Caution:Getting rid of your hot flashes may lead to trouble for any children or pets you snuggle with. The FDA has issued a warning that accidental exposure in the form of skin-to-skin contact to Evamist, a prescription spray medication for hot flashes, may cause serious health problems in kids and pets.

“Women using Evamist need to be aware of the potential risks to children who come in contact with the area of skin where this drug is applied,” Julie Beitz, MD, director of the FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation III, said in an agency news release. “It is important that people know to keep both children and pets away from the product to minimize exposure.”

Spray-On Trouble

Hot flashes can be the result of plummeting estrogen levels at menopause. Evamist is just one of many prescription drugs that can be used to address this problem. It was approved by the FDA in 2007 as treatment for moderate-to-severe hot flashes and contains estradiol, a potent form of estrogen. Evamist gets sprayed on a woman’s forearm between the elbow and wrist once a day.

Problems for children:To date, the FDA has received eight reports of adverse events in children between the ages of three and five who were accidentally exposed to Evamist. These included:

  • Premature puberty, breast development and nipple swelling in girls.
  • Breast enlargement in boys.

These problems (which may not be permanent) occurred several weeks or months after the children first came into contact with Evamist.

Pet problems:Two dog owners complained about adverse events, including mammary or nipple enlargement, genital problems, liver failure and elevated estrogen levels caused by pet contact with treated skin. Small pets may be especially vulnerable.

Keep Loved Ones Safe

If you use Evamist, the FDA now recommends taking measures to protect those around you…

  • Don’t let children or pets come into contact with treated skin (until it has been washed) and, most especially, don’t let them lick it.
  • Cover up. If you cannot avoid contact, wear long sleeves.
  • Do not use the spray in the same room with children or pets.
  • If a child inadvertently touches your arm after you apply Evamist, promptly wash his/her skin with soap and water.
  • Contact your pediatrician or vet if accidental exposure occurs or if you notice unusual symptoms such as breast enlargement in children or pets.

Even better is to consider other treatment options, advises Daily Health Newscontributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND. In his view, it’s not just children and pets who should avoid Evamist — everyone should. He calls it “a simplistic solution to a complex problem,” noting that it fails to address key issues such as the vast individual variations in hormonal sensitivity. In his practice, Dr. Rubman prescribes supplements such as black cohosh and individually balanced bio-identical hormonal preparations.

If hot flashes disrupt your life, consider natural and safer options before those that put you or your family at risk.