SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026 (HealthDay News) – Early summer is filled with transitions: The weather is getting warmer, everything is getting greener, and college-bound high school graduates are preparing for life away from home.
Graduation parties, summer vacations, and shopping for dorm supplies are often busy times of the year. But millions of teenagers live with them asthma and allergic conditions there’s also an often-overlooked aspect to consider—how to transition to self-management.
Asthma and conditions such as hay fever, eczema and food allergies are the most common chronic health conditions in children and adolescents. They are manageable and can be successfully treated when a long-term plan is developed for each individual. It’s about understanding how to recognize the symptoms, when to take medication, how to avoid triggers, and when to seek emergency medical help.
On a larger scale, this also requires navigating the health care system, including filling and receiving medications, co-pays, insurance coverage, and scheduling medical appointments. That’s a lot – even for someone who isn’t spending their first year away from home.
Transitioning to independent living allows for new life skills, finding a new social network, and managing everything from grocery shopping to class schedules and studies. College campuses and dormitories can introduce new triggers like dust mites, pollen, and mold. Other factors that can be introduced include different weather patterns, as well as exposure to tobacco smoke, vaping, drugs and alcohol. Additionally, any chronic health condition can be adversely affected by stress, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, and poor diet. With awareness and planning, all of these factors can be navigated.
Preparing adolescents with asthma and allergies for self-management begins as early as middle school. This can start with simple discussions about when and how to fill prescriptions with the pharmacy, how to schedule an appointment with the doctor, and knowing which emergency room to go to if necessary. Parents and allergists can also help teens by reviewing scenarios that have caused symptoms in the past and by discussing ways to avoid triggers or pretreat with medications.
Developing a plan to stick to daily medication is also important because teenagers face many challenges in normal development. Their brains are still developing, which may limit their ability to remember how to use drugs or appreciate the long-term consequences of their actions.
When it comes time to visit college campuses, the conversation should include how climate, pollution, pollen season, and dorm location can affect their health and, if possible, how the cafeterias handle food allergies.
After enrolling in college, it may be helpful for young people to meet with a pediatrician or allergist who has been managing their asthma and allergies (preferably before starting their last summer at home). They can provide letters of medical necessity regarding dorm rooms (eg, need for air conditioning, no pets, single and multi-story). In addition, forwarding prescriptions to a local pharmacy and identifying local emergency departments should be considered.
Young people who study away from home or need frequent office visits for allergy shots or medications may be referred to a different (local) allergist. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has a convenient search tool to help patients find board-certified allergists near anywhere in the United States.
The transition to college can be both an exciting and a busy time. The last thing a new student wants to worry about is managing their chronic health condition. With some preparation and ongoing reminders, the goal for anyone with asthma and allergies should be to participate in all activities with minimal disruption.
Parents can support their teens as they transition to self-management by discussing these important topics and offering gentle reminders and support. Allergists love to help families during this time, so don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance and support. If you or your child are interested in learning more, visit www.acaai.org for a library of information related to allergic conditions.
About the expert
Dr. David Stukus, MD, is a professor of clinical pediatrics and director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Stukus is the current president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Additionally, he is an Associate Editor of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and previously served as an elected member of the Allergy and Immunology Section Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Stukus has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed articles, two books (he has just finished writing his third), and dozens of book chapters. She is active on social media as @AllergyKidsDoc where she fights misinformation.
What does this mean for you?
College students with asthma or allergies should prepare to manage these chronic conditions once they arrive on campus. If they still haven’t figured out how, summer vacation is the perfect time.
