While there are no reports of serious problems with infection in children on the sprays, caution is advised if susceptible children on these sprays are exposed to chicken pox or measles. Because of all these cautions, inhaled steroids are generally not first line drugs. They are reserved for more severe asthma. Generally, cromolyn or nedocromil should be tried first. Inhaled steroids are much preferred over systemic steroids for management of asthma, so in situations where children end up taking oral steroids frequently for management of asthma, using the steroid spray to maintain control after discontinuing the oral steroid is an excellent idea.
Steroids are serious medicine, but asthma can be a serious disease.
When steroids are needed, they are excellent medicines. My daughter has been using an inhaled steroid for 12 years. Systemic Steroids - Systemic means taken into the body rather than put directly into the lungs as with a spray or nebulizer. Children who are sick enough to be hospitalized for asthma generally get steroids intravenously. Some physicians will give an injection of Decadron, Depomedrol , or another steroid to patients in their office for acute asthma attacks.