Dealing with sudden allergic attacks can be frightfully difficult when you are at home with people who know your history of attacks and you know will be able to help relieve you in the event of an unexpected allergy attack.
The picture however worsens when you are away from home, without your friends and family to help you. Such is the case for college freshmen, who are just starting to settle in into their new school, with their new friends and in their new dormitory rooms.
Here are some tips that would help college freshmen or anyone who is away from home whether for a few days or a few months.

See your doctor one last time.
Visit your personal doctor before you live town. Be sure that you inform him or her that you’ll be away. That way, the doctor can give you advise on how to manage and relieve allergic reactions while away. Your doctor may also give you prescriptions for your medications. This is especially important if your medication cannot be bought over the counter.

Coordinate with the school clinic and community center.
Forewarned is forearmed. It is important that you prepare for any eventualities. Ask for any tips on how to manage your allergy in case it attacks especially on what medications to take for allergy relief. The community center will also be able to give you information on allergy relief injections that you can avail of.

Emergency numbers.
Place emergency information inside you bag and room. Inform your roommate of your problem and leave the emergency information with her. Include the name and number of your physician in the information. That way, people will be able to easily access your case history during an emergency.

Allergy relief medicines on standby.
Always keep allergy relief medicines in your dormitory room and in your bag. Let people know where you out the medicines so that they will know where to get it when you are having an allergy attack and need a fast relief.

Request for a non-smoker roommate.
Smoke can sometimes cause allergic reactions to some people and may exacerbate an allergic reaction because of blockages it brings on to the nasal openings. If you are allergic to smoke, then you have every right to request for a roommate who does not smoke. Tell school officials about your predicament. They will understand for sure and may even help you in getting allergy relief.

Clean. Clean. Clean!
If you are for example allergic to bedding and dust mites, it is good to avoid carpets inside the room and any hairy materials such as stuff toys. If it is possible, also inform your room mate not to display such item anymore.
Beddings should be washed every week to get rid of dust mites that may cause allergic reactions. Wash them I hot water and dry in hot drier to kill off dust mites that may still inhabit the place.
Also, be on the lookout for cockroaches and molds, which may trigger allergic reactions. Make sure that you clean your place thoroughly before unpacking your things.

Be careful with your food.
As much as possible prepare your own food. Most dormitories however do not provide kitchens inside the rooms. If you have to eat in cafeteria, make sure that you use your own utensils to avoid eating from utensils that still have traces of other food.
Also, be careful in eating in school cafeteria as most serving utensils are used for a variety of foods.