Sinus Infections in Young Children

Sinus infections in young children are a result of the buildup and takeover of bacteria in the sinus cavities surrounding the nose, causing an infection in the sinuses. Many children develop sinus infections as a result of an ongoing cold, which are often easily remedied with an antihistamine, decongestant, cough suppressant and/or expectorant.

Symptoms

• Sinus infections in children always begin with symptoms of a cold, but the infections will progress for 10 to 14 days without improvement. Excessive green mucus and nasal discharge occurs for the 10-to-14-day period as well as a congested cough. Younger children with a sinus infection may also have a fever and even swollen, puffy face and eyes. Many children will also have stinky breath due to a post-nasal drip caused by the sinus infection.

Home Treatments

• Use your bathroom as a steam room to treat young children with a sinus infection. Shut the door and turn the shower on the highest heat setting possible and sit with your child in the steamed room for at least 10 to 15 minutes. While sitting in the steam, use an open hand to clap your child's chest and back. Your movements should be slightly harder than for burping to loosen the mucus built up in the chest from the sinus infection. Take advantage of the loosening properties of the steam and use a suctioning bulb to remove any mucus in your child's nose. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids and consider investing in a vaporizer to use in their room. The vaporizer will create a warm, humid environment in their room at night, loosening mucus and improving breathing. You can also add oils such as lavender or eucalyptus to speed up the benefits of the vaporizer. Chest rubs work well on some children but can cause wheezing in some and should be closely monitored if you decide to apply them.

Professional Treatments

• Your pediatrician may prescribe an antihistamine and/or a nasal decongestant, which will decrease nasal mucus production, decrease nasal swelling and help dry up a runny nose. You may also be prescribed a cough suppressant to decrease coughing and an expectorant to loosen up any mucus that has accumulated in your child's lungs. There are over-the-counter versions of each types of medications prescribed by your pediatrician for treating a sinus infection, but you should contact her before treating your child.

Considerations

• Sinus infections are also most likely to cause sinus headaches in young children and can also cause green eye discharge. Eye discharge that is not accompanied with cold and/or sinus infections symptoms may be conjunctivitis, or pinkeye infection.

Warning

• Sinus infections can begin with extremely high fevers of at least 103 degrees, facial swelling and pain. High fever in young children needs to be addressed immediately with your pediatrician.