Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in Dallas
Summer has officially come to a close and now, kids are flocking back to the busy hallways and classrooms of schools.
Kids and parents alike look forward to this season. Students look forward to reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones while parents look forward to getting back to their “normal” routines.
There is also excitement around shopping for new school supplies and new school clothes. On top of preparing material supplies with due diligence, it should also be a priority to prepare children’s health for the opening of classes.
As children go back to school, germs and viruses will also be back. And if your child is not ready, they will come home sick and fatigued in no time.
Dallas: Top 4 Allergy Capital in the US
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) ranked Dallas, Texas as the fourth most challenging place to live with seasonal allergies, according to a 2024 report. The report looks at and analyzes factors like pollen scores (from trees, grass, and weeds) to conclude the list.
According to the same report, the city has worse-than-average pollen count and over-the-counter allergy medicine use but an average number of allergy specialists.
Dallas has a humid subtropical climate and is home to a diverse range of tree, flower, grass, and weed varieties all year round. Throughout the rest of the year, Dallas witnesses the pollination of many trees, grass, and weed species, resulting in a high number of seasonal allergies.
Here are common seasonal allergies in Texas:
- Tree pollen from February through June
- Grass pollen from March through September
- Ragweed pollen from August to November
- Mountain cheddar pollen from December through February
- Mold spores all year round with a peak in July
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is noted to have high counts of ragweed pollen and an extended ragweed allergy season compared to other areas in the country.
Dealing with seasonal allergies is frustrating even for adults, so it can even be worse for young children to deal with.
How to Keep Your Kids Healthy for Back-To-School Season
Allergic reactions weaken the immune system, making allergy sufferers susceptible to germs and viruses that can cause serious diseases.
As we get our kids ready for school, let’s not forget that keeping them in optimal health is crucial to keeping them safe and away from germs and viruses. Here are 5 practical ways to keep your kids healthy for back-to-school season:
1. Teach them to wash their hand frequently
Handwashing is a simple yet powerful method for eliminating harmful germs and viruses, helping to prevent their spread in a room full of schoolchildren.
Teach your kids the importance of frequent handwashing and how to do it correctly. The optimal duration is twenty seconds, which is roughly the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
Remind children to wash their hands before and after eating, after recess, and after using the bathroom.
2. Strengthen defense and boost immunity
A strong immune system means a strong defense against disease-causing germs. Make sure kids get enough sleep every night:
- 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5-year-olds
- 9 to 12 hours for 6 to 12-year-olds
- 8 to 10 hours for 13 to 18-year-olds
-
Ensure a healthy diet of proteins, vegetables, and fresh fruits to give children the nutrients they need to build a strong immune system and defense against allergies, bacteria, viruses, and germs.
3. Check pollen counts and be ready
Check the local news for updates on pollen counts and be prepared. If the counts are high, your child may need to take allergy medication (if prescribed) to help suppress reactions to allergens.
If there is no school and there is no need to go out, choose to stay inside in dry and windy weather conditions. These conditions can cause a higher number of pollen and allergens, heightening possible allergic reactions.
These proactive approaches will prevent, or at least lessen, the effects of allergies on your child’s immune system.
4. Keep vaccines up to date
Parents can also boost their children’s immunity and defenses by keeping their vaccines up to date. Seasonal flu vaccine, influenza vaccine, and COVID vaccines are some of the basics you will want to look at and check off your list.
If you’re especially worried about heightened seasonal allergies in Dallas, consider getting an allergy test. This will give you more information on allergens your child needs to avoid and will allow your physician to prescribe allergy medication if necessary.
5. Change clothes and bathe them immediately after getting home from school
Lastly, bathe your child and change them into a clean set of clothes immediately after getting home from school, especially if they spend extended periods outdoors.
This will prevent the germs, viruses, bacteria, pollens, dust, and allergens they picked up outside from spreading to the rest of your home.
Conclusion: Keep Children in Optimal Health
As a new school year starts, your kids’ health is at the top of your priority. Keeping them in optimal health is more crucial than ever.
Educating your kids about the dangers of germ spread and the risks associated with high allergen counts in your area is essential for maintaining their health throughout the school year. Keeping them healthy will help ensure their learning remains uninterrupted!