is asthma steroids harmfull for childen , what are the side affects?

Answer 1

Steroids for asthma divide broadly in to 2 types, oral and inhaled.

Oral steroids used to frighten doctors most as they definitely produce adrenal suppression if given for prolonged periods. This is occasionally the only option in very severe brittle asthmatic. However most often they are given in 5-10 day acute courses, from which the body rapidly recovers.

Inhaled steroids were thought to be very safe, and until about 8 years ago the guidelines allowed high doses in small children. However, these guidelines failed to take into account that the potency, of the newer inhaled steroids, was sufficient for it to produce adrenal sufficiency. As a result there were unfortunately a few deaths.

The guidelines were rewritten massively reducing the maximum permitted doses, and since then there have been few problems.

Answer 2

If your child has to have steroids for asthma talk to your GP about any concerns you have. Our family has asthma as do both our grandsons and we all, from time to time have had to use steroids. There can be cause for concern with this type of medication in that it can, in high doses and used regularly, cause stunted growth but we can say that this doesn't always happen because our youngest grandson has had steroids regularly and he is tall for his age. There are varied reasons why a child develops asthma. Sometimes it is caused by premature birth and the lungs being immature at birth. Sometimes it is caused by environmental issues eg. living near industrial areas but whatever the cause steroids are necessary as an attack left untreated can lead to death. Asthma attacks in children and babies are very frightening both for the child and the parents. When our daughter was a baby she developed asthma after getting broncilitas. You may find that your child is more active, eats more and has trouble sleeping but these side effects are really a small price to pay when you think of the alternative of not using them!

Answer 3

If a child has asthma that requires consideration for steroids, do use it.

Why?
1. We usually use inhaled steroids (unless its an acute situation when we use oral medications). Inhaled steroids give very little whole-body side effects that you get with oral steroids, example of these include poor bone growth, short stature, increased infection risk, suppression of adrenal glands etc. So you get the benefits of steroids but little of the major side effects (unless the dose is unusually high)

2. Children tolerate asthma attacks more poorly than do adults as they have lower capacity to tolerate these attacks. I.e They can deteriorate very quickly if they are poorly controlled

3. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. It WILL cause deteriorating lung function if left to wreck havoc.... and as our maximum lung capacity is reached when we hit 25years old, and then start to deteriorate from then on, if we do not reach our peak (as can happen if a child gets frequent asthma attacks), there's less reserve capacity in the future.

Some issues with inhaled steroids are

1. Oral thrush - to address this problem, always gargle after using the puffer (or use the puffer before food/drink)

2. Hoarseness - gargle/drink water

3. Dysphonia - which means change in the pitch of voice, usually doesn't really affect the person much, but there's little to do to avoid this one if it happens

Do follow your physicians advice regarding asthma control especially in a child.

Answer 4

Indeed they are. It can cause growth problems and even sterilization in later years. I have a son who had severe asthma when he was a baby. we used steroids and he would have screaming fits for an hour after treatment. He was jittery and had other side effects that really made me think twice about giving him the meds. Now he uses Xango, an all natural mangosteen juice. He has not had any problems with asthma in a long while. Over 2 years. If you can avoid it, do not place your child on steroids! Benefits may be great now, but side effects of excessive usage are not!

Answer 5

i had asthma when i was young, if the child takes the meds they'll be fine and probaly grow out of the condition don't worry about cleaning the house it's normally only one thing that will set of an attack like walking into the wind etc it can be anything chocolate can set it off in some people. the best thing is to make sure the child lives a nomal live but knows how to take the medication when need you can get plently off information and stories to explain to the child the condition look on the net. when i use to take to much of my steroids in panic i use to shake but i could have died if i didn't. also have a look at the york test it's an allergie tape tell it could tell you the tigger. swimming is also good way to help the lungs gain strength. good luck and don't make it a bad thing you'll only stress the child. also when they are having an attack talk calm slow and counting slow can also help slow the breathing down while taking the meds don't invade there space they'll freak out good luck email me if you need anything else ps studying biomed

Answer 6

If the doctor has prescribed them for the child they need to take them. I've seen it save lives. If it's an inhaled steroid they could get thrush(yeast) in the mouth if not rinsed after use. Usually kids are on steroids so short of a time period that the pros out way the cons. The pharmacist should be able to give a print out of possible side effects if you are that concerned.
The airway is number one!!!

Answer 7

Any steriods are bad for the body but the benefits outweigh the risks and side effects when used for severe medical conditions like asthma. The best thing one can do though is to get rid of all of the toxic cleaning, laundry and personal products in the home and replace them with all natural ones. Many cleaners you get from the regular store are registered pesticides. Once you get the new cleaners and laundry products take your old ones to your nearest toxic waste place as it is ILLEGAL to put these in your regular trash. They are toxic and cannot be thrown out with your normal trash. Next clean your whole house and shampoo all carpets and furniture with the new safer products and wash all clothing and bedding in the new products. Your child should need less asthma meds once you get rid of part of the cause of the problem.

Answer 8

Hi my son had bad childhood asthma and was given several steroid inhalers. When he was very young he was given them through a nebuliser and to encourage him to take them i used to sit him on my knee. I got impetigo in my nose due to inhaling some and he got thrush in his throat. I believe the benefits out weigh the side effects though and I know there are none steroidal treatments available but my son did not suit these. I removed all soft furnishings from his room i.e. curtains and replaced them with blinds. I also bought a vacuum cleaner to remove house dust mite, he now seems to be growing out of childhood asthma. Good luck a frightening problem to witness especially in your children.

Answer 9

they are commonly used and as someone else said benefits outweight risks. make sure they rinse their mouth after using a steroid inhaler as it can thin the skin and cause thrush if this is not done.

Answer 10

if your talking about inhalers, dont worry as the doctors all know about asthma, after awhile they can cause a sore mouth, eg. thrushand other small problems, but if your child needs them, your doctor will prescribe them.