News From the RN
Posted September 25, 2025
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
- Schedule an asthma check-up for children and adults before school begins. Discuss your
current asthma control at this checkup.
- 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/
- Make sure all asthma medications are refilled prior to the start of the school year.
- Take controller inhalers as prescribed.
- Carry a quick-relief inhaler with you at all times, including at home, school and work.
- Use a peak flow meter so you are alerted to brewing lung problems.
- Know your asthma triggers. If ragweed pollen tends to trigger symptoms,
consider staying indoors as much as possible.
- Get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. If you’re 65+ years of age, get the
pneumonia vaccine.
- Encourage frequent handwashing or use hand sanitizers to reduce the risk of
catching a cold or a virus.
- Talk with an asthma specialist if symptoms are severe and not well controlled
despite taking a daily controller medication. New medications may help.