What should be done to treat sinusitis in children?
Acute sinusitis is treated with antibiotics, usually for a two to three week course. A short course of nasal decongestant spray (no more than three days) may be helpful to open the sinus drainage pathways and allow the infection to clear more rapidly. Chronic sinusitis can be helped by nasal steroid sprays, which reduce inflammation and swelling. These sprays are fairly safe, and are not absorbed in significant amounts. Therefore, they do not have the same side effects as steroids taken by mouth, and can be used for prolonged periods of time. Antibiotics are also given to these patients, to treat the bacteria which may be contributing to congestion, inflammation and polyp formation. If there is an allergic component to the nasal disease, specific allergy treatment (such as antihistamines) may be useful. However, if allergy is not present, the use of antihistamines is not indicated. Many of these drugs have drying effects on the lining of the nose, which interferes with the body’s abili
