The IAA One Minute Blog

With advanced planning, children with severe allergies and asthma should be able to attend summer camp.

Planning Ahead

Coordinating your child's medical care with camp officials can make going to summer camp possible for your child. When planning for summer camp:

1. Ensure that camp leadership knows about your child's allergies. It is likely that you will need to have medical forms filled out by your child's doctor.
2. Include your contact information, the contact information of your child's physician, as well as the contact information of other trusted family members if you cannot be reached in the event of an emergency.
3. Ensure that your child's medications are up-to-date and accompany your child to summer camp.
   
4. Ensure that your child understands his/her medical condition, as well as the symptoms of, and the medications used, to treat the condition. An informed child is less likely to eat food they are allergic to, is more likely to ask for their asthma inhaler if asthma symptoms occur, and is more likely to inform an adult of an allergic reaction.
   

Camp staff, physicians, parents, and campers, must work together to minimize the risk.

Asthma at Camp

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects more than one in every ten children in the United States. Signs and symptoms your child's counselors should look out for:

• Complaint of chest tightness or "hurting"
• Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play or while laughing
• Less energy during play, with the need for frequent rest periods to catch their breath
• Loss of appetite
• Rapid breathing
• Whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing out
  

If your child's asthma is well controlled, they should be able to enjoy fun outdoor activities. Just keep the asthma triggers in mind. For example, avoid lots of walking or hiking when the pollen counts are likely to be high. On these days, check in with your child's camp to see if there are any alternate activities your child can do.

Food Allergies

A food allergy occurs when the body has a specific immune response to certain foods. Symptoms communicated by children with food allergies:

• It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue (throat)
• It feels like something is poking my tongue
• It feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears)
• It (my throat) feels thick
• My mouth feels funny
• My tongue feels full (or heavy)
• My tongue feels like there is hair on it
• My tongue (or mouth) itches
• My tongue (or mouth) is tingling (burning)
• There's a frog in my mouth; there's something stuck in my throat
  

It is important for parents to be involved when they know their children have food allergies. Although schools usually have protocol they follow in case of an emergency, camps may not always have the same level of preparation. In planning ahead, remind your child to:

• Never trade food with other campers
• Not eat anything with unknown ingredients
• Read every label and check with a counselor
• Tell an adult if a reaction seems to be starting even if there is no visible allergic response
  

Preparing your child is one way to help make him/her safe at camp!

Insect Bites and Stings

Bee stings can produce different reactions, ranging from temporary pain and discomfort to severe allergic reactions. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to bee stings is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• A weak, rapid pulse
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or fainting
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Skin reactions, including hives and itching, flushed or pale skin
• Swelling of the throat and tongue
  

It is hard to avoid Mother Nature out at camp. When your child is allergic to bee stings, you may feel nervous about letting him/her outdoors during the summer. Explaining these signs and symptoms to your child and those who take care of your child at camp, may help you feel more comfortable.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America thinks summer camp should be a fun experience for children. Your child may have allergies, but that doesn't mean they can't spend the summer like any other kid. Children with severe allergies can have fun just like everyone else. Think of IAA as your self-funded summer planner, reminding you to have some summer fun.

Interested in reading more on this topic? Click here and here.