Colds and coughs can often be a source of anxiety for parents, especially in the winter months. If your child has cold symptoms with a cough and fever that seems to be sticking around a little too long, it may be sinusitis (an infection and inflammation of the sinuses). Parents often mistake cold-related headaches in young children for sinus infections; however this is not always the case, as your child’s sinuses are not fully developed until late in the teen years. The symptoms of the common cold and sinusitis can be very similar and include nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and/or fever. Watch for the following symptoms to determine if your child may be suffering from sinusitis:
- Thick yellow-green nasal discharge
- Pain in the jaw or behind the forehead or nose
- Nasal congestion that persists for ten days or more
- Swelling around the nose and eyes
- Headache, usually in children 6 or older
- Post-nasal-drip: exhibited as a sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea and/or vomiting
Home care measures for sinus symptoms should focus on relieving nasal congestion, sinus pain and fever. Moisture alleviates nasal congestion, so 20 minutes in a steamy shower, and a cool mist humidifier in the room where your child sleeps will help keep the air moist. Sinus pain and pressure can be relieved with a cold compress and a pain reducing medication (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Antihistamines and decongestants should be avoided as their effect is thickening of the nasal mucus. Because sinus infections are usually secondary to colds, prevention techniques should focus on the reduction of colds. Good hand-washing should be the first line of defense in reducing your child’s exposure to viral infections.
If you are unsure about the severity of your child’s ongoing symptoms or if evaluation is necessary, it is better to err on the side of caution. Call us for a consultation, and we’ll get your little one feeling better in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sinusitis symptoms that may differ from a common cold include thick yellow-green nasal discharge, pain in the jaw or behind the forehead or nose, nasal congestion lasting more than ten days, swelling around the nose and eyes, headaches in children aged 6 or older, and post-nasal drip causing sore throat, cough, bad breath, nausea, or vomiting. These signs suggest an infection and inflammation of the sinuses rather than just a simple cold.
Children's sinuses are not fully developed until their late teen years, so headaches they experience during a common cold are often due to congestion rather than true sinus infections. This makes it difficult to differentiate between cold-related headaches and sinusitis without careful observation of other symptoms.
Effective home care for sinus symptoms in children includes relieving nasal congestion with moisture, such as spending 20 minutes in a steamy shower and using a cool mist humidifier during sleep. Sinus pain and pressure can be eased with cold compresses and pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, antihistamines and decongestants should be avoided as they can thicken nasal mucus and worsen symptoms.
Antihistamines and decongestants can thicken nasal mucus, which may worsen sinus congestion and prolong symptoms. Therefore, these medications are generally not recommended for children experiencing sinus symptoms as they can interfere with natural mucus drainage and increase discomfort.
Since sinus infections often occur secondary to colds, preventing colds is key. Good hand-washing practices are the first line of defense to reduce exposure to viral infections. Additionally, maintaining a healthy environment and minimizing contact with sick individuals can help reduce the risk of colds and subsequent sinus infections.
Parents should consider medical evaluation if their child’s symptoms persist beyond ten days, worsen, or include severe pain, swelling, or fever that does not improve. If there is any uncertainty about the severity, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.