( CNN ) -- Many parents do n't realize that the worst asthma day of the year actually occurs in September . Clinical studies have shown that greatest number of hospitalizations due to asthma peak 17 days after Labor Day , which in 2013 will be September 19 . Why ? As students return to school , there are a number of external factors , including respiratory allergens , viral infections and environmental irritants that can act together to create a `` perfect storm '' of asthma triggers . To better understand the September phenomenon , we need to better characterize some of the underlying causes . Outdoor allergens may seem to be the most obvious trigger . Ragweed , one the largest contributors to upper respiratory symptoms in the United States , produces pollen most aggressively after mid-August . However , indoor allergens can be a much more serious issue for patients with asthma . Schools across the United States contain a number of potential respiratory allergens , including mold , dust mites , pet dander and , in some cases , cockroaches and mice . When children switch from a summertime outdoor environment to a climate-controlled indoor environment , overall daily exposure to these allergens can increase and severe symptoms can result . What 's in a pollen count anyway ? Additionally , even though `` flu season '' is commonly known as a winter phenomenon , contagious viral infections are spread and shared as much , if not more , in September as they are in January . The school week is spent in an enclosed space with hundreds of other children ( many of whom do not have sophisticated hygiene practices ) , which can provide stress to any student 's immune system . Catching `` the common cold '' can cause additional problems for a child with asthma . Many respiratory infections can lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms . Indoor air particulates such as aerosols , chalk dust and other irritants , can also lead to an increase in asthma symptoms . While these irritants may not trigger a true IgE allergen response , they can cause rhinitis and other conditions that can exacerbate asthma . American kids have higher allergy risk . For patients with allergic asthma , exposure to allergens , infections and irritants can make mid-September a very challenging time . In addition , the combination of virus and sensitization with high allergen exposure substantially increases the risk of hospital admission . So what can parents do to avoid these asthma triggers ? Good preparation includes education . During a back-to-school wellness check-up , it 's a good idea for parents to talk with their family clinician about both allergies and asthma if they suspect their child may be experiencing either condition . After understanding the history of the symptoms , the clinician may order an allergy blood test to determine if possible allergic triggers are contributing to the asthma and other allergy-like symptoms . If testing does identify allergic sensitization , a clinician can then advise parents on how to manage exposure to the allergens . The first step in any allergy treatment plan is to avoid exposure as much as possible . While it may be almost impossible to remove all dust mites from a school , reducing exposure to them at home is a much more manageable task . Allergen-proof pillowcase covers can dramatically reduce exposure to dust mites , and since allergy symptoms usually occur because of cumulative exposure , allergen avoidance at night may help a child feel better all day long . The same is true for mold and other allergens . It may be easier to control mold in the home environment ( bathroom and/or bedroom ) rather than the school environment . The key to effectively reducing a patient 's exposure to allergens is to know which triggers to specifically target . The `` September Asthma Epidemic '' is coming , but with appropriate preparation and education , it can be managed . If you 're unsure about your child 's risk , speak with your doctor about his or her past history and consider testing . Together you and your family clinician can determine which triggers might affect your child and create a plan to better manage the epidemic . Air pollution killing more than 2 million annually .
Asthma hospitalizations peak 17 days after Labor Day , studies show . Outdoor and indoor allergens can work together to create ` ` perfect storm '' for asthma . Contagious viral infections can also play a role when students go back to school .