Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in Scottsdale
Summer has officially come to an end, and children are once again filling the bustling hallways and classrooms of schools.
With the school year in full swing, kids and their parents are busy ensuring they have everything they need to navigate the upcoming months smoothly and without hiccups.
As the new school year begins, parents naturally worry about keeping their children in optimal health so they can learn, meet new people, and make lasting friendships.
In addition to shopping for school supplies and new clothes, parents must also prioritize their children’s health, ensuring they stay healthy and ward off illnesses throughout the year.
What’s Allergy Season Like in Arizona?
It’s a common misconception that a desert climate is a safe haven for allergy sufferers. This is why, for years, many have flocked to live in such a place like Arizona, hoping for long-lasting relief from annoying allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and watery eyes.
The bad news is, this is far from the truth. A desert region like Arizona has a very unique climate and in turn, a unique plant and vegetation life too. This results in a variety of allergens that negatively affect many allergy sufferers living in the regions.
Common allergens in Arizona include pollen from ryegrass, bermuda grass, ragweed, Arizona fescue, and tumbleweed. Trees like juniper and mulberry also produce allergy-causing pollen throughout allergy seasons.
Allergy seasons in Arizonas are at their peak during the months of February to June. Ragweed allergens are also heightened during the months of August through November.
Additionally, Arizona has a naturally breezy and dry climate. This situation causes allergy-causing pollen to travel easily through the wind. And most times, these pollens can travel for miles at a time.
How to Keep Kids Healthy for School: 5 Simple Ways
Back-to-school season also means increasing your kids’ exposure to germs and viruses that can potentially harm their health and overall well-being. Taking proactive steps will keep them in optimal health and here are 5 simple steps to do this:
1. Make sure kids have up-to-date vaccinations
Your kids’ number one defense against dangerous germs and viruses is vaccinations. Before school starts, make sure your child has up-to-date vaccinations and shots. Start with flu, RSV, and COVID shots. These are very common respiratory conditions and it’s important for your child to be vaccinated against them.
Parents who are especially concerned about allergies can turn to allergy testing. This will test your child on common allergies and will let you know if they are allergic to anything. Having the test done will help you take a proactive approach to allergies and lessen allergic reactions.
2. Always check pollen counts
Living in a region like Arizona where allergens are always moving around, it’s crucial for parents to always be on the lookout for pollen counts. Make it a habit to always check the news so you know when your child needs to take their allergy medication to try and suppress reactions once they go outdoors.
When they need to go out on days when pollen counts are especially high, other than taking allergy medications, you can also send them out with masks to help lessen their contact with certain allergens as well.
If your child is able to stay home, keep them indoors on days when pollen counts are dangerously high. This will prevent any possibility of contact with their allergens.
3. Bathe kids and change their clothes immediately after getting home from school
Once your child gets home from school, immediately get them out of their outdoor clothes and bathe them. This will get rid of any germs, viruses, pollutants, allergens, and pollen they’ve managed to pick while they were out and about.
Doing this immediately after they get home will also prevent said pollutants and allergens from spreading throughout the rest of your home. This keeps your family from picking any of them up, keeping everyone happy and healthy.
4. Teach regular handwashing
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to keep children in optimal health at home and at school is instilling the habit of regular handwashing. This gets rid of any germs, viruses, pollutants, and allergens children have come in contact with their hands.
Children should be washing their hands before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, and after playing and recess. To teach young kids the proper way to wash their hands, tell them to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song in full twice, while washing between the fingers and underneath the nails.
5. Boost their defenses and strengthen their immunity
A strong immunity will protect children from contracting diseases and illnesses as they meet various people in school. Boost their defenses by keeping them in a healthy diet of proteins, vegetables, and fruits. Additionally, keep them hydrated by ensuring they drink enough water daily.
Getting enough sleep every night will also boost children’s immune systems. According to the American Academy of Sleep, here are the best sleep recommendations for children:
- 10 to 13 hours for children 3 to 5 years of age
- 9 to 12 hours for children 6 to 12 years of age
- 8 to 10 hours for teens 13 to 18 years of age
Conclusion: Don’t Stop Kids From Learning and Don’t Let Them Get Sick
It’s back to school season and as kids flock back to schools, so do germs that can put them at risk. As parents, it should be your priority to get them in optimal health to fight against the diseases these germs and viruses carry.
Teaching kids the dangers of germs and what they can do to stop them is crucial in keeping them healthy for the rest of the school year.