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Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. These lower risk activities can be safe alternatives: Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends Decorating your house, apartment, or living space Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given...

On campus, you need to watch out for the food allergy perils in boozy parties, hook-ups and dropping your guard. But you can also find someone to date who finds you interesting, allergies and all. By Alexa Jordan I didn’t think twice about having a food allergy when I dated boys in high school. Neither my parents nor my allergist warned me about how dating could be more difficult for me than for others.  I mean, the protagonist Allie in The Notebook didn’t have to ask: “Did you eat any tree nuts today?” before kissing. No one called ahead to...

Help your child follow their asthma management plan and take their controller medications as prescribed. Know when to step up care and when to call your pediatrician or asthma care provider. In addition, there are other steps you can take: Go smoke-free. People with asthma should avoid asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke. If a parent or caregiver smokes or vapes, it is important to do it outside. Smoking in another room does not prevent the smoke from traveling. The 1-800-QUITNOW is a free nationwide number that helps people stop smoking. Many states provide free supplies such as nicotine replacement...

Students will have new protocols in place as they try to keep allergies and asthma under control. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (July 28, 2020) – Sending kids back to school at the end of summer is a ritual many parents look forward to. This year as cases of COVID-19 surge in many communities, parents are asking themselves not only what will the school year look like – remote, in-person or a hybrid? – but how will they keep their child and their family safe. Adding allergies and asthma to the risks being faced adds another layer of concern. “Lots of school...

As we all return to work, school and public places, face coverings and masks have become essential tools in our fight against COVID-19 (the new coronavirus). But wearing a face covering raises many questions for people with asthma. Why Do We Need to Wear Face Masks or Coverings During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Physical distancing (also known as social distancing) helps slow the spread of COVID-19. So why do we need to wear face coverings? Studies have shown many people have COVID-19 and don’t show symptoms. Or they may have the virus a few days before they show symptoms. The purpose...