Every September, hospitals and clinics across the country see a predictable rise in asthma attacks, emergency visits, and hospitalizations. This phenomenon is so common that it has a name—the September Asthma Spike.1
The peak usually hits about 17 days after Labor Day, when children have settled back into school and are exposed to a perfect storm of asthma triggers: ragweed pollen, mold growth, viral infections, and the challenges of older school buildings with poor indoor air quality. Add in the stress of a new school year, and it’s no wonder asthma episodes surge.
The good news? With preparation, you can greatly reduce the risk of flare-ups. Here are seven important ways to prepare for September’s asthma challenges.
1. Meet with Your Healthcare Provider and Update Your Asthma Action Plan
One of the most powerful steps you can take is scheduling an early fall check-up with your child’s doctor or asthma specialist. This visit is an opportunity to review current symptoms, fine-tune medications, and make sure inhalers are not expired.
It’s also the time to create or update your Asthma Action Plan—a written guide that explains how to manage asthma daily, recognize when symptoms are worsening, and know exactly what to do in an emergency.
Asthma Action Plans typically break management into three “zones.”
- Green Zone: Covers daily life when symptoms are under control, outlining which controller medications to take and how often.
- Yellow Zone: Details what to do when symptoms start to worsen—such as coughing, wheezing, or needing a rescue inhaler more frequently. This section often includes step-up instructions, like increasing quick-relief medication or monitoring peak flow more closely.
- Red Zone: Covers emergencies, with clear directions to take immediate medication, call the doctor, or dial 911 if symptoms don’t improve.
Your plan should also list your child’s specific triggers (ragweed, mold, dust, or respiratory infections), the names and doses of all medications, peak flow meter ranges (if your doctor recommends using one), and emergency contacts.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides an excellent template you can download and complete with your healthcare provider: Asthma Action Plan (PDF). Once finished, make copies for teachers, the school nurse, caregivers, and coaches so everyone knows how to help in the event of an attack.
2. Stay Ahead of Seasonal Allergies
September falls in the heart of ragweed season, and ragweed is one of the most powerful asthma triggers. For people with allergic asthma, ragweed pollen doesn’t just cause sneezing and watery eyes—it can also make breathing much harder. Ragweed levels are often highest in the middle of September, right when children are returning to school, which is part of why this month is so difficult for asthma sufferers.
To reduce exposure, keep windows closed on high-pollen days and monitor local pollen counts through weather apps or allergy reports. After outdoor play, children should change clothes and shower to wash off pollen particles. For those with severe allergies, talk with your child’s doctor about allergy medications or other treatments that can help ease the burden of ragweed season.
3. Limit Mold Exposure
Mold is another common September trigger. As leaves begin to fall, they collect on the ground, and when they become damp, they provide the perfect conditions for mold growth. Children who play in leaf piles can easily breathe in mold spores that irritate the lungs. Indoors, mold can thrive in damp basements, bathrooms, or school buildings with leaks or humidity problems.
To reduce risk, avoid raking or playing in wet leaves–a trigger many parents likely haven’t considered. Also use a dehumidifier at home if indoor humidity is above 50%. If you notice water damage or dampness at school, notify teachers or administrators—mold exposure in classrooms can quickly worsen asthma symptoms.
4. Protect Against Respiratory Infections
The return to school also brings the return of shared germs. Classrooms, buses, and cafeterias put children in close contact, making it easy for respiratory viruses to spread. Colds, flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are all known to make asthma worse, as infections inflame the airways and make breathing more difficult.
The best protection is prevention. Practicing good hand hygiene is a crucial step. Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching their faces, and stay home if they’re not feeling well. In some cases, wearing a well-fitting N95 mask in crowded indoor spaces or when wildfire smoke is present can add an extra layer of protection.
5. Communicate with Teachers and School Staff
Your child spends most of their day at school, so it’s critical that teachers, coaches, and the school nurse understand their asthma needs. Provide each of them with a copy of your child’s Asthma Action Plan and take time to walk through it together. Review how to recognize early warning signs, how to administer medications, and when to call for emergency help.
It’s also important to discuss where your child’s quick-relief inhaler will be stored and whether they’re allowed to carry it with them. Policies vary by school district, so clarify the rules in advance. Remind staff of classroom triggers, like pets, air fresheners, or keeping windows open during pollen season. The more informed the adults around your child are, the more likely they’ll be able to respond quickly and appropriately during an asthma episode.
6. Support Healthy Habits and Stress Management
Remember that overall health plays an important role in asthma control. Stress, fatigue, and even weather changes can trigger asthma symptoms. Back-to-school season can be overwhelming, so helping your child maintain consistent routines is key. Encourage plenty of sleep, healthy meals, hydration, and some downtime each day. Exercise can also be helpful, but make sure your child’s asthma is well-controlled before engaging in vigorous activity outdoors during peak pollen days.
7. Improve Indoor Air Quality
The quality of the air inside schools and homes plays a major role in asthma control. Many school buildings are older and may have issues with ventilation, mold, or dust buildup in carpets. Cleaning products, classroom pets, and even open windows on high-pollen days can add to the problem.
At home, you can take steps to create a safer environment by using an air purifier with medical-grade HEPA and activated carbon filtration, like Austin Air Purifiers. These units capture airborne allergens, mold spores, and pollution that can worsen asthma. Regularly vacuuming with a HEPA filter and washing bedding in hot water can also reduce dust mites and other triggers.
At school, don’t hesitate to talk with administrators about ventilation systems, cleaning practices, and how they handle indoor air quality. Advocating for healthier air benefits all students and educators, not just those with asthma. See our Parent Teacher Toolkit for ideas on how to fundraise for an Austin Air Purifier for your child’s classroom.
Clean Air as a Proven Defense
For families managing asthma, controlling the air inside your home can make a measurable difference. Austin Air is clinically proven to reduce asthma symptoms and improve quality of life in people living with the condition. In fact, many of our studies were conducted in asthmatic populations, and the results showed that participants experienced fewer symptoms and better overall health outcomes when Austin Air purifiers were in use.
One of the key findings from this research is the importance of having multiple purifiers placed in different rooms. Because asthma triggers like allergens, viruses, and pollutants don’t stay confined to one space, clean air shouldn’t stop at a single doorway. That’s why we offer the Asthma, Allergy, and COPD Multi Room Defense System—a bundle designed to protect the entire home. By creating a network of clean-air zones, families can reduce exposure to triggers around the clock, no matter where daily life happens.
As September’s Asthma Spike brings added risks, taking steps to ensure every room in your home has clean, healthy air is one of the most effective ways to protect those you love.
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The September Asthma Spike can feel daunting, but with preparation, families can greatly reduce the risk of flare-ups. An updated Asthma Action Plan, good communication with schools, and strategies for managing allergens and infections all work together to keep asthma under control. Combined with healthier air at home and school, these steps can help ensure your child breathes easier and enjoys a safer, healthier back-to-school season.
REFERENCES
1 September Asthma peak (2024 September 6). Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/asthma/living-with-asthma/september-asthma-peak-month/.
