Sinus Pressure

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Sinus pain/pressure?

Probably a build up or something in the sinus cavities.
Pharmacist

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Sinus cavities can get inflamed, swollen or accumulate mucus causing a build up or pressure in these cavities.

If the openings from the sinuses into the nasal passage become blocked, a vacuum within the sinus cavity can lead to negative pressure resulting in sinus pain and pressure.

Sinuses are filled with air and lined with mucus membranes. They produce mucus which cleans and moistens the lining of the nose and throat. The nose allows for free exchange of air and mucus with the sinus.

Before seeing what a pharmacist recommend for sinus pressure relief over-the-counter, let's make sure it is sinus pressure your child is experiencing.


Girl with sinus pain and pressure

FYI Continue

 

 

 

Sinus Pressure

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Is it the sinuses?

Does your child feel tightness and pain behind the eyes?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

 

What about pounding on the forehead and face?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Chances this is sinus pressure is getting high.
Pharmacist

 

Is the child also complaining of ear ache or pressure?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Probably looking at sinus pain and pressure.
Pharmacist

 

Does the child feel like he or she has a toothache?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Sinus pressure sometimes feel like a toothache.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • Tightness and pain behind the eyes.
  • Pounding on the forehead and face
  • Ear pain and pressure.
  • Feeling the tooth ache.

 

Is he or she experiencing pain and pressure across the cheek?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Probably looking at sinus pressure.
Pharmacist

Let's continue and see how to take care of this.

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We just went through the main signs of a sinus pressure.
Pharmacist

Let's continue and see how to take care of this if you think your child is experiencing one.

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Sinus pressure

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What caused it?

What may be causing this sinus pain/pressure?
Pharmacist

There are different causes of pressure in the sinuses. Eliminating this pressure will go a long way to providing relief of the symptoms.

 

Is the pressure as a result of a cold or flu?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Mucus must be blocking the opening of the sinuses.
Pharmacist
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Usually in a healthy sinus, air and mucus are able to flow between the nasal passages and the sinuses easily.

If mucus blocks the nasal passages due to the small hairs in there not working properly to move mucus out, or if a cold causes too much mucus to be produced and blocks the opening of the sinuses or even if nasal polyps block this openings, one will be looking at a sinus pressure build up.

Let's make sure the sinuses are not infected since bacteria and other germs can grow easily in the build up of mucus.

FYI

 

Is it as a result of allergy to pollens or dust?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Is this a sinus infection?
Pharmacist

Next questions will check for signs of infection or inflammation.

 

Yes?

 

With this sinus pressure, does the child also have fever?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at a sinus infection

Urgent Care

 

Would you say the face feels tender and swollen with this sinus pressure?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Might be looking at a sinus infection.

Urgent Care

 

What about headache and a very bad cough especially at night?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at a sinus infection

Urgent Care

 

Has he or she lost the sense of smell with this sinus pressure?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May be looking at a sinus infection

Urgent Care

 

Any foul or metallic taste since the sinus pressure started?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Sinus infection possibility.

Urgent Care

 

Has this been going on for longer than 2 weeks?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • The sinuses are going to be infected by now.

Urgent Care

 


There are other reasons for sinus pressure besides an infection.
Pharmacist

Let's see what we can come up with if you don't think you are looking at a sinus infection.

If you think you are, your child will have to see a doctor. Nothing over the counter will take care of this.

Would you like to see the nearest children's urgent care clinic to you from the discussions so far?

Urgent Care Continue

 

 

 

 

Sinus pressure

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Has the child been diagnosed with nasal polyps in the past?
Pharmacist

The symptoms are usually:

  • Nose feeling blocked
  • Reduced or complete loss of sense of smell
  • Runny nose
  • Breathing through the mouth.

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • These may have returned.
  • They may block the opening of the sinuses leading to pressure and pain in the sinuses.

Urgent Care

 

What about a deviated nasal septum?

Or nasal bone spur?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or the doctor for further evaluation.
Pharmacist

Urgent Care

 

Did the sinus pressure improve initially for about 3 to 4 days

And now is getting worse?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at sinus infection.

Urgent Care

 

Alright.
Let's get something for this sinus pain/pressure your child is experiencing.
Pharmacist

If you think your child is looking at a sinus infection, improving the drainage in the sinuses and fighting the infection with antibiotics will help resolve it.

Child should see a doctor for detailed evaluation and if needed, a prescription for an antibiotic.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend to help improve sinus drainage that is available over-the-counter.

Urgent Care Continue