It can be a worrying time when your child gets sick with a sinus infection. Infections caused by bacteria or viruses can spread throughout the sinuses, leading to multiple symptoms, including nasal congestion, facial pressure, cough, and fever. Some children may also experience discharge from the nose and intense pain in the sinus areas.
Fortunately, most sinus infections are manageable at home. They just require the right approach.
What Are the Signs of a Sinus Infection?
Some parents confuse sinus infections with common colds. However, there are some key differences.
For example, children with sinus infections often have a reduced sense of smell. They may also have a thick, discolored nasal discharge (sticky mucus) and facial pain around sinus locations, like the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. Some children also develop headaches and a fever, which are less common with regular colds.
The recovery time for these two illnesses can also vary. Colds usually take 7 to 10 days to run their course, while sinus infections can last days, weeks, or even months.
Usually, you can tell if there is a bacterial sinus infection if:
- Symptoms worsen after initial improvement
- Symptoms last for more than ten days
- Your child develops a fever above 102°F
Viral sinus infections are milder and don’t usually cause a fever.
Ways to Relieve Sinus Infection Symptoms at Home
As a parent, you can do several things to help your child recover from a sinus infection. These include:
Keeping your child hydrated
Keeping your child hydrated helps them during sinus infection because it allows the immune system to work better. Children with high fevers may quickly become dehydrated, so be sure to provide them with plenty of fluids like water and electrolyte drinks.
Using saline nasal sprays and humidifiers
Saline nasal sprays and humidifiers can be helpful because they provide a warm, moist environment for the sinuses to purge. Sprays contain regular salt balanced to the same pH as the nasal lining to remove the infection faster.
Encouraging proper rest and nutrition
You also want to ensure your child sleeps and eats well. The more rest they get and the better their nutrition, the more likely they are to recover quickly. Prepare meals with protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for them to eat.
Using over-the-counter medications for pain and congestion
Finally, you can give your child age-appropriate medications for pain and congestion if they are struggling.
Acetaminophen is one option safe for children two months and older. It helps with pain relief (at doses of 10 to 15 mg every four to six hours). Ibuprofen is another option safe for children 6 months and older (5 to 10 mg taken every six to eight hours). Finally, pseudoephedrine is another option for congestion. It’s available for children aged four and older.
When to Visit a Pediatric Specialist For a Sinus Infection
At-home remedies can be helpful for sinus infections, but they don’t always work. Because of this, visiting a pediatric specialist is sometimes necessary.
But how do you know when you should visit them?
- Symptoms lasting longer than 10 days or worsening after initial improvement suggest that your child’s immune system can’t clear up the infection by itself and requires additional support.
- High fever or severe facial pain means that the immune system can’t fight the infection or that tissue damage is occurring.
- Signs of complications, such as swelling around the eyes or difficulty breathing, require prompt emergency medical assistance.
How Just 4 Kids Urgent Care Can Help
Parents don’t always know where to turn when their kids get severe sinus infections. Fortunately, Just 4 Kids Urgent Care can help. We offer diagnosis and treatment options for kids and young adults up to 26 years old, including antibiotics if needed.
Our team is dedicated to getting to the root of your child’s medical issues and providing quick solutions. Bacterial sinus infections (the most serious, usually) can clear up with the right antibiotics in a few days.
We are also happy to offer at-home recommendations. Our pediatric specialists can share tips for making your child as comfortable as possible and speeding up their recovery. Their recommendations might include things like home-cooked meals, soothing nasal sprays, or plenty of fluids.
Just 4 Kids is convenient and accessible care for Eastern Idaho families. With three locations in Chubbuck, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, we’re just around the corner!
Helping Your Child Prevent Future Sinus Infections
Preventing sinus infections from recurring in the future is the best way to protect your child and ensure they remain healthy. It’s easier than it might seem! Applying a few basic strategies can substantially reduce your child’s risk of infection and prevent them from feeling sick.
Teach proper handwashing habits
First and foremost, you’ll want to teach your child proper handwashing habits. They should be rubbing their hands together in soap and hot water for around 20 seconds, focusing on the front and back of the hands and under the fingernails. We recommend showing them how!
Reduce exposure to allergens and irritants
Reducing your child’s exposure to allergens and irritants can help, too. These can cause sinuses to become more inflamed and hold on to excess mucus, even after infections subside.
Encourage good hydration and a healthy diet to boost immunity
Encourage proper hydration and a healthy diet. Eating fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods can improve your child’s immunity and enable the sinuses to function better. Lowering their consumption of junk, like overly processed foods, will keep them well in more ways than one.
Managing underlying conditions like allergies
Finally, you’ll want to address underlying conditions, such as allergies, to reduce inflammation in the nose and face. You can mitigate these with antihistamines and by avoiding specific foods/items in your home.
Get the Best Care for Your Kid’s Sinus Infection in Eastern Idaho
Does your kid have a sinus infection? If so, it’s critical to seek out the best care.