Face Rash and Flovent in Toddler?

[unclepp]

Hi. My 20 month old son has had a rash on his face for about five months. It began all around his eyes. Now it is distinctly shaped like the nose/mask he wears for two puffs a day of Flovent to treat reactive airway/asthma. (FYI, when it was around his eyes, he was receiveing nebulizer tx twice a day, also with a mouth/nose mask, but it kind of blew into his eyes. Roughly the change to it being nose/mouth centered correlates with the switch to the Flovent inhaler.) We've seen an asthma and allergy specialist and our ped is super attentive--but we can't figure out what to do. The specialist recommended we d/c the Flovent to see if it's that--but even the ped was reluctant to take him off the asthma tx to treat the rash. Not sure how to procede...The rash is red and bumpy and often angry looking. Son doesn't scratch it or seem annoyed. Doesn't look dry, crusty, weepy. Gets better and worse (seemingly at random). We've eliminated dairy and gluten from his diet as a possibility--does seem to be better when he's had no milk, but he's been scratch tested twice for that and was neg to all allergens tested. Hmmm....is there a doctor who could offer some direction? thank you so much.

[momofpreemieanda8yrold]

Hey my daughter is on flovent. It is because flovent can cause thrush and a rash.. but I want to make sure...we are talking about flovent and not ventilin.. though vent will cause rashes too. The reason it appears to be better with no milk would be most likely due to the fact that flovent, can cause thrush, that is why you should have your child rinse their mouth or give them a drink of water after using it. Or better yet brush their teeth. This works wonders. IT will help keep it out of their mouth. Also, for the face aspect. Try washing your childs face with a warm cloth after each mask. This can help greatly. it is not harmful to the child to have the rash.... It sounds like a side effect of the flovent. Try washing the childs face after the mask. make sure childs face is not wet prior to giving the mask as well and make sure the face is clean prior to the mask. It will help as well.

[Tonya1125]

I'm not a doctor but could he be having a reaction to the mask itself? If not, ask your doctor if it could be the chemicals in the propellent. Maybe your doctor could switch the Flovent to another solution without that kind of propellent in it.  Ask your sons doctor about Albuterol Sulfate and Pulmicort treatments. My three year old son had a reaction to an asthma medication in the past. He has been using a mixture of these two solutions every since with no problem. As I said I am far from having a PH.D but I hope this helps:) Good luck!

[margypops]

Good post for others to see busyfaith thank you, I have heard about Flovent and the problems of rashes .

[busyfaith]

I'd have your Dr. switch your son to a combo of Pulmicort (preventative) and Xoponex (steroid) for breathing treatments. This combined with Zyrtec in the morning would work wonders. Also, if during pollen season, etc. he needed a little something else Singulair in the evening would do the trick. I would never use Flovent again. You have to advocate for your child. Flovent did the SAME THING to my child. Some times parents do know better b/c we see what happens with our child and when. The above regimen is what our Allergist has my son on and he is one of the most allergic and asthmatic patients he's had in his 30 plus years of practicing. Stop the Flovent and don't use it again!! :))

[Thareerat]

Wow- my daughter started to develop this unknown red/purplish around her mouth too.  It comes and goes very randomly.  I was just starting to think that it may have been because of her asthma meds (Ventolin or Flovent) due to the shape of the rash around her mouth looking like mask shape.  Sure enough I was correct.  Based on your helpful postings.  Thanks so much.  It's such a relieve to know that its not something more serious.  I really like the rinsing and wiping with wet cloth idea to prevent the rash.  Seems logical and organic enough without the use of medications.  But will make sure to ask for out ped for a topical clindamycin and an oral erythromycin/sulfa on hand.  

[MSJD]

My 2-yr-old daughter had this problem.  It was FINALLY diagnosed by a spectacular pediatric dermatologist as perioral dermatitis.  It is a systemic (not topical) reaction to the Flovent.  A course of treatment with topical clindamycin and an oral erythromycin/sulfa combination cleared it up beautifully.  This after the general pediatrician had tried antifunglals, steroid creams, and antiobiotic ointments to no avail for months.  I hope this information isn't too late to help you.  The available medical literature supports that this is a growing problem, as more and more little kids are put on maintenance steroids for asthma and other conditions -- check it out by searching PubMed, and then tell your pediatrician..... hopefully, yours will listen to you! (mine didn't for a long time.)

Good luck.

[OliverC]

What did you search on pub med specifically?

[Kar2222]

Did the rash stay away after this treatment or continue to reoccur?

[specialmom]

Hi Kar2222, is your child having this?  

[VV02]

Hi,

My son has a similar problem starting middle of January. He is using Flovent since last May. But developed the rash around his mouth only now. Till then his face was so clear. I did not start him on any new food either.He is allergic to milk though.

The rash was getting better with desonide 0.05% but still persistent (less in intensity). i stopped using the steroid cream and it flared up into the angry red skin.

My Dermatologist mentioned something called Perioral Dermatitis (prescribed an antibiotic cream) and my allergist thinks it could be because of the Flovent mask (prescribed an anti fungal cream). I am in a dilemma right now.

Did you find a resolution?

Thanks