Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Can Asthma Drug Cause Thin Skin?

Q. I was prescribed Advair for asthma. It worked well for my breathing problem but my skin became thin and I started bruising badly. Then I experienced horrible damage to my skin with deep gashes from a slight bump. One day I leaned on the bathroom counter and several inches of the skin on my arm peeled off.

My lung specialist insisted Advair was not responsible for thinning skin. One day I asked my pharmacist, “Have you ever seen anything like this?” She looked at my bruises and said, “It could be from taking steroids.”

She checked my meds and told me Advair contains a steroid. I spoke to my doctor but he still said it was not the medication. I switched to another clinic and got a different asthma medicine, Serevent. My health care provider, a nurse practitioner, told me she had seen a few others whose skin reacted as mine did. After several weeks off Advair, my skin returned to normal and I no longer have bruises or serious gashes.

A. We’re surprised the specialist you consulted was unaware that Advair can affect the skin. The official prescribing information lists bruising and wounds as potential adverse reactions.

The steroid in the asthma inhalers Advair and Flovent is fluticasone. Although not as risky as oral prednisone, there can be some systemic side effects with this drug. A higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma and pneumonia has been reported with long-term use.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
3.6- 8 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.