Pediatric sinusitis is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms resemble a viral illness or allergies. If your child remains ill beyond a week to ten days, however, a sinus infection maybe the culprit. Here are the typical symptoms of pediatric sinusitis:
- Facial pain, pressure, or fullness
- Irritability or fatigue
- Nasal obstruction or blockage
- Swelling around the eyes
- Thick yellow-green nasal drainage
- Discolored post-nasal discharge
- Dental pain or Halitosis
- Headache in children over six years of age
- A cold lasting 10-14 days coupled with a low grade fever
Treating Pediatric Sinusitis
Treatment for your child’s sinusitis is dependent on the conditions causing the sinus problem. Schedule an appointment with our pediatric ENT Specialist. During your appointment, our physician will ascertain the details of your child’s symptions, medical history, and conduct a physical examination. Our physican may order a nasal endoscopy, mucus culture, CT scan, MRI, or allergy, skin, and blood tests, to properly diagnose your child’s condition.
Although our physician will formulate an individualized treatment plan for your child (i.e. antibiotics for bacterial infections, allergy management, immunotherapy, surgery etc.), there are also general steps that can be taken to remedy your child’s suffering in the short term. These include decongestants, antihistamines, and corticosteroid nasal sprays.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a cutting edge procedure that is minimally invasive with little to no downtime or recovery. This procedure has been proven effective in treating certain types of sinusitis in children and young adults. This technology utilizes a small, flexible, sinus balloon catheter that is inserted into the nose to reach the sinus cavity. The sinus balloon catheter is gradually inflated to gently restructure the previously blocked nasal passage. All the while, the integrity of the sinus lining is maintained. This procedure restores normal sinus drainage and function. Many patients have been able to return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.
If your child suffers from symptoms of Pediatric Sinusitis, please contact one of our board-certified ENT specialists and schedule an appointment for your child.
