No school with runny nose.

[Starry4120]

Previously before Christmas DC’s school said that if children have mild cold like symptoms they can go in.

Now they are seeing keep them off for runny nose, sneezing etc. I’m not dismissing this. I’m aware covid can present like a cold in some cases and the new strain is said to be more likely in children.

But what if you have one of those kids that always have a slight runny nose? Dd is one of those children. She has allergies that we can’t pinpoint at the minute but she wakes up sneezy and watery eyes most mornings (maybe the central heating I’m not sure), the wind and cold air also makes her nose and eyes run.

If shes particularly sniffly I give her an antihistamine. Today was one of those days. Shes off to school still a little sniffle (in later today). I’m certain that in an hour or so she’ll be fine.

She’s really good at respiratory hygiene. Am I really expected to keep her off when she’ll be fine by mid morning?!

Must remind myself to give her an antihistamine before bed hoping it’ll ease her symptoms in the morning!

I think it might be the reaction from the school that will lead you here. Have you spoken to them about it?

Our school sent out comms last night that they are aiming to keep open but have placed very strict guidelines of any cold like symptoms and the kids stay at home.

Yeah mine won’t ever be in.

If it usually stops within an hour can you get her up slightly earlier so it has time to subside before school. If it's a virus the she'll keep snotting and you'll know to keep her off, if it stops then it's probably her normal, so ok to send in.

I haven’t spoken to them yet. They are due to start later in the day today. Will contact them shortly.

It’s so hard. I know she hasn’t got a cold. She’s like this most mornings but some worse than others 😫😫

@ForeverBubblegum agree! They are usually up early around 6-7am but today they weren’t up til 8 (tired after Christmas has affected their routine and because they have a late start). I also got up early and put the central heating on before she got up so that probably didn’t help. I do think the heating can be a trigger. I notice when it’s colder and FYI higher and on for longer she gets really sneezy. I am similar with the heating on. Feel all throaty and congested at times! Crossing my fingers she’ll be okay shortly!

She probably has a dust allergy.

Central heating makes that worse.

I realise that's besides the point though. My son is the same.

@BrightonForWine possibly thank you. I do try and make my house as dust free as possible but yes possibly. She gets hayfever in the summer too! Never ending snot! Thankfully it’s usually mild but some mornings are a little worse.

I sent both mine in at the end of last term with runny noses as they didn't actually have any Covid symptoms. I hope that's not now a new Covid symptom?

No I don’t think so @AlwaysLatte. DC’s school have encouraged children with mild colds to come in but sent a letter home saying to be more vigilant of cold symptoms. I don’t think a child can be made to have a test with those symptoms but I assume the school don’t want snotty children in. DS’s school are really hot in attendance and thankfully haven’t had any positive covid cases but half the kids will be off for the rest of the winter if every child with a runny nose was off!

You are probably doing everything you can and are well aware or maybe already doing so - but have you considered a humidifier for her bedroom if you don’t already have one.

They are generally great for cold and sinus issues anyway so it’s worth having one in the house for those times (you can add olbus / eucalyptus oil) but they are also very good for allergy sufferers.

If you don’t have one it might be worth looking into, they aren’t expensive and you can actually get some cute ones like little pandas which would be nice in a child’s room!

I have a couple, only cheap from Argos and Amazon

Sorry I realise that’s not directly related to your AIBU.

And no in you’re not being. My eldest has snuffled and snorted and snored his whole life, you can hear him breathing downstairs some nights! Surely they will have to use their discretion and common sense, best to talk to them about her allergies and set the scene from the outset

@Starry4120 if you vacuum the radiators (if there the 1s with the vent bit) and her bed and pillow (if you can't get her an anti-allergy 1s) air purifiers are brilliant for dust allergies and hayfever. I would also suggest a vacuum with good filters Dyson make an amazing one for dust allergies which has made things so much better for me.
I know that this may sound daft but if a dose of antihistamine isn't working you really need to see a dr and get a higher/different dose or type of antihistamine and should give it daily (visible symptoms or not) as according to my gp and allergest say its easier to prevent the symptoms than treat them when your already having symptoms 🤷‍♀️

@2020iscancelled thank you! We did have one but need to get a new one. I can be a bit like too! The house can feel very dry with the heating on.

I sent her to school. By that point she seemed fine. It usually takes a couple hours after she wakes up to settle down. I mentioned it to the teacher and she said they are necessarily saying all children with snotty noses should be off but parents should be more vigilant if they seem to have a bad cold or under the weather with it. Some kids just do have snotty noses. It’ll be hayfever season again before long as well. Feels never ending. I’ll have to make sure Dd regularly takes antihistamines.

@Cabinfever10 thank you. I’ve just bought a radiator brush to try get all the excess dust out of them. They don’t seem too bad to be honest.

She has a pillow, mattress and duvet that are meant to be anti allergy. I also wash her bedding weekly.

I do have a dyson but it’s a cordless so probably could get a better one for allergies.

She does however have a shaggy rug in her bedroom that is a nightmare to clean. It looks clean but no doubt has dust in it. I need to shake it out outside or get rid tbh.

Antihistamine liquid she has does seem to work but I need to remember to give her a dose before bed.

Thank you for the info 😀

My son’s nursery are saying the same. Need to be off for 10 days if displaying ANY symptoms of a cold. I’ve told my school I’ll probably have childcare issues as my son has a runny nose / cold every other week during term time. Very frustrating.

Look up non-allergic rhinitis. Essentially just a permanent runny nose and sneezing.

@lineandsinker that sucks. Not as bad as that here. Before Christmas nothing was ever said for a slight runny nose and even very mild coughing - they haven’t had any covid cases at the school either. Small children gets lots of colds. At nursery age mine probably had 4 or 5 colds per winter. Thankfully not so much now they are slightly older.

@MaskingForIt thank you. It’s not really permanent as in all day. Mainly in the morning 😀

She used to quite often have a sticky eye too. Every time she got a cold or runny nose her eyes would be sticky and look like she has conjunctivitis. Took her to the gp who said it wasn’t true conjunctivitis but to do with the glands at the back of her nose becoming really large and mucus exiting through the eyes (not sure on exact terminology sorry) but she’s always been a snotty, sneezy child 🤨