Inhaled steroids, or inhalation corticosteroids, are used for the prevention of asthma attacks in asthmatics. Those afflicted with this chronic respiratory disease experience swelling and soreness in the bronchial airways, which exhibit a heightened sensitivity to allergens and irritants, according to MedlinePlus. During an asthma attack, the airways constrict causing breathing difficulties, wheezing and chest tightness. Inhalation corticosteroids are long-term preventative compounds that reduce inflammation of the lungs to prevent attacks. They are not "rescue" inhalers and require adherence to prescribed dosing for minimal side effects.
Coughing, Hoarseness, Dry Mouth and Sore Throat
At low doses, inhaled corticosteroids have few side effects. Application may deposit the drug in the mouth and throat as opposed to the lungs, according to MayoClinic.com. This can cause coughing, hoarseness, dry mouth and sore throat in individuals taking the medication. Inhalation steroids are generally safe for adults and children with minimal detrimental effects beside minor discomfort. Properly cleansing the mouth after each dosing by swishing water or mouthwash around the oral cavity significantly reduces the emergence of these side effects.
Thrush
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, oral candidiasis, or thrush, may develop as only 10 to 30 percent of the inhaled steroid actually reaches the lungs. The remainder stays in the mouth or throat, resulting in a proliferation of yeast, or candida. Thrush appears as white patchy lesions on the tongue and the inside of the cheek tissue. Over-the-counter medications can treat a fungal infection of this nature, although it is best to consult a healthcare professional. Using a spacer with a corticosteroid inhaler and rinsing the mouth with water following treatment significantly reduces the chance of thrush.
Inhibited Growth in Children
Studies of inhalation corticosteroids show that medium dosage can affect a child's growth rate, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. In a 1995 study, children aged seven to nine years old used 400 mcg of beclomethasone, a common inhaled steroid, for approximately seven months. The growth of the group significantly decreased in both males and females and there existed no evidence regarding a "catch-up" growth in the upcoming five-month time interval. However, adults exhibited no negative effects regarding height; the side effect exclusively hinders the systemic growth rate of children. Physicians carefully monitor dosing for children, as should parents.
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