Contents
Sinusitis in children is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. We have several sinuses, but they are formed gradually. Therefore, for example, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses usually develops in children over 1-2 years old, frontal – in children over 6 years old, and sphenoid sinuses – in those over 10 years old.
In most cases, sinusitis in children is of viral origin, but there are also bacterial sinusitis (6-9 percent of cases), and odontogenic, when inflammation provokes problems with the teeth of the upper jaw.
Sinusitis Symptoms in Children
The symptoms of sinusitis in children are similar to those of a cold:
- nasal congestion;
- nasal discharge;
- cough when mucus flows into the nasopharynx in the supine position;
- possible headache;
- pain and swelling in the cheek area;
- temperature.
“If the child’s illness lasts less than ten days, then this is most likely a common cold, if longer, then sinusitis is likely,” explains Olga Samarina, children’s ENT, doctor of the highest category.
Types of sinusitis in children
Acute
Acute sinusitis in children usually develops as a complication of a cold, a week or 10 days after the onset of the disease. The child is treated, but, as a rule, the treatment does not improve, the disease drags on.
Acute sinusitis in children lasts no more than three months and is accompanied by two or more symptoms:
- difficulty in nasal breathing or its complete absence;
- discharge from the nose from colorless liquid to thick;
- feeling of heaviness, pressure around the nose;
- sometimes the main complaint is cough during the day, but more at night.
— It should be borne in mind that concomitant allergic rhinitis can significantly affect the course of acute sinusitis, increasing the healing time. Also, under the guise of acute sinusitis in children, odontogenic sinusitis caused by tooth damage can be hidden, – says Anna Nuriahmetova, otorhinolaryngologist, doctor of the highest category.
Chronic
— Chronic sinusitis is a long-term (more than 12 weeks) inflammatory process with periods of exacerbation and remission. Often chronic sinusitis in children is the result of acute sinusitis, especially with its ineffective or late treatment, says ENT Anna Nuriakhmetova. – Polyps in the nose, the child’s tendency to allergies, deviated septum or chronic respiratory diseases contribute to the chronic course of the process.
Maxillary
Maxillary sinusitis is diagnosed when the maxillary or maxillary sinuses are affected. Hence the former name of this form of sinusitis – sinusitis. It occurs in children older than a year, since it is from this age that the corresponding sinuses are formed.
As a rule, sinusitis is indicated by pain and heaviness in the area of the cheeks or one cheek. When the child tilts his head, it may intensify.
Purulent
Acute sinusitis in children clinically resembles a runny nose. As we have seen, the symptoms are the same – stuffy nose, snot. This stage of the disease can end in recovery, or it can turn into a more nasty form – purulent sinusitis.
In this case, bacteria are involved. They provoke inflammation and swelling in the area of the openings connecting the sinuses with the nasal cavity. Pus accumulates in the sinuses, and because of the edema it cannot come out, this causes discomfort to the child. As a rule, with purulent sinusitis, fever and pain in the face are observed.
If the symptoms of acute sinusitis are pronounced and persist for more than 10 days without improvement, bacterial interference should be suspected.
Treatment of sinusitis in children
– Treatment of sinusitis in children depends on the stage of the disease, its severity, and the age of the child. Only a doctor can determine how to treat the disease. If the duration of the disease is from 10 days to 12 weeks and the general condition of the child is not disturbed, we can assume the so-called post-viral rhinosinusitis, explains Olga Samarina, pediatric ENT, doctor of the highest category.
In this case, it is good to rinse the nose with saline solutions, make hot foot baths.
As a means for the treatment of sinusitis in children, local preparations in the nose are used:
- spray «Isofra»;
- “Polydex” (from 2,5 years);
- “Mometasone” (from 12 years old).
– Decongestants – vasoconstrictor drops and sprays relieve swelling well, but they can only be used for 3-5 days. If you use them longer than expected, you can “earn” drug-induced rhinitis,” says Anna Nuriakhmetova, an otorhinolaryngologist, a doctor of the highest category.
For the treatment of sinusitis in children are also used:
- local glucocorticoid therapy;
- mucolytics, which may be useful in thinning the contents of the sinuses;
- antibiotics if sinusitis is bacterial.
“If the treatment is ineffective, and besides, new symptoms appear: fever, pain in the face, colored discharge from the nose, acute bacterial sinusitis can be suspected,” explains Olga Samarina, a children’s ENT.
It is not so common – about one in ten children with sinusitis. Only this form of the disease should be treated with antibiotics.
What antibiotics can be used for sinusitis
— There are first-line drugs, there are second-line drugs, and there are reserve drugs. What specific drug to prescribe to a child can only be determined by a doctor. The most effective antibiotic is amoxicillin, it is usually prescribed in the first place, – explains Olga Samarina, pediatric ENT, doctor of the highest category.
In addition to it, other antibiotics are prescribed:
- penicillins (Flemoxin, Ampicillin);
- cephalosporins (Pancef, Suprax, Ceftriaxone);
- macrolides (Clacid, Clarithromycin).
Folk remedies
– As a folk remedy for washing the nasal cavity, you can use a decoction of chamomile, of course, in the absence of allergies to it. It is better to use it in the form of an isotonic solution, that is, a salty chamomile decoction: half a teaspoon of salt per glass of decoction at room temperature, says Anna Nuriakhmetova, otorhinolaryngologist, doctor of the highest category.
In any case, it is worth starting treatment with folk remedies only if the doctor has given the go-ahead.
It is better, according to experts, not to rely entirely on traditional medicine. If you want to be treated with something natural, you can give preference to herbal medicines, such as Sinupret or Sinuforte.
Prevention at home
– Prevention of sinusitis in children begins primarily with the correct and complete treatment of SARS. You can never endure a cold “on your feet,” says ENT Anna Nuriakhmetova. – During ARVI, you need to drink more liquid, this leads to a thinning of the secret and its easy removal from the nasal cavity.
You should also teach your child to brush their teeth in a timely manner and not to walk for a long time in humid and cold air. Parents who care about the health of their children need to ventilate the apartment more often and do wet cleaning.