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers these suggestions to help prevent allergy and asthma flares in your child:

• Have your child visit the doctor before school starts to make sure symptoms are well-controlled.
• Give a copy of your child's treatment plan to the school staff, which should be familiar with your child's triggers and medications.
• With the pediatrician's approval, make sure your child is vaccinated for seasonal flu and swine flu.
• Make sure your child carries an inhaler at all times, and an epinephrine kit if the child has life-threatening allergies.
• Talk to your child about what triggers symptoms (such as exercise or chalkboard dust), and make sure he or she knows to avoid them.
• Check out the school and look for any potential problems, such as cafeteria foods that could be dangerous to your child.

-- Diana Kohnle