News From the RN

Posted September 25, 2025

Palmer Logo

The Allergy and Asthma Network has information on “How to AVOID the September Asthma Peak.”

Asthma attacks requiring a hospital or ER visit begin to spike in early-to-mid September and decline in mid-October. It’s especially common among schoolchildren but can also happen to adults. The third week of September = peak week for asthma flares, hospitalizations and ER visits.

Why Does It Happen?
A Perfect Storm of Triggers

  • High levels of ragweed pollen in outside air.
  • Return to school = increased exposure to allergens (indoor mold)
    and respiratory irritants (air pollutants from idling school buses,
    cleaning products).
  • Start of cold and flu season – schoolchildren, in particular, bring
    home colds, flu and/or COVID-19 to parents and caregivers.
  • Missed medication use during summer – when children and
    adults skip doses of their controller inhaler, they are more likely
    to have an asthma flare in September when exposed to allergy
    and asthma triggers.
  • Increased anxiety and stress with the start of a new school year.

Asthma Stats

  • 20-25% of all children’s asthma hospitalizations occur in September.
  • 13.8 million school days missed annually due to asthma.
  • 14.2 million work days missed annually due to asthma.

Be Proactive and Preventative

  1. Schedule an asthma check-up for children and adults before school begins. Discuss your
    current asthma control at this checkup.
  2. Review your Asthma Action Plan. If necessary, adapt it to plan for increased exposure
    to asthma triggers during September. For children, give a copy to the school nurse/
  3. Make sure all asthma medications are refilled prior to the start of the school year.
  4. Take controller inhalers as prescribed.
  5. Carry a quick-relief inhaler with you at all times, including at home, school and work.
  6. Use a peak flow meter so you are alerted to brewing lung problems.
  7. Know your asthma triggers. If ragweed pollen tends to trigger symptoms,
    consider staying indoors as much as possible.
  8. Get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. If you’re 65+ years of age, get the
    pneumonia vaccine.
  9. Encourage frequent handwashing or use hand sanitizers to reduce the risk of
    catching a cold or a virus.
  10. Talk with an asthma specialist if symptoms are severe and not well controlled
    despite taking a daily controller medication. New medications may help.