### instruction:
If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patient's description.

### input:
My 8 yr old son suffers from allergies and asthma.  He has been on Predisone 3 times this year for flare ups 40mg daily for either 5 or 7 day treatments.  He takes Claritan , Singular and Nasonex daily and his Dr just added Symbacort inhaler daily.  He also has an albuterol inhaler. He is having a flare-up now with lots of wheezing so his Dr put him on the 2 inhalers. I am just concerned that he is taking lots of steroids.  Is there any other options.

### output:

Hello. Thank you for asking at Chat Doctor. I went through your sons history and would like to make suggestion for him as follows:1. If your son has frequent flare-ups and needs oral steroids (prednisone) 3 times a year, that means his asthma is not under good control. I understand your concern about steroids, and would like to mention that, I have no concern about inhaled corticosteroids, but I do have a concern about oral corticosteroids. As inhaled steroids work locally, they are least absorbed in body and mostly have local side effects. But frequent oral steroids are not desirable, although they have to be given when they are needed.2. So I would like to first get reviewed your sons' technique of using inhaler in presence of a doctor. This is most important as if it is not proper, there are high chances that he may not be actually getting enough Chat Doctor. 3. I would like to step up his controlled medications of asthma.4. I would suggest you to get his allergy testing done. This will help him to identify the substances causing troubles to him, and also you will know how to avoid them. Also, an Allergist-immunologist may prescribe him allergen specific immunotherapy based on the allergy testing, which works on immune system to gradually improve allergy symptoms.5. Please try to avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible to him.6. A healthy diet rich in vitamins & minerals (adequate amounts of green leafy vegetables, fruits, sprouts, etc.) will improve his immunity in a long run.7. There are other options like Ayurvedic medicine, homeopatChatDoctoredicine, herbal medicine, etc. Please consult alternative medicine experts for information about these therapies. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you. Should you have any other query, please feel free to ask at Chat Doctor. Thank you & Regards.