Suffer From Frequent Cough And Cold. Diagnosed As Allergic To Weather. Prescribed Seroflo Inhaler And Macalvit Plus Syrup. Guide?

Posted on Thu, 18 Jul 2013

Question: My 2 year 10 month old son used to contract frequent cold and cough and be on cold/cough medication frequently. Our paedeatrician mentioned that he is mostly allergic to Mumbai weather and suggested he start with Seroflo inhaler 125 twice a day for 3-6 months. My son has been taken Seroflo 125 now for 2.5 months. While his cold/cough symptoms are better, for the past few weeks I have noticed marked puffiness below his eyes. The paedeatrician put it down to allergy (periorbital swelling) and gave an eye drop and course of Allegra syrup. But I haven't seen much improvement in the puffiness below the eyes. When I again consulted our paediatrician he dismissed the puffiness and started my son on multivitamin syrup Lysupra. I want to know if this can be a potential side effect of Seroflo inhaler and if so then should I ask my doctor to taper and stop Seroflo? Alternately can it be an indication of something more serious and thus do I need to take a second opinion? Also note that our doctor had also prescribed my son with Macalvit plus syrup 10 ml once a day which he had taken for past 2 months which he has now stopped and started with Lysupra. My son weighs 11.5 kg.

Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (13 hours later)

Hi XXXXX,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

I can understand your concern.

Puffines of eyes is seen in children with allergic conditions like allergy due to dust, weather , and to pet animals etc.

The other conditions with puffy eyes are kidney problems like nephrotic syndrome, hypoproteinemia, and other fluid overload problems.

But in nephrotic syndrome, the puffiness is more in the mornings, and it decreases by evening and it is associated with decreased urine output and increased weight of the child.

If there is only puffiness of eyes without any other signs like weight gain, decreased urine output, edema of body and legs, then nothing to worry and mostly it is due to allergy.

Puffines of eyes is not a potential side effect of Seroflo inhaler.

If you are concerned about the puffiness of eyes, or any other associated aforementioned signs are there, you can do investigations like urine for protein, spot urine protein creatinine ratio, and serum protein and creatinine levels after discussing with the pediatrician.

I advise you to continue the medication and consult the doctor if the puffiness is persisting even after the use of Allegra and eye drops.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar