On September 9, the rest of Bermuda's children will be heading back to school with a fresh look.

Some will be clasping their new lunch boxes, others will have new hair styles and shoes and a few will be carrying their ventolin inhaler pumps.

One in seven school children, are affected by asthma and some teachers are not aware of symptoms or how to deal with a child when he or she is experiencing an asthma attack.

Some teachers lack understanding and sympathy and other children can tease or bully the asthmatic child.

Registered nurse and asthma educator Liz Boden -- who visits schools helping staff and students learn about this condition, said: "It is important to remember that asthma is a frightening condition but with a well-educated team which includes child, parent, teachers, school nurse, asthma nurse educator and doctor, asthma can be managed effectively.

"The aim is for all asthmatic children to lead a normal, unrestricted life and with modern treatments this is entirely possible.

Ms Boden added that since schools have been shut up for the summer they are filled with mildew, mould, dust and dust mites.

"Books and equipment haven't been used and they too have been gathering dust.

And these potential allergens are enemies for asthmatics,'' Ms Boden said.

"On top of that, by the second week of term the cold viruses seem to return and many children have their first infection and a return of their asthma after a symptom-free summer.

"Many children return to their preventer inhaler for the winter season at this time.'' Ms Boden said there are many things both parents and teachers can do to ensure the asthmatic child is well taken care of.

What should a parent do to prepare for the new school year? Talk to your child, reminding children of all ages that they must never be afraid to tell someone if they have asthma; Talk to the teacher on the first day; this is particularly important with all pre-school and primary school children; Write down all information about your child's asthma; remember your teacher may be sick and a substitute teacher may be coping with your child while they are experiencing difficulties.

All asthmatic children should have a spare reliever inhaler (usually ventolin) at school with their name on it. Parents of pre-school and primary children should give this to the teacher on the first day of term and it should be sent home and the end of each term.

Clothing -- when the weather changes and sweaters and blazers come out of the closet, please wash them to remove the mildew and mold. DO NOT dry clean asthmatic children's clothing as the chemicals can actually trigger an asthma episode.

Teachers should know: The symptoms of asthma which are coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

But Asthmatic children don't necessarily have to wheeze and five percent of asthmatic children never do; they simply cough and their chest feels tight; What medication/inhaler each child uses, how often it may be used and how to use a spacer device; What to do in an emergency; Observe correct usage -- observe older children and make sure inhalers are not being misused. Any child using daily ventolin has poorly controlled asthma and should return to the doctor for more effective preventive treatment; The World Asthma Council recommends that it should be mandatory to ban all animals from the classroom. Gerbils, rabbits, and hamsters may be a joy to some, but they place the asthmatic child in a potentially life threatening situation. If schools wish to have pets there should be a pets corner outside the school buildings; and Science experiments with chemicals or dissecting animals may cause the teenager asthmatic problems and if symptoms appear the child may well have to be exempt from that part of the course.

Sports may be another problem. Teachers actually can help to diagnose one very common form of asthma known as exercise-induced asthma.

Children may cough, wheeze and be very short of breath with a tight chest following exercise particularly when running in the cooler weather.

This can be treated very simply with a bronchodilator such as ventolin used before exercise. Teachers should inform parents if they suspect a child has exercise-induced asthma.

School trips are an important part of school life and asthmatic children must be encouraged to participate fully in all activities. However, an aquarium visit, a farm or the Botanical Gardens may bring on an asthma episode.

Teachers must make sure that inhalers are taken on all outings and a special watch is kept on the asthmatic child.

Students attention spans -- the allergic, asthmatic child may be having disturbed sleep due to coughing and wheezing and may be tired and have difficulty concentrating during the day. Other children taking liquid ventolin or overusing their ventolin inhaler maybe hyper-active.

Teachers should not punish the child but let parents know that their concerns and treatments can be adjusted (children of all ages can use an inhaler with an appropriate spacer device; ventolin syrup is not ideal for school children).