The Link between Allergies and Sinus Infections in Children

Sinus infections do not occur without any triggers. This is because the normal sinuses do not provide the right climate for development of a sinus infection or sinusitis. A series of factors has to occur prior to development of sinusitis. 

Road to Sinus Infection in Children—Blockage

Clearing the mucus and congestion is done without any problem by normally functioning sinuses; because of this there is no opportunity for development of sinus infections. The children suffering from allergy reactions and who have the capability to clear nasal congestion will not have a sinus infection.

Once the sinuses become blocked, the mucus builds up a moist, warm and enclosed space which acts as a medium of growth to bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

There are a number of ways in which the sinus blockages occur due to allergic reactions thereby causing sinus infections. These are:

	The child’s drainage system is not in a position to handle continuous production of mucus in large amounts; hence the mucus remains in the sinus cavities thereby resulting in congestion.
	The exits of the sinus drains are blocked due to dry, crusted mucus blocks
	Sinus drainage points gets narrowed due to swelling and inflammation

Road to Sinus Infection in Children—Inflammation

Road to Sinus Infection in Children—Aggravators

The nasal allergy symptoms and sinuses are aggravated by certain factors which make the sinuses vulnerable for infection. These factors that are responsible for infecting the sinuses of the child are as follows.

	Asthma
	Deviations of the septum
	Cigarette smoke
	Immune problems
	Ear infections
	Gastro esophageal Reflux
	Swimming
	Cystic fibrosis
	Dry air

Linking Allergies and Sinus Infections in Children

The development and growth of sinus infections need some sort of primary environment such as cold or flu. However, in many children allergic reactions cause nasal congestion and nasal allergy symptoms which form the primary condition. In order to prevent the sinus infection it is essential that this primary condition is either prevented or reduced.

The best way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid allergy causing substance or allergen, however, one can take certain measures to prevent sinus infection in children with allergies. These are:

	By humidifying the air one can keep mucus fluid and moving
	Decongestants help in clearing congestion
	Antihistamines reduce swelling and inflammation and prevent drainage
	Mucus congestion is reduced by nasal sprays and saline flushes

It is important to know whether the sinus infections in the child have any connection to the allergies of the child; this helps the parent and the doctor to take necessary preventive measures to prevent any occurrence of bacterial sinus infection. Prevention of sinus infection is beneficial to the child because it need not to rely on heavy dosage of antibiotics and there is reduction of instances of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In case the sinus infections are allowed to deteriorate the acute sinus infection becomes a chronic sinus infection. The chronic sinus infection requires heavy dosage of antibiotics or might cause serious nasal or sinus and bone damage which might require surgery.

The links between allergies and sinus infections are not only focussing on infection but also serves as a symptom for child allergies. If a child suffers from sinus infections on a continual basis, he/she requires thorough checking for allergies that have not been diagnosed so far. In case the child is experiencing many sinus infections it is possible that that these are the result of allergies; this has to be ensured with the help of the family doctor.

Both child allergies and sinus infections do not have a clearcut demarcation. In both these cases, one has to manage these conditions by finding the proper link between the two so that both can be controlled by allergy control measures.