Inhaler allergies

[Vitali-ep]

Hello,

I have had asthma for many years, only recently I have found a few things out.

I have been using clenil modulite inhaler, but I have periods of being well and periods of feeling ill and have skin issues at same time when unwell.

My asthma has now got out of control with many exacerbations, resulting in oral steroids around 30 times over 8yr period with long term side effects, but that's another story.

Basically after trying out new inhalers, Asthmanex, easyhaler, symbicourt and few others, I am allergic to the ingredients in them, I get a sunburn like rash, flaky skin and feel dreadful.

Seeing specialist soon, I have read briefly about an injection option, does anyone have experience of this and how it works? I do not see any other option... I did get given montelukast tablets but the side effects of those look horrendous

any help appreciated

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, do you know if there's a common ingredient in all the ones you've had? Has everything been a powder type, or was it a mix of powders and sprays?

Just to check, as you mentioned you get skin issues when you're unwell and that the inhalers seem to also cause skin issuse and make you feel unwell: it couldn't be that the effects are linked to your asthma rather than the inhalers? I'm obviously not saying you're not allergic to the inhalers, that's not my place and I don't have the details. But just another angle to consider as you mentioned your asthma has been worse.

The injections are different targeted drugs also called biologics (there are about 6 now, with different criteria to get them). Each one targets a specific part of the immune system associated with certain types of asthma - though there is a new one called tezepelumab/Tezspire which seems to work for a wider range of asthma types. If your skin problems are due to eczema, which I think is fairly common alongside asthma, then there is one which is used to treat both certain types of severe asthma and also eczema, called dupilumab (Dupixent). This targets a part of the immune system involved in both allergic asthma and eczema. I don't know if you'd be eligible, but it may be worth asking about if you do have eczema.

If your asthma is allergic then it is worth trying montelukast. If you don't get on with it, you can always stop it, but it may help, without the issues you've had with inhalers. Absolutely loads of people take it with minimal to no side effects, and it either works well for them or doesn't, but even people it doesn't work for can take it with no side effects.

I'm not saying you wouldn't have any side effects at all, but most of the high profile serious ones were in children and teenagers on too high a dose - which has now been reduced. It's also worth remembering that people who are fine on a medication don't tend to talk about it online, so if you read about it it looks like everyone gets side effects. Also, if you look at the leaflet they are legally obliged to mention absolutely everything. That doesn't mean you will get all or even any of them, just that they have happened in some people.

Also, to be blunt - montelukast generally doesn't have nearly as many side effects as oral steroids. Getting your asthma more controlled would mean fewer oral steroids needed.

If you want to chat through things, you can always call the nurses on: 0300 2225800 or WhatsApp [phone] Monday-Friday 0915-5pm (except bank holidays).

[Vitali-ep in reply to Lysistrata]

Hello, thanks for the reply

The allergy is definitely to the inhaler, I have tried powder and spray ones.

2 to 3 days after using a sunburn rash appears on my face bright red, and flaky skin on face, neck, head and I feel terrible.

then after stopping a week later I get better, rash goes and skin clears up totally.

What I am using at the moment clenil modulite, only gives me mild symptoms on and off of above but not the sun burn rash, but as soon as I get a cough or cold I cannot breath after it clears up and gets worse till the point I need prednisone for up to 10 days.

Therefore the GP wants to give me a stronger dose inhaler, but as I said I have tried about 5 or 6 different ones all with the same problem.

I can live ok ish on the clenil as long as I do not ever get a cold or cough......(bit impossible tbh I get 3 to 4 a year at the moment)

I also have long term symptoms of really thin skin, like tissue paper, I have had my shins stitched up 7 times (when they can get the stitches in cause skin just breaks) just by bumping into things. I bruise like a peach too all over and have bone pain in my back, elbow and knees.

I have a referral to see specialist, my personal thought would be to push for injections... as I already do injections of b12 myself for different problem.

Thanks

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Vitali-ep]

Regarding colds: avoid hand shaking with anyone. Think- a person coughs into the hand , which gets infected; droplets land on the hand and then a person shakes hands and you get the droplets.

Hand washing so important as well as avoiding sick and crowds. I noticed rare colds with taking Vit D.

An allergist should be able to help finding the specific allergen in your case.

(Retired nurse anesthetist here. With asthma)

[Vitali-ep in reply to Karenjaninaz]

You should see me avoiding people that look ill or cough but when my family and kids get it, very hard not to get it as well....

I try not to go out for long periods in the winter as this causes it too

[Patk1 in reply to Vitali-ep]

I have antibac handgel everywhere - in bathroom,lounge,kitchen, car and bag and wear a mask in shops or if grandkids have colds.bugs on door handles,loo flusher etc.i avoid touching them or gel/ hand wash if need to. I take montelukast with no problem and 2 antihistamines too.montelukast has been a real game changer for now 5yr old grandsons asthma x

[Troilus]

Hi Vitali-ep. Do you have a lactose allergy? I ask because I found an article on line when I was looking into carbon friendly inhalers which listed ingredients and I was surprised to find quite a few contain lactose.

[Vitali-ep]

not that I am aware of but it is an interesting point I can mention

[Troilus in reply to Vitali-ep]

If memory serves me well, lactose is commonly found in dry powder inhalers.

[fraid]

Poor thing, don't know if it helps but I realised that Clenil and Qvar actually gave me asthma! So pharmacist put me on Flixotide - soooo much better. App. You can be allergic not just to carrier but also the drug, there are many to choose from but Flixotide works for me. Good luck.🤞

[MindfulBreathing]

Hi, I have been taking montelukast for many years and have never experienced any side effects. However you might have allergies that conflict, so best to check in detail with your asthma nurse or doctor. Best wishes

[CraftyLego]

I haven't experienced any side effects apart from possibly more bizarre dreams.

[Babbela]

All I can say montelukast has worked wonders for my allergies therefore my asthma has been a lot better controlled. I haven't had any side effects been taking them for 3 years .

[Horsemadfamily in reply to Babbela]

Hi can I ask what your allergic to and your experiences. I have been on Montelukast and 360mg of Fexofenadine per day for about 4 months I had some benefit in the first few weeks but now I'm back to relying on Symbicort 4 to 6 times per day. I'm allergic to cats, dogs, horses, grass pollen and mould. There's probably a lot more that I haven't been tested for. I'm just about giving up hope of ever being able to breath vaguely easily again.

[Vitali-ep]

My main allergies are animals, especially horses, I did a horse ride with work one time, and I stroked the horse while riding it and touched my face..... bad news, afterwards we had meal, I could not see at all, my eyes well swollen like golf balls...