Is it a Cold or is it Sinusitis? 5 Myths Busted and Your Best Treatment

It’s that time of year again! The cold weather is heading our way, so colds and flu will soon follow. Yes, winter colds can be terrible, but did you know that many colds can bring on sinusitis? If your little one is struggling with congestion, a runny nose and pain around their face, it could be more than just a cold (and you may need more than just cuddles to cure it). It’s time to bust some myths about sinusitis and how to deliver the best sinusitis treatment!

How do you know if it’s just a cold or something else? Could it be sinusitis? And, if so, is there a safe and effective sinusitis treatment for your little one? 

We have everything you need to know about sinusitis in kids below! 

‘Tis the season for sinusitis

Colds and kids go hand in hand, especially if their hands happen to be at daycare! But, in some instances, a cold can develop into more than just sniffles and become something called sinusitis.

Sinusitis is an infection or inflammation of the sinuses or the little cavities within the bones of the face. Sinusitis causes the spaces inside the nose, known as sinuses, to become inflamed and swollen. This makes it hard to breathe and hard for the sinuses to drain, which is why most people who have sinusitis will experience mucus and congestion. 

Sinusitis can also cause pain in the face, especially around the eyes and nose. As an adult who often gets sinusitis, I can vouch that it’s incredibly uncomfortable. I can only imagine how awful it would be for our little ones! 

Is it a cold, or is it sinusitis? 

Often it can be hard to tell. If your little one’s cold is lingering for longer than a week, then it could be a sign of sinusitis. Sinusitis usually develops after the first signs and symptoms of a cold. Children with a cold will experience congestion and a blocked nose, but sinusitis also includes these symptoms: 

• Thick, yellow or greenish mucus from the nose
• Stuffy or blocked nose, known as congestion
• Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead that gets worse when bending over
• Ear pressure, toothache and headache
• Changed sense of smell 
• Cough
• Tiredness and fever

NOTE: See a health care provider immediately if your little one has pain, swelling or redness around the eyes, high fever, confusion, double vision or other vision changes or a stiff neck.

There are a lot of misconceptions about sinusitis. Many people assume that it’s only caused by allergies or that it’s caused by a bacterial infection, but this actually isn’t the case. The majority of sinusitis cases, especially sinusitis in kids, are caused by the common cold.

Here are a few myths to debunk: 

Myth 1: Sinusitis is contagious 

A sinus infection is not contagious. Common colds, however, are. So, if your little one catches a cold, it could lead to a sinus infection. However, you will not catch a sinus infection from your little one. Catching a cold off them, however, is definitely possible! 

Myth 2: Sinusitis is a bacterial infection

This is sometimes true. Sometimes, a sinus infection is caused by a bacteria, not a virus (such as a cold). Sinusitis can also be caused by allergies, such as hay fever, together with problems inside the nose, such as a deviated nasal septum. Environmental factors can cause a sinus infection, such as smoking. 

Myth 3: The only sinusitis treatment is antibiotics 

As most sinus infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics are not necessary. It is only when the sinusitis is caused by bacteria that antibiotics will work. How can you tell? If your little one’s infection sticks around for longer than 10 days, it could be bacterial. If so, a trip to the doctor can confirm, and they will determine if antibiotics are needed or not. 

Myth 4: The best sinusitis treatment is to wait it out

Getting over sinusitis takes time, but this doesn’t mean your child has to suffer. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to alleviate sinus pressure and sinusitis symptoms.

• A hot or cold compress on their face can be really helpful.
• Having plenty of fluids is also a good idea, and whenever I have a sinus infection, I always find that a humidifier can be handy.
• Panodol can also be given to children, but it’s not always effective when battling specific symptoms like a blocked nose. 

Myth 5: There are no safe medications for sinusitis in kids

For years, this has been the case. But not anymore! A safe, effective, natural sinusitis treatment is available for children as young as two. Best of all, it’s available over the counter!  It’s called Sinupret® Syrup, and it’s a major game-changer for anyone battling sinusitis or common cold symptoms. 

Effective and safe sinus relief with Sinupret®

Sinupret® Syrup is a plant-based formula consisting of 5 herbs – Gentian root, Vervain, Primrose flowers, Common Sorrel and Elderflower. It has a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties tailored to treat acute and chronic sinusitis.

This formula provides anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory effects to relieve symptoms of sinusitis by loosening mucus, opening the nose and clearing the head.

It works in three main ways to treat sinusitis. 

1. Loosens mucus – mucus is liquified for ease of removal
2. Opens the nose – Swelling of the membranes is reduced
3. Clears the head – By reducing mucus and inflammation

Sinusitis treatment and more!

It even reduces the risk of further infections, including ear infections, Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogens (aka strep throat, impetigo) and Staphylococcus aureus (aka golden staph). 

For someone who has battled with sinusitis on and off for years, knowing Sinupret® Syrup exists is a huge bonus! The children’s version (Sinupret® Syrup) is free from dairy, gluten and colour and comes with a pleasant cherry taste. There is also Sinupret® Forte, which is suitable for us oldies and tweens (from 12+). 

Watching our little ones struggle to breathe, especially at night, can be hard. I’ve spent countless hours with my kids as they battle those pesky cold symptoms like a blocked nose and mucus.

Knowing that there is a product that can alleviate these symptoms and help them breathe easier during the day and at night is a parenting game-changer! And knowing it is perfectly safe for even two-year-olds – and tastes good – is a bonus!

Feel easy breathy with Sinupret®

Pick up a bottle at your local pharmacy and stay ‘easy breathy’ this cold and flu season.

Sinupret® Syrup and Sinupret® Forte are now both available across Australia at most chemists, including TerryWhite Chemmart, Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse, Amcal Pharmacy, Discount Drug Stores, Wholelife Pharmacy & Wholefoods, Blooms The Chemist, Pharmacy 4 Less, Cincotta Discount Chemist, Chemist King and Star Pharmacy. 

This is a sponsored post for Actor Pharmaceuticals

*Always read the label and follow the directions for use.