A 55-year-old woman with high blood pressure and COPD, treated with enalapril and a formoterol inhaler, smoked about 10 cigarettes daily. When her breathing worsened, her doctor switched her to a new inhaler containing indacaterol and glycopyrronium.
Just two days later, she developed “painful red patches on her face and neck” along with a mild fever. She reported no changes in skincare, diet, or recent illness, and had used sun protection despite being outdoors.
Because of the sudden rash, she was referred to dermatology. The specialist recommended immediately stopping the new inhaler and ordered blood tests and a skin biopsy to confirm the cause.
To manage her symptoms, doctors prescribed steroid pills, which worked quickly—“within 24 to 48 hours, the pain eased and the redness began to fade.”
This case shows the need to monitor for skin reactions after medication changes. Inhalers, though usually safe, can sometimes trigger allergic or inflammatory responses. Early dermatology consultation and prompt treatment can lead to rapid improvement and prevent complications.
