Sinus Infections
Sinus Infections Cause Painful Pressure
When one of the seven sinuses that normally drain into the nose becomes infected, a bacterial infection will typically result. The bacterial infection, or sinus infection, will cause painful pressure in one or more areas, including above the eyebrow, behind the eye and around the cheekbone.
Symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Profuse yellow discharge
- Postnasal drip
- A blocked nose
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Nausea from swalling secretions
If your child appears to have a combination of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with his or her physician right away. To properly care for a sinus infection, a doctor must confirm a diagnosis and administer antibiotics.
Boys Town Pediatrics suggests the following at home treatments to ease pain and reduce fever within 48 hours:
- Start antibiotics right away. Do not miss any doses and complete entire prescription even if your child begins to feel better.
- Wash dried mucus or pus from the nose using warm water or saline nosedrops 4 times or more each day.
- Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
- Drain the sinuses using a long-acting decongestant nosedrops or spray for the first 2 or 3 days of treatment. If sinus congestion or pain is still present use nosedrops no more than 5 days.
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for sinus pain or fever over 102 degrees F.
- Unless your child has hay fever as well, do not give allergy medicine or antihistamines. It will slow the secretions from draining.
A sinus infection is not contagious. Your child can return to school or other activities when there is no longer a fever present and he or she begins to feel better.
If your child's fever is not gone within 48 hours of taking the first dose of antibiotics or you have other questions, contact your child's physician during office hours. However, if your child experiences redness or swelling around the cheek, on the eyelid or on the forehead, or he or she starts acting very sick, contact a physician immediately.