Sinusitis in children: recognizing symptoms and treatment & bull; hello healthy

When your little one has a cold that doesn't go away, you need to pay extra attention. It could be, what he was experiencing was not the common cold, but sinusitis. So, how to distinguish sinusitis in children from the common cold? The following is an explanation and how to treat it.

Difference between sinusitis and cold or flu

The sinuses are the cavities between the facial bones around the nose. Inflammation in this area is called sinusitis.

As a parent you need to be sensitive and careful to know the difference between sinusitis and colds, considering that the two sometimes have similar symptoms.

The following is a guide you can use to distinguish sinusitis or a cold that has hit your child.

General characteristics of colds

The following are cold symptoms that are not sinusitis.

• Colds usually only last 5 to 10 days.
• A cold is characterized by a clear mucus discharge from the nose. After the first or second day, the liquid normally thickens and becomes white, yellow, or green in color. After a few days, the mucus returns clear and dries up.
• Colds are usually accompanied by a cough during the day that gets worse at night.
• If the child also has a fever, it usually occurs when the cold first appears and is less severe. Last a day or two.
• Cold symptoms usually peak on the third or fifth day. Symptoms improve and disappear on days 7 to 10.

Sinusitis signs and symptoms

Sinusitis in children can be seen immediately when your little one experiences the following symptoms:

• Cold symptoms (nasal discharge, cough during the day, or both) last more than 10 days without getting better.
• Thick yellow discharge from the nose and a fever that lasts for at least 3 to 4 consecutive days.
• Severe headache in the back or around the eyes. It will feel worse when you look down.
• Swelling and dark circles around the eyes, especially in the morning
• Bad breath that doesn't go away accompanied by cold symptoms (However, this symptom can also be caused by a dry throat or a sign that your little one hasn't brushed his teeth)
• In rare cases, a bacterial infection of the sinuses can spread to the eyes or the central nervous system (brain). Tell the doctor right away if your child has symptoms of:
  • Swelling and / or redness around the eyes, not just in the morning but throughout the day
  • Severe headache and / or pain in the back of the neck
  • Gag
  • Sensitive to light
  • Irritability increases

It may be difficult to tell the difference between sinusitis in children and the common cold, especially in the first few days. Pediatricians will find it easier to diagnose whether your little one has bacterial sinusitis after examining and hearing the development of the symptoms.

Treating sinusitis in children

Sinusitis treatment in children usually depends on the symptoms, age and overall health condition. Treatment will also depend on how severe the sinusitis is.

1. Short-term (acute sinusitis)

Acute sinusitis can heal on its own. When it doesn't get better after a few days, your pediatrician will usually prescribe:

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are useful for killing the bacteria that cause sinusitis in children. When sinusitis symptoms don't get better after 3 to 5 days, your pediatrician may try other stronger antibiotics.

Allergy Medication

Sinusitis in children is sometimes also caused by allergies. To deal with inflammation in the sinuses on this one, the doctor will usually give antihistamines and other allergy medicines that can reduce swelling.

2. Long-term (chronic sinusitis)

Treatments for chronic sinusitis in children include:

• Visiting an ENT doctor
• Antibiotics (your child may take antibiotics for a longer time)
• Inhaled corticosteroid drugs (nasal sprays that contain steroids)
• Other treatments (nasal sprays with antihistamines and saline, or other drugs to thin mucus)
• Allergy shots or immunotherapy
• Surgery (but rarely performed on children)

In addition, during the treatment of sinusitis in children, your child is also advised to:

• Drink water or juice every hour or two to thin the mucus to make it easier to pass
• Saline wash (washing the nose) using a special liquid to keep the sinuses and nose moist. Ask the doctor or nurse for instructions
• Compress your baby's nose, cheeks and eyes with a warm towel to help reduce pain

Colds usually do not take a long time and the symptoms are not as severe as a child with sinusitis. Apart from the pediatrician, you can also go to the ENT doctor to have your child checked for sinusitis.

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