|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

Recurrent Sinus Infections in Children

A sinus infection---also known as sinusitis---is a condition that is caused by blocked nasal sinuses, which are the hollow spaces surrounding the nose. Children are considered to have recurrent sinus infections if they have three or more infections every year, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

  1. Acute Sinus Infections

    • Children who suffer from recurrent sinusitis often experience acute sinus infections. Acute sinus infections usually last for four weeks or more, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

    Causes

    • Recurrent sinus infections in children can be caused by allergies, especially to pollen; bacterial, fungal or viral infections; enlarged adenoids; nasal polyps; a deviated septum; enlarged adenoids and/or other medical conditions that affect the immune system.

    Symptoms

    • Younger children with recurrent sinusitis often experience a runny nose, a daytime and nighttime cough and/or swollen eyes, according to the Children's Hospital Boston. Older children often have symptoms that include headaches, nasal discharges, a cough, a sore throat, bad breath, a fever, facial pain, a runny nose and/or swollen eyes, according to the Children's Hospital Boston.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose recurrent sinusitis, doctors sometimes use a nasal endoscopy, a test where they use a tube with an attached light to examine the nasal sinuses. During an allergy test, a physician puts allergens on a child's skin to find out whether he is allergic to certain substances.

    Treatment

    • If recurrent sinus infections are caused by bacterial infections, a doctor will often prescribe antibiotics. A child with recurrent sinus infections may receive an allergy shot or medications if she has allergies. She can use over-the-counter nasal drops or a nasal spray for congestion.

Allergies - Related Articles