The sinuses are air-filled spaces in your forehead, cheeks and nose. Sinusitis, or sinus infection, arises when the sinuses near the nose are inflamed, leading to facial pain or pressure, congestion, fever, postnasal drip, ear pain or pressure, tooth pain and tiredness. Children are often more susceptible to sinusitis because their sinuses don’t fully develop until they’re teenagers—leading to easier blockage and inflammation.
As a parent, it can be hard to see your child not feeling well. Let’s take a look at what causes pediatric sinusitis and how you can help manage your child’s symptoms to minimize their discomfort.
Pediatric Sinusitis Causes
Sinusitis often occurs after an upper respiratory infection or severe allergies. Infections and allergies cause inflammation, excess mucus production and blockages in the paranasal sinuses, increasing the likelihood of developing sinusitis. Other possible causes may include a deviated septum, tooth infections, nasal trauma, foreign objects in the nose, cleft palate and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
How Can You Manage Your Child’s Discomfort?
Sinusitis itself isn’t contagious, but the cause behind it might be. For instance, if a viral infection is the culprit, it’s best to avoid places like McMahon Playground until it is no longer contagious. If the cause isn’t contagious, the priority shifts to managing discomfort.
Sinusitis will clear up on its own in many cases. However, if sinusitis is chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks) or recurrent (occurring four or more times a year), it may be time to see an ENT provider to discuss potential underlying causes and treatment options. A few ways you can manage your child’s symptoms at home include:
- Hydration. Provide plenty of water or fruit juice to help thin mucus and promote drainage.
- Warm compresses. Place a warm, damp cloth over your child’s sinuses to relieve pressure.
- Humidifiers. A humidifier can moisten your child’s sinus passages and ease congestion and irritation.
- Medication. Provider-approved over-the-counter decongestants and pain medications can temporarily relieve sinusitis symptoms.
Nobody likes to see their child sick. At Charleston ENT & Allergy, you can feel secure knowing they’re getting the best care. For more information on managing your child’s sinusitis, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted specialists.