Frontitis in a child: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods

Frontitis in a child is a common disease. It is an inflammation of the frontal tissues in the sinus of the nose.

This type of disease gives children discomfort and discomfort, it can provoke a number of negative consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to know the main causes, symptoms, especially the diagnosis and treatment of this problem.

Types of disease

There are various forms of the disease. Frontitis is classified into the following types:

• Unilateral.
• Double sided.
• Catarrhal and others

Unilateral

During the diagnosis, it is found that the disease is involved in only one sinus of the nose, located in front of the forehead. In this situation, the kids will complain of malaise in one part of the frontal lobe.

Double sided

In most cases, frontal sinusitis occurs in acute form. A distinctive feature is extensive inflammation of the frontal sinus. In this case, immediate treatment is required so as not to lead to more pathological forms.

Catarrhal

As a rule, it is a chronic form of frontal sinusitis. In this situation, the symptoms of the disease are absent, but inflammation occurs in the tissues of the frontal sinus. It is characterized by swelling of the mucous membrane of the canals, discomfort in the forehead, and a problem with nasal breathing.

Purulent

Modified frontal course, proceeding in a severe form. It is provoked by a bacterial infection. According to statistics, 2% of sick children with purulent frontitis experience an unforeseen complication of inflammation of the cerebral cortex.

Serous

This form is caused by a prolonged inflammatory process, which leads the patient to the decay of the affected tissues of the frontal sinuses. In this case, the process of atrophy of the mucous membrane is possible for the child. And in the near future, the focus of inflammation will begin to make itself felt the first manifestations of the complications of this disease.

Regardless of the type of frontitis that was detected in the child, it is advisable to start drug therapy, which should start in the near future in the hope that the disease does not turn into a chronic form of its course.

Otherwise, the baby will have to suffer all his life from periodic exacerbations of the inflammatory process.

Causes

Frontitis in a child occurs from 5 years, because it is at this age that the paranasal sinuses begin to form.

This disease has many provoking factors. However, the most common causes of frontal sinusitis in children are:

1. Weakened immunity.
2. Allergy. Because of this reaction, the airways narrow. One type of allergic reaction is rhinitis.
3. Dental diseases (especially caries).
4. Congenital curvature of the nasal septum.
5. Damage due to injuries, bumps, all kinds of falls or deformations of the skull.
6. Hypothermia. A prolonged stay in the cold leads to this disease. Most often this happens due to the fault of the parents, because they dress children not according to the weather.
7. Infections and viruses (SARS or influenza).
8. Incorrect treatment.
9. Foreign intervention. Very often, children stuff small details into their nose, resulting in frontal sinusitis.

Symptoms

Fundamental signs of frontal sinusitis in children:

1. Aching pain in the area where the eyebrows are located. When pressing on this place, discomfort occurs.
2. Nasal congestion is observed in the absence of a runny nose.
3. Headaches (especially in the frontal part), which intensify during sudden head movements.
4. High body temperature.
5. Discharge from the nasal canals (yellow or green mucus), unpleasant odor.
6. The child does not smell.
7. Deterioration of well-being, pallor of the face, difficulty in nasal breathing, swelling around the eyes.
8. Loss of appetite.
9. Cough, which is even more aggravated when lying down (at night).
10. Restless sleep.

Important! The consequences can be quite serious. Therefore, you need to start treatment on time, if the child does not breathe, and does not stop halfway.

Diagnostics

The doctor will be able to make a diagnosis if he examines the patient externally, examines the medical history (when and how the exacerbations occurred), listens to the patient’s complaints (for example, the child’s nose does not breathe), and finally conduct his own research.

For this, children undergo the following types of diagnostics:

1. Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and all sections of the nasopharynx. It will completely eliminate a number of blocking air circulations, because often children push foreign objects into their nose.
2. Rhinoscopy Using specialized tools, the ENT will visually examine the mucous membranes and analyze the epithelial surfaces of the organ.
3. X-ray - with the help of it the doctor will see the presence or absence of an inflammatory process in the sinus of the nose (manifests itself in the form of dark spots).
4. Baksev. An aseptic cotton swab is taken to select the mucosa from the baby’s nasal opening. This study identifies specific infections.
5. Ultrasound (if there is no x-ray).
6. CT scan. The most effective diagnostic method that allows a specialist to see fluid accumulation in the frontal part, if present.
7. Scintigraphy. The final type of study. It is used in case of complications, it allows to identify a number of pathologies.

In the early stages, the disease can be treated quickly, so if you identify one of the causes, you should immediately consult a doctor. The main thing is not to hesitate so as not to aggravate the condition of the child.

Treatment

After symptoms have been identified and the doctor examined the child, a course of treatment is prescribed. How to relieve nasal breathing? Therapy consists of the following points:

1. Antibiotics. Appointed in case of persisting prolonged symptoms (more than 7 days) and with the onset of fever. Before the appointment of such drugs, it is advisable to examine the child's body for the sensitivity of microflora. This will provide a more effective course of treatment. But you need to know that if the antibiotic does not work for three days and no changes are visible, then it should be replaced with a more effective drug.
2. Probiotics Normalize the intestinal microflora, retain useful intestinal trace elements.
3. Antipyretic drugs. Prescribe in case of fever in the child, for example, "Paracetomol", "Nurofen", etc.
4. Vitamins and mineral complex treatment. They help strengthen the baby’s immune system.
5. Physiotherapy: electrophoresis (warming the frontal lobe and nose with dry air), nasal quartz (the process of disinfection using ultraviolet rays), laser therapy, UHF (ultra-high-frequency therapy).
6. Antihistamines. They will help to suspend the inflammatory process, blocking the production of mucus and relieve swelling ("Loratadin" and "Diazolin").
7. Anti-inflammatory drugs (drops, aerosols and nasal sprays).
8. Surgical intervention. With the ineffectiveness of previous methods of treatment, surgery occurs.

It is very important to conduct treatment with antiseptic solutions for washing the nose ("Cameton", in other cases - "Chlorhexidine", "Miramistin", "Furacilin"). If drug therapy has not yielded results, specialists resort to surgical intervention.

This takes into account the patient's age, tolerance and allergic reaction to anesthesia, weight, medical history. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.

Other methods

With frontal sinusitis in children, symptoms and treatment are interrelated. As an additional way, traditional medicine comes to the rescue, previously agreed with the doctor.

The following products significantly improve the patient’s well-being:

1. Shabby cranberries with sugar - this tool will help strengthen immunity with vitamins (in particular, C), which fight against infectious colds.
2. Raspberries. In each house, raspberries (in any form) must be prepared for the winter, it contains many vitamins that can fight colds.
3. Herbs, especially chamomile, sage, calendula, they can gargle and wash your nose, microbes are well killed.
4. Inhalation with soda, herbs and iodine.
5. Breathe over potato steam.
6. To clean the nasal mucosa, warm water also helps with the addition of a couple of drops of tea tree oil. You need to drip your nose, then remove the mucus.
7. Do not forget about oxolinic ointment and Zvezdochka balm.
8. Aromalampa - eucalyptus oil is heated in it. The procedure facilitates nasal breathing.
9. Massaging biological points. The first of them is between the eyebrows, the second is in the middle of the forehead, the third is the temples, the fourth on both sides of the nostrils. Massaging movements can reduce pain. The pressure must be soft, it must be rotated clockwise.

Before applying these methods, you need to make sure that the child is not allergic to these substances.

Prevention

One of the most effective methods of combating the disease is preventive procedures, which are primarily aimed at strengthening the baby's immunity.

What are they:

1. First of all, parents are obliged to create comfortable conditions for the child. The nursery should be constantly aired at any time. It is also necessary to moisturize it. Humidifiers are used for this. They will be replaced by the placement of small containers of water in different parts of the children's room.
2. Strengthen the child’s immunity by hardening (contrast shower).
3. Watch for proper nutrition.
4. In time to treat various diseases so that they do not develop into severe forms.
5. Give vitamins regularly.
6. Physical activity, daily walks in the air (if weather permits).
7. Try to avoid hypothermia and drafts. Always dress the child according to the weather.

In any case, the condition of the child cannot be ignored. The sooner treatment is started, the faster recovery will be. Otherwise, chronic frontitis in children is possible, which will manifest periodically throughout life.