How to Recognize Childhood Sinusitis

A child who suffers from sinusitis has the same symptoms as an adult. Recognizing it is difficult when a child can't communicate his pain and discomfort. Children often develop sinusitis from a common cold. Parents should consider taking their children to see a doctor if their child has had a cold that lasts longer than 10 days.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Keep track of how long your child's nose has been stuffed up. Nasal congestion that lasts for 10 or more days is a sign of sinusitis.
2. Observe the color of discharge from the nose. A thick green or yellow colored mucus is another sign of sinusitis.
3. View your children's eyes. Swelling around the eyes and nose that resembles trauma to the face, indicates they may have the illness.
4. Ask your child if he has any pain. Pain could be described as a headache or pain around the forehead, jaw or nose.
5. Think twice when your child has had a history of the above symptoms and also suffered from past ear aches or infection. Children with chronic, recurring, sinusitis often get frequent ear infections.
6. Take your child's temperature several times a day for a few days. If it is continually a little warmer than normal, he could be suffering from sinusitis.

Tips & Warnings

• Sinusitis can include a day time cough that gets worse at night.
• Some children may have just one acute, sudden, sinus attack. Others may suffer from ongoing bouts of sinusitis called chronic.
• Sinusitis may also start out as a respiratory infection. Children with allergies may be more prone to the illness.
• Don't try to treat a sinusitis at home. Your child will need antibiotics to get better.
• Don't give a child nasal sprays without a doctor's approval. They may just make the sinusitis worse.