Thread by @AllergyKidsDoc

College students will soon move into their dorms or apartments to get ready for fall semester.

There are many challenges to independent living & teens w #asthma #foodallergy or other allergic conditions have to incorporate self management as well. Thread ⬇️ #WednesdayWisdom

A few things adolescents w #asthma #foodallergy need to learn how to manage:
- Communication
- Access to meds at all times
- Prescription refills
- Doctor appointments
- Environmental assessment/avoidance
- Recognition of symptoms
- Treatment if symptoms occur
- Risky situations

Adolescents living independently who have #asthma #foodallergy also must balance:
- Class/work schedules
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Diet
- Social interactions
- Normal expected risk taking behaviors (college = ⬆️ opportunities for sex, alcohol, and drugs)

Nonadherence to #asthma treatment plans is common & multifactorial...even harder for adolescents living independently. This includes:
- Not using daily meds consistently
- Not having refills
- Incorrect inhaler technique
- Exposure to triggers
- Not using meds when symptoms occur

Alcohol & drugs can make #asthma #foodallergy management very difficult for anyone and adolescents are at risk for these behaviors. Important to discuss:
- Impaired judgement
- Increased risk for exposures
- Decreased ability to recognize symptoms
- Less likely to treat promptly

Also important to discuss how cigarettes, #ecigs, marijuana, hookah can all negatively impact #asthma.

Teens will be exposed to these and they need to be aware of how this can worsen their symptoms.

I start discussing independent living with teens who have #asthma #foodallergy around 11 years old. It takes years of practice & preparation to get them ready for self management.

@GotTransition has great resources. Also article here: pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediat…

It's never too late to help adolescents prepare for independent living.

Our open access article addresses some concepts surrounding #foodallergy #asthma self management: annallergy.org/article/S1081-…

For those interested in a longer read, my book also tackles all the issues adolescents, parents, and medical providers should consider as we help prepare them for independent living.

It's written in a way that anyone can relate, regardless of background. amazon.com/Allergies-Adol…

Hopefully this thread offers some thoughts for parents & adolescents to consider as they think about self management skills for #asthma #foodallergy...and for life in general.

College is a great period in life...let's help teens have a fun, successful and healthy experience!