Side effects of steroids children

Although children are usually given the chicken pox vaccine, if your child is receiving high-dose steroids we recommend siblings or other close family members have it. Please ask your doctor for more information about immunisations. Our adrenal and reproductive glands naturally produce hormonal substances called steroids. There are many types of steroids and all have different effects on the body.

• If you have any concerns or questions, speak with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are having steroids in these ways, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can give you more information.
• You may need a one-off, short course to help you treat a flare-up or an asthma attack.
• This can help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and eczema.
• There are many types of steroids and all have different effects on the body.

It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. If your child has to use steroids for a long time, it can lead to increased pressure in the eyes (known as ‘ocular hypertension’). This high pressure can damage parts of the eye vital for vision, such as the optic nerve.

Steroid tablets short-term

Secondly, side effects are more likely if steroids are taken long-term or at high doses. Before prescribing steroids, doctors always consider the risks and the benefits. Even though steroids have some side effects, they can also be a life-saving treatment. Taking a steroid preventer inhaler for asthma means you’re less likely to react to your asthma triggers like pollen, pollution, stress, and exercise.

• Topical corticosteroids (creams, gels or lotions) may lead to thinning or darkening of the skin.
• The effect of Prednisolone Tablets on the ability to drive or use machinery has not been evaluated.
• If your side effects are severe, they might lower your dose of steroids.
• This can increase your hunger levels, leading you to eat more and to gain weight.

You need to take this every day to keep down the inflammation in your airways. Find out why steroids are used to treat lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients.

How should I give prednisolone?

If you have any concerns or questions, speak with your child’s doctor or pharmacist. Steroids can make your child more likely to catch infections as they restrict the way their immune system reacts to viruses and bacteria. You may be able to help your child avoid infections by encouraging good hygiene, such as hand washing and being extra vigilant. Your child’s hands and feet may swell, because their body is not getting rid of fluid.

Increased appetite and weight gain

Chickenpox is of particular concern since this normally minor illness may be fatal in immunosuppressed patients. If a diagnosis of chickenpox is confirmed, where to buy steroids online the illness warrants specialist care and urgent treatment. Corticosteroids should not be stopped and the dose may need to be increased.

This lets healthcare professionals know you’re taking steroids. It’s really important that you don’t stop taking your steroids in an inhaler or tablets suddenly if you’ve been taking them for more than a few weeks. Steroids in an inhaler or as tablets are an important and effective treatment for inflammation in the lungs and can make a massive difference to how you deal with your condition.

Mood changes

You might also be interested in our information about communicating with the people around you, which includes tips to help you let others know how you’re feeling. Although it can be upsetting to gain weight, continue to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your weight should gradually return to normal once you stop taking steroids. Steroids can affect the speed at which your body breaks down food to get energy from it (your metabolism).

How often do you have steroids?

These are injections that contain a small amount of a living bacteria or virus that has been made weaker in the laboratory. Let your child’s health team know as soon as there has been contact. Skin thinning is an uncommon, temporary side-effect of steroids.

Prednisolone side effects explained

You should contact your advice line urgently if you think you have an infection. Cut them down gradually with help and guidance from your doctor or pharmacist. Take your steroids exactly as your health professional has told you. The decision will depend on how long you’ve taken them for, what dose you’re on, and where on your body you’re having surgery.