Childhood Sinus Issues: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Each child has four pairs of sinuses. The main function of sinuses is to control the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe. Children may develop problems with their sinuses throughout some point in their childhood.

Types

• Several types of sinus problems occur in children, including acute and chronic sinusitis, allergies and infections.

Effects

• Children who have sinus problems will experience nasal congestion, coughing and difficulty breathing through their nose.

Causes

• A sinus problem occurs when a child's sinuses become blocked due to allergies, infections and irritants.

Diagnosis

• To identify if a child has a sinus problem, a doctor will perform a medical examination and obtain a medical history.

Treatments

• To treat a sinus problem in a child, a doctor will recommended use of a decongestant, antihistamine or nasal spray. If the child does not respond to these medications, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or oral steroids.