If your child has congestion that will not clear, thick nasal drainage, a cough that keeps hanging on, or repeated sinus symptoms, it may be more than just another cold.
Sinus infections can happen in children, and some children develop ongoing or recurring sinus inflammation that may need a closer look.
Possible symptoms include:
In children, sinus symptoms can overlap with colds, allergies, enlarged adenoids, and other nasal problems, so the length and pattern of symptoms matter.
Most colds gradually improve.
A sinus infection becomes more likely when cold symptoms continue for more than about 10 days without improvement, become significantly worse after starting to improve, or are accompanied by more severe symptoms.
A child's doctor can help determine whether symptoms are more consistent with a viral illness, bacterial sinusitis, allergies, or another condition.
Recurring sinus symptoms can have several possible causes.
Children are exposed to many respiratory viruses, especially in school and daycare settings. Repeated illnesses can make it seem like congestion never fully clears.
Allergies can cause chronic swelling inside the nose and contribute to congestion, drainage, and difficulty breathing through the nose.
Learn more about allergies in children.
Enlarged adenoids can contribute to chronic nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, drainage, and recurring nasal symptoms.
Learn more about enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children.
Some children develop ongoing inflammation inside the nose and sinuses that is not simply the result of one infection.
Chronic sinusitis means sinus and nasal symptoms continue for a prolonged period rather than clearing after a typical cold or short term infection.
Symptoms may include:
Chronic sinus problems can have several contributing factors, so treatment depends on what is driving the inflammation.
Yes. A child who cannot breathe comfortably through the nose may begin breathing through their mouth, snoring, or sleeping restlessly.
If your child has persistent congestion along with snoring or mouth breathing, learn more about snoring and sleep problems in children.
An ENT evaluation may be helpful when:
The evaluation usually begins with a review of your child's symptoms, how long they have been present, and how often they return.
The ENT may examine the nose, throat, and airway and look for signs of inflammation, drainage, enlarged adenoids, or other nasal obstruction.
Depending on the situation, additional evaluation may include:
Treatment depends on the cause.
Viral infections do not require antibiotics. Bacterial sinus infections may be treated with antibiotics when appropriate.
Other treatment may include:
Chronic sinusitis often requires a more individualized approach because ongoing inflammation may involve allergies, adenoid problems, structural issues, or other causes.
If symptoms continue despite medical treatment, an ENT can determine whether additional evaluation or other treatment options should be considered.
If your child has ongoing congestion, repeated sinus infections, chronic drainage, or difficulty breathing through the nose, Glatz Group can evaluate whether sinus inflammation or another ENT condition may be contributing.
Learn more about our ENT care for children in McAllen, chronic nasal congestion in children, and allergies in children.
Does your child keep dealing with congestion or sinus infections?
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