Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Illustration
Sinus Congestion - Brief Version
For an illustration of the location of the sinuses, click here
What is sinus congestion?
Your child may have a runny nose that is blocked with mucus.
This is sinus congestion. Most of the time it comes with
colds or hay fever. Your child may feel fullness, pressure,
or pain in the face around the nose. The pain may also be
above the eyebrow, behind the eye, or over the check bone.
How can I take care of my child?
- Give nasal washes.
Put several drops of warm water or saline nose drops in
your child's nose. (You can get saline nose drops at the
drug store. Never use a glass dropper for nose drops.)
Use a rounded suction bulb. Gently suction out mucus
from your child's nose.
Suction mucus at least four times a day or whenever your
child cannot breathe through the nose.
- Use decongestant nose drops or spray.
If your child's sinuses are still blocked, use
decongestant nose drops or sprays. Do not use
decongestant nose drops for children under age 6 unless
your doctor tells you to. If your child is age 6 or
over, use 1 drop or spray per side. Do the drops two
times a day. If your child is age 12 or over, use 2 drops
or sprays per side. Do this two times a day.
Have your child use the nose drops for the first 2 or 3
days.
Do not use decongestant drops or sprays for more than 5
days. When you use the drops longer than that, it can
cause more problems.
- Give pain medicine.
Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen
(Advil) to stop pain. No aspirin.
Keep giving the medicine when there is pain until your
child's nose clears up.
- Use antihistamines.
If your child also has hay fever, give the allergy
medicines your doctor thinks best.
Call your child's doctor right away if:
- Your child's cheeks or eyelids are red or swell.
- Your child starts to act very sick.
Call your doctor during office hours if:
- The pain lasts more than 1 day after your child gets
treated.
- The sinus congestion goes on for more than 1 week.
- Your child has a fever for more than 3 days.
- Nose mucus and discharge gets yellow or green and stays
that way for more than 3 days.
- You have other concerns or questions.
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