What Causes Sinus Problems in Children?

The sinuses are four sets of air-filled cavities located behind and around the nose and eyes. Our sinuses play an important role in our overall health, however, you may only become aware of these spaces when they begin hurting, in turn, underappreciating their value.

What do sinuses do?

So what exactly do sinuses do and how do they help us?

Sinuses make a person's skull lighter (so that we can hold our head up) and filter out many irritating airborne particles in the air that's breathed in. They also serve as a humidifier, moisturizing dry air before it reaches the lungs.

Here's how they work: On the surface of the membranes lining the sinuses are tiny hairlike filaments (cilia) that engage in a constant sweeping motion to keep mucus moving through these passages. This is a good defense against infection. Mucus traps particles that enter the sinuses and the cilia sweep them toward the back of the nose, where they're swallowed and broken down in the stomach. Each sinus is connected to the nasal passage by a thin duct that allows mucus to drain and air to flow. These passages can easily become blocked, however, making drainage difficult.

What is sinus congestion?

If your child is congested, he or she has mucus fluid accumulating in their sinuses. When something -- say, secondhand cigarette smoke -- irritates their nasal passages, the linings become inflamed. The fluid can't drain easily into their nose, so it builds up in the sinuses.

Congestion isn't the same as an infection, but it does create a breeding ground for bacteria. If the sinuses stay congested for a while, the multiplying bacteria may result in a sinus infection.

What causes sinus problems in general?

Your child may experience sinus congestion when irritants inflame the nasal passages making it harder for mucus to drain properly.

Wondering what may be the cause of sinus problems in your young child?

Leading culprits for sinus problems in kids include the common cold, secondhand cigarette smoke, air pollution, dry air, cold air, fumes (such as those from paint or cleaning solutions), allergies, and emotional stress.

Whatsmore, if your child has a common nose malformation such as polyps or a deviated septum, he or she is more likely to suffer from sinus infections.

Certain activities may irritate your child's sinuses as well.

For example, a child who swims or dives is especially susceptible since these activities sometimes push water into the sinuses, where it can become trapped and lead to an infection.

As a parent, you know that small children will stick anything into their nose and mouth, so it is a possibility that your child may have pushed an object up their nose -- particularly if they have more nasal drainage from one side of their nose, or if they develop a nagging cough after playing with small objects such as peas.

How common is sinus congestion?

Very. Children catch a lot of colds, and a typical symptom is sinus congestion. As a parent you're prone to worry about your child, however, this is generally nothing to worry about. The condition typically clears up by itself in 10 to 14 days. Symptoms may include a runny nose, with the color of the discharge progressing from clear to yellow to green and then back to yellow and clear again. A cough and slight fever (below 100 degrees F) are other common symptoms.

What can you do to relieve your child's sinus congestion?

Keeping your child's nasal passages moist can lessen the congestion. Using a humidifier, preferably one that produces warm vapor, is a common method. It may also be therapeutic to put your child in the bathroom with the shower running hot, so that they can breathe in the warm, moist air through their nose. You can also use saltwater or saline nasal sprays (available at drugstores) to loosen dried mucus and irrigate the nasal passages.

Decongestant spray, nose drops or oral antihistamines can alleviate the symptoms of sinus congestion, but you should consult your pediatrician before giving one of these products to your children. Both can have side effects: Decongestants frequently have a "rebound effect" if taken for many days in a row: The congestion comes back with a vengeance after the medicine wears off. Antihistamines, which dull the allergic response that often sets off sinus congestion, may induce sleepiness or hyperactivity.

When should you be concerned about sinus congestion?

If you think your child's congestion may be turning into a sinus infection, call your pediatrician. This infection, called sinusitis, occurs when a sinus is blocked and bacteria build up inside. The more sinus problems your child has had in the past, the greater the possibility that his or her congestion will lead to an infection.

Make an appointment with your pediatrician if:

Your child is under 4 months old and has sinus congestion. (Sinus congestion may interfere with your baby's eating or sleeping: During the first few months of life your baby breathes mostly through their nose rather than their mouth, so congestion can cause more problems in them than in older children.)
Your child has a stuffed-up nose accompanied by a high fever, a mild headache or facial discomfort, and bad breath.
Your child has symptoms of a common cold with sinus congestion that last more than two weeks.

Can a sinus infection become dangerous?

In rare cases an untreated sinus infection spreads to other areas in the skull and becomes a serious problem. The passages around the eyes can become infected, and because only a thin membrane separates these sinuses and the brain, the bacteria can penetrate this membrane and bring about meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that envelop the brain).

For this reason, if your child has a sinus condition and complains of a severe headache or develops severe facial pain or swelling, get to an emergency room immediately.

What are your child's treatment options?

Antibiotics are the most common method of treating a sinus infection. Your pediatrician will probably first prescribe an antibiotic -- most likely amoxicillin -- that kills a broad range of bacteria. If that doesn't work, he or she will try an antibiotic that targets specific bacteria. Even if your child's symptoms disappear in a few days, make sure he or she keeps taking the medicine until it's all gone, or the infection may not be eradicated.

If your child has a severe case of chronic sinusitis, your physician may refer you to a specialist, who may attempt to manually drain the sinus passages.

What can you do to prevent sinus problems?

Providing a clean environment, free of dust and smoke, is one of the simplest and best ways to help your child avoid sinus congestion and related problems. An allergist can also examine your child to learn which irritants make his or her immune system go into overdrive and advise you on how to limit his exposure to irritants.