Children who suffer from allergies, colds, or sinus infections may develop sinus headaches. The pain can occur around the eyes, nose, or forehead. A number of over-the-counter treatments are available for sinus headaches, but if the headache is not relieved within 24 hours, you should contact your physician.
Causes
Sinus headaches are caused by inflammation in the tissues of your sinuses. Colds or flu will often bring on sinus headaches. Allergies are also common causes of sinus headaches in children. If an infection called sinusitis develops, it will lead to severe sinus headaches. Sinus headaches typically result from bacterial or viral-induced infections.
Symptoms
Pressure and pain are the most common symptoms of a sinus headache. The pain is usually worse in the morning when your child gets up and then decreases throughout the day. Sudden temperature changes such as coming into a warm room after being in the cold may make them worse. Your child's face may be very tender or sensitive when you touch it. In addition, pain may grow worse when your child has sudden movements or bends forward.
Identification
Your physician will evaluate your child for confirmation of a diagnosis. Your physician will look into your child's nasal cavity and check for any congestion or nasal discharge. Your physician will press on your child's face and check for tenderness or inflammation. The physician will likely use transillumination by shining a light through the sinuses to check for inflammation. In addition, your physician may perform X-rays or imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis
Treatment
Using steam inhalation is one way to reduce the inflammation that is causing the sinus headache. Try putting your child in a steam-filled bathroom or place a towel over your child's head and over a bowel of hot water. Your child should inhale steam around two to four times per day. Nasal spray saline solution will help to relieve discomfort in nasal passages that lead to sinus headaches. Use antihistamines, decongestants, or anti-inflammatory inhaled nasal steroids relieve sinus headaches caused by allergies. Some antihistamines and decongestants are available at your local pharmacy but your physician will need to prescribe nasal steroids.
