My 3.3 year old son has allergic rhinitis. Can I use Budecord inhaler?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is 3.3 years old. Last year, he had three episodes of allergic rhinitis and one episode of allergic conjunctivitis. This year, our pediatrician asked us to get an allergy test done, and he put my son on Momeflo, Nukast 4, and Levolin inhaler. We found out that he is allergic to dust mites, oranges, and mutton.

We are taking precautions and medicines as advised. Beginning this year, he got a cold that lasted for around 15 days. But the doctor did not give any new medicine. Now, my son has a mild cough at night, but he is fine during the day. He got allergic conjunctivitis around the same time, and we used Pataday and Mosi D for a week. Immediately after starting the eye drops, we saw him develop a cold, and after a few days, a dry cough.

Now he has started Budecort inhaler, which is to be continued for eight weeks. I am fine with the medicines, but as it is a steroid, I am worried about the prolonged use. Please note that I have never seen him wheeze or have breathing difficulty. All the episodes of cold start with a runny nose, and if left untreated for a week, he develops a cough.

He has no episode which has started with a cough directly, so somehow I feel it is the rhinitis that is not controlled. And the doctor says that he has asthma, but I do not see any symptoms of it. What is going on with my son?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Asthma can sometimes present as a cough and allergic reactions in the skin. This is called atopy. You are doing right by avoiding the potential allergens. There are two types of treatment in asthma: one is a steroid, and the other is a beta-agonist.

It depends on the severity of asthma whether steroids are to be started or not. Since he does not have wheezing, he might be having milder asthma, which is likely to get better with age. Inhaled steroids do not cause many side effects. If your doctor is giving him inhaled steroids, then let it be, because he might have assessed the severity and may be after a few years it will wane off.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you can start an inhaler on low doses. It can be tapered down, provided the body itself cures asthma because these medications are not curative, but are rather preventive. So, if your son's immunity gradually overcomes it, then only he will be able to get rid of the medicines.

You can read the guidelines on asthma for more clarification of the concept of the disease. Homeopathic medicines can be taken along with this. Remember, only our body decides the future of the disease and not medicines. Allopathic medicines can prevent the symptoms and help to lead a normal and healthy life.

I hope this helps.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.