SINUS PAIN AND CONGESTION

Symptom Definition

  • A sensation of fullness, pressure or pain on the face overlying a sinus cavity (above the eyebrow, behind the eye, around the eye, or over the cheekbone).
  • he pain or pressure usually is just on one side of the face.
  • Puffiness or swelling around just one eye.  
  • Commonly associated symptoms are a blocked nose, nasal discharge, and/or postnasal drip.
  • Age limitation: not a reliable symptom before 5 years of age.

Cause

  • Sinus opening is blocked by a cold or hay fever.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR SINUS PAIN AND CONGESTION

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)If

  • Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

  • Your child looks or acts very sick.
  • Fever above 104°F (40°C).
  • Redness or swelling on the cheek, forehead or around the eye.
  • Severe pain.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

  • You think your child needs to be seen.
  • Fever present for more than 3 days.
  • Earache occurs.
  • Lots of yellow or green nasal secretions present for more than 3 days with sinus pain.
  • Sinus pain persists after using nasal washes and pain medicine for 24 hours.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

  • You have other questions or concerns.
  • Sinus congestion and fullness lasts for more than 1 week.

Parent Care at Home If

  • Sinus congestion as part of a cold and you don't think your child needs to be seen
^Back to Top

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR SINUS CONGESTION

  1. Reassurance:  Sinus congestion is normally part of a cold.  Usually home treatment can prevent a true sinus infection.
  2. Nasal Washes:  Use warm water or saline nose drops followed by suction or nose blowing to wash dried mucus or pus out of the nose.  Instill 2-3 drops in each nostril.  Repeat this until the nose is open.  Do nasal washes at least 4 times per day or whenever your child can't breathe through the nose.  To make saline nose drops - add ½ teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz.) of warm water.
  3. Humidifier:  If the air in your home is dry, run a humidifier.
  4. Decongestant Nose Drops or Spray (no prescription needed):  Use this only if the sinus still seems blocked up after nasal washes. Use the long-acting type (e.g. Afrin).  Dosage: 1 drop or spray on each side 2 times/day if over age 6.  Always clean out the nose before using.  Don't use for more than 5 days (reason: rebound congestion).
  5. Pain Medicine:  Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief. The application of ice over the sinus for 20 minutes may also help.
  6. Antihistamines:  Give oral antihistamines only if the child also has hay fever.
  7. Expected Course:  With treatment, the viral sinus congestion usually resolves in 5 to 7 days.  The main complication occurs if bacteria multiply within the blocked sinus (bacterial sinusitis).  This leads to a fever and increased pain.  It needs antibiotics.
  8. Contagiousness:  Sinus infections are not contagious.
  9. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Sinus pain persists for more than 1 day after starting treatment.
    • Sinus congestion and fullness persist for more than 1 week.
    • Fever or yellow/green nasal discharge lasts for more than 3 days.
    • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
^Back to Top

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2003

See Other Topics:

View Anatomic Index of Topics