Sinus Infection Symptoms in Kids | Sinus in Kids

Get to know the sinus infection symptoms in kids to identify the condition early and get the required medical attention asap!

Being a mother, there might be many things that bother you about your baby’s health. One such example is a sinus infection. After reading this article, you will be able to deal with the situation without panicking as you are going to get information about the sinus infection symptoms in kids and the remedies to cure the infection.

What is a Sinus Infection?

Sinus infection is caused due to the formation of cavities around the nasal passages that become inflamed. It usually triggers when the child suffers from a runny nose. The study and research department of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology claims that 31 million people in the United States of America are cured of sinus each year. The infection generally is of three types:

1. Acute Sinusitis: It is a seasonal allergy that stays for the shortest duration and lasts within 1 or 2 weeks.   
2. Subacute Sinusitis: It is also a seasonal allergy that lasts upto three months.
3. Chronic Sinusitis: It is again a seasonal allergy that stays for more than three months. It brings along nasal structural problems with itself.

Sinus Infection Symptoms in Kids

Here is a list of the symptoms that indicates that your child might exhibit if s/he has a sinus infection:

1. A diminished sense of smell
2. Fever (39℃)
3. Fatigue
4. Stuffy or runny nose
5. Headache from sinus pressure
6. Thick dark mucus coming out of the nose

Home Remedies for Sinus in Kids

Home remedies are proven to be more effective on various infections that your kids might catch from the environment. Similar is the case with a sinus infection. Here is a list of some of the home remedies that you can make your child follow to recover from the illness soon:

1. Water Acts As a Weapon

If your child is suffering from a sinus infection, then you need to serve them 8 ounces of water every two hours. This will help them to keep the body hydrated and let the mucous move out quickly.

2. Antibacterial Food

Your child might catch the infection from two modes: either by bacteria or virus. If you diagnose that your child has a bacterial sinus infection, you might serve them certain food items with antibacterial properties like ginger tea and honey. Kindly note that this remedy won’t work if the cause of the infection is a virus.

3. Moisture in Daily Routine

You can make your child use a humidifier at night and a steamer twice a day to add some moisture to their routine to help them with a stuffy nose. Nasal sprays are also helpful in such cases.

4. Use Oil

Eucalyptus oil is the most effective remedy for when your child is suffering from a sinus infection. You can use it in two methods, either apply it to your baby’s chest or help them inhale the same with a diffuser.

5. Neti Pot

This remedy is more effective in the case of nasal irrigation. You need to follow the below-mentioned guidelines for the same:

1. The first step is to pour some saline water into the pot.
2. Secondly, incline your child’s head over the sink at an angle of 45 degrees.
3. The next step is to insert the nozzle and pour the saline solution into the nostrils.
4. Now, you need to repeat the process for the other nostril.

Note: Always take guidelines from your pediatrician when you’re planning to try the neti pot method for your child.

6. Compress Face

Sometimes, the Sinus infection comes with facial pain. To get rid of it, you can compress your baby’s face with soft hands to give it some warmth.

7. Rest

Whenever a child falls ill or undergoes some infection, the best remedy to recover is to take proper rest.

When To See a Doctor?

If you fail to cure a sinus infection with home remedies, you should see a doctor. You should be aware of observing specific symptoms that you should not take lightly and straightaway consult a doctor for the check-up and further treatment. Read the below-mentioned list very carefully and know about the serious symptoms:

1. Excessive fever that extends for more than ten days.
2. Sometimes infection comes with double vision, which is usually a sign of weakness.
3. The eyes may turn red and watery.
4. The forehead might swell.
5. The neck becomes stiff.
6. The body experiences intense pain and headache.
7. Complete loss of smell
8. Meningitis

Whenever you observe these symptoms, you should not delay and immediately consult the doctor and get the medicines they might prescribe. 

Average Oxygen Level of Sinus Patients?

Sinusitis is a chronic airway disease that might cause a problem in breathing due to the lack of oxygen as it causes tension in the nasal path. This ends up in restless nights and fatigue. If a Sinus patient does not breathe for a short span, let’s say 30 seconds, his/her average level of oxygen (94 to 98%) will drop to 80% eventually. This is not a good sign for sinus patients and if the oxygen keeps dropping, consult your doctor immediately.

Bottom Line

There is no path constructed without obstacles. The most challenging route is covered by parents where you need to take care of your child without depending upon the ifs and buts. Every decision of yours has to be wise enough that it does not affect the health of your child. To panic is never a solution to any problem; all you can do is stand firm and keep going. And now that you know sinus infection symptoms in kids and the mentioned advisories, take care of your child if s/he has a sinus infection.