How to Manage Your Allergies in College

Allergies aren't fun for anyone, student or not. But with these helpful tips, you can avoid allergic reactions and have a great time at college with less hinderance.

Millions of people all over the US are currently dealing with allergies, with 22% of college students having asthma, sinusitis, or a food allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Moreover, some students appear to be risking their health, as only 3.5% have informed campus dining services about their allergies. Living with sensitivities to allergens can be inconvenient, but managing your allergies is the key to staying healthy while living on campus. Here’s a guide to help you cope with your allergies in college. 

Create a healthy dorm environment

If you know what triggers your allergies, then you likely know well enough to stay away from them. But if certain allergens can be found in your dorm room, it’s a good idea to get help in creating a healthy dorm environment. For instance, if your asthma or allergy gets triggered by the presence of pests such as cockroaches or rodents, you may want to inform dorm services to call a professional about dealing with the infestation.

The same goes if you’re allergic to mold—have your school call an expert to get rid of the problem, as doing it yourself may cause your allergies to flare up. Once your dorm room is free of pests or mold, maintain its cleanliness by sweeping the floors and keeping your room well ventilated regularly. You may also consider using a HEPA filter to improve your indoor air, which is especially useful for those with pollen, dust, or perfume allergies. 

Related: From Mold to Mice: How to Deal With Dorm Room Issues

Let your roommates know about your allergies

Some people may not want to disclose their health issues to others, but if you have allergies, it’s crucial to inform the people you live with about your health condition. Doing so enables them to be prepared in case you have an allergic reaction, and it may even save your life. Provide them with numbers to call in case of an emergency, and let them know where you keep your medication or EpiPen so they can act fast if you have an allergic reaction on campus. It also helps to have a written plan of action that details what your roommate should do in case something triggers your allergies. Consider even informing an authority figure like an RA about your allergies as an extra precaution, especially if your symptoms can be quite serious.

Be vigilant

Students often neglect their health due to busy schedules, but those with allergies should live a healthy lifestyle and be vigilant in order to manage their symptoms. Apart from regular handwashing, proper disinfection of surfaces should also be done regularly to prevent the spread of allergens. If you have food allergies, remember to wipe your tray clean with a disinfectant wipe before putting any food items on it to prevent cross-contamination. Be sure to avoid smoking and areas where people smoke or vape, as it may exacerbate asthma or trigger allergies. And remember to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and make time for exercise to boost your immune system, as doing so can help you control your allergy symptoms.

Related: Video: How to Stay Healthy in College

Dealing with allergies can be quite stressful when you’re on campus, but by being open with your roommates, keeping a clean environment, and staying vigilant, you can manage your symptoms and prevent allergic reactions. Try these tips to stay healthy and to prevent allergies from affecting your college life.

For more advice on living your best life on campus, check out our Student Life section!

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Ali Williams

Ali Williams is a freelance writer who enjoys reporting on health, finance, and other important topics for students.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Mercer University

Macon, GA


Brooke Maggio

Brooke Maggio

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has helped me tremendously in my college search in narrowing down the schools I’m interested in. Using the college search tool, I was able to narrow down my choices to schools that matched what I was looking for. I also used CollegeXpress for their scholarship search, which helped me find scholarships that I meet the requirements of.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah

High School Class of 2022

My mother signed me up for a couple of scholarship contests through CollegeXpress. I was also able to do some research and compare the different schools on my list. I was able to see the graduation rates and different programs that helped me decide on Adelphi University. I will continue looking for some scholarships for my start in September.

Rayan Hamdan

Rayan Hamdan

High School Student

I joined CollegeXpress just a few months ago. I had been struggling with severe anxiety, causing me to not be able to tour schools and make sure a college would be perfect for me. I came across CollegeXpress one day when I was searching for colleges online, and it completely changed the game. I was easily able to choose colleges that would suit me, and I also entered a few giveaways! Thank you so much!

Ida Akoto-Wiafe

Ida Akoto-Wiafe

High School Class of 2022

I wanted a school that wasn't too far away from home and could provide me with a full-ride scholarship. CollegeXpress helped me put into perspective the money I had to pay to attend those schools, which ultimately drove me to choose to attend a community college first to get used to being in college before transferring to the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, one of the colleges I was able to research further on CollegeXpress.

Leah Maciel

Leah Maciel

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has helped me with all aspects of applying for college. The website is extremely easy to navigate and gives access to so many resources. I was able to research all of the colleges I was interested in, find out any information I wished to know about, and keep them organized in a list. I've also been able to research scholarships and save them as resources for later. I've used many websites in my college and scholarship search, and CollegeXpress has by far been my favorite one to use.