Reduce airborne allergy triggers
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Create an inclusive learning environment’
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Airborne allergens
Airborne allergens
Children and young people may respond to airborne allergens by sneezing or scratching, coughing, having itchy eyes or a runny nose, and their eczema may flare.
Common airborne allergens include:
- pollens from grasses, trees, and weeds
- animal saliva, hair, and dander
- droppings from cockroaches and house dust mites
- mold and mildew spores.
Airborne allergens are not often triggers for anaphylaxis.
Source: Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia (opens in a new tab/window)
Identify triggers in your classroom
Identify triggers in your classroom
Allergies and asthma is an interactive image, identifying and describing allergy triggers.
Work with your students to create something similar for your classroom. Take a photo and add speech bubbles, or use an application like Thinglink.
![11566 [Screen-Shot-2018-02-16-at-11.59.32-AM.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Screen-Shot-2018-02-16-at-11__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.59.32-AM.png)
Limit exposure
Limit exposure
Exposure to allergens can vary by time, location, and type of room within a building.
- Find out if pets and their habitats, such as straw and hay, are potential allergen triggers.
- Use air conditioners and keep windows and doors closed during windy days and high pollen seasons.
- If possible, refrain from outside activities during times of high pollen counts – Annual pollen calendar, Allergy New Zealand.
- Avoid walking in areas with long grass on trips and excursions.
- Wash bedding used in early childhood centres and medical rooms in hot water weekly.
- Wash toys and dress-ups regularly to eliminate dust.
- Wipe down window sills and areas where dust gathers.
- Plan to clean carpets throughout the year.
- Keep areas free of leftover food and drink as this can encourage cockroaches and small rodents.
- Wipe all surfaces after food preparation and eating.
Potential triggers
Potential triggers
Review these common airborne allergens in your environment.
![11567 [Airborne-and-environmental-allergens.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Airborne-and-environmental-allergens__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Source: Ministry of Education
Useful resources
Useful resources
Pet allergy
This fact sheet provides information on pet allergies.
Publisher: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
Allergen minimisation
This information includes advice about how to limit exposure to allergens.
Publisher: Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
Types of allergies
This website provides useful, detailed information on a broad range of allergy triggers.
Publisher: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Create an inclusive learning environment”:
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Current page Reduce airborne allergy triggers
Return to the guide “Allergies and learning”
![11648 [Allergies.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/guides/featured-images/Allergies__FillWzIwOCwyMDhd.jpg)
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Allergies and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Recognise and respond to allergic reactionsShow suggestions for Recognise and respond to allergic reactions
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Develop and implement health and safety policies and proceduresShow suggestions for Develop and implement health and safety policies and procedures
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Create inclusive systemsShow suggestions for Create inclusive systems
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Create an inclusive learning environmentShow suggestions for Create an inclusive learning environment
- Design for full participation
- Create safe eating environments
- Reduce airborne allergy triggers
- Use the classroom curriculum
- Use Te Whāriki
- Plan safe trips and excursions
