Ever pick your child up
from day care or a church nursery and see other children with “green
gook” running out of their noses? This isn’t simply
a runny nose. It’s a good indication of a sinus infection.
Children can suffer from sinus infections from very young ages,
just as many develop ear infections soon after birth (two-thirds
of sinusitis cases caused by bacteria are due to germs that may
also cause middle ear infections - “otitis
media” - in children). Although tiny, two sets of sinuses
are present from birth; the ethmoid, which are between the eyes,
and the maxillary, located behind the cheeks.
Many of the same symptoms will appear in children as listed on our
sinus home page:
Yellow to green, thicker than normal drainage
post-nasal drip with cough, sore throat,
bad breath, maybe nausea or vomiting
pounding headache, which may be difficult
for very young children to express
extreme tiredness or irritability
puffy eyes
In addition in children:
a cold for more than a week
low fever - usually with hot, dry skin but
can be sweaty
These symptoms can be mistaken for respiratory
infections and it must be determined whether it is bacterial or
viral in nature to avoid wrong or ineffective medication.
A “traditional” physician will undoubtedly prescribe
an antibiotic for any or all infections, but in this case it could
lead to other complications. Plus, the reason for the infection
may not be diagnosed.
Reasons for Sinus and Ear Infections in Children
The yeast buildup that can come from antibiotics, because it does
not allow the “cilia” (tiny hairs lining the sinuses)
to perform their function, can cause respiratory infections like
asthma and bronchitis, to which children are particularly susceptible.
The reason could be dairy! Most baby formulas are milk-
based and contain lactose, a common allergen. Milk makes the mucus
thick, and thick mucus is more likely to trap mold, fungus and bacteria,
in turn becoming a yeast-like substance in the nasal passages and
ear canals of very young children.
The traditional solution is antibiotics. The child then goes into
a vicious cycle of need for antibiotics because it just encourages
more yeast! Ear tubes could possibly be avoided if the child is
switched from lactose-based formula to something else like vitamin-fortified
rice milk or a straight colostrum formula which closely resembles
mother’s milk and replaces milk nutrients for children and
even adults.
