Rhinosinusitis/persistent runny nose

A runny nose is extremely common in young children. It is usually caused by coughs and colds, which your child can catch repeatedly, especially over the winter months. It is more common in children attending nursery/childcare. A cold typically lasts 7-10 days but when your child catches another infection before they have fully recovered for the first time it can seem like it is going on forever! Very few children with persistent runny noses require prescribed treatments such as antibiotics.

Symptoms that suggest specific treatment is required include:

  • Persistent offensive discharge (green or bloody mucus) lasting longer than 10 days
  • Completely blocked nose
  • Pain and tenderness on one side of the face, around the eyes or forehead
  • Headache
  • Fever
When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
  • is going blue around the lips
  • Has a fit/seizure
  • Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
  • Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the 'Glass Test')
  • Is under 1 month of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above






You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

  • Severe pain in eyes
  • Redness and swelling of the skin around the eyes
  • Extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Changes in vision including flashing lights (vision can appear blurred or misted because of discharge smeared over the surface of the eye, but this will usually clear on blinking or wiping the eyes)
  • Severe headache
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Babies under 28 days with a red eye(s) or lots of thick pus from their eye(s). A sticky eye(s) without redness or swelling is quite common in babies due to blocked tear ducts - this does not require review by a doctor
  • Is having breathing problems, such as rapid breathing, shortness of breath or laboured breathing (drawing in of muscles below the lower ribs when they breath in)
  • Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or no urine passed for 12 hours)
  • Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) - especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
  • Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
  • Is between 1-3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100°F or above; or 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations).
  • Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
  • Is getting worse or if you are worried






You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or contact NHS Wales 111 â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹

If none of the above features are present







Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, ring your GP surgery or contact NHS Wales 111 

Causes of rhinosinusitis

Most cases of rhinosinusitis in children are caused by an infection; your child may also have a sore throat, cough or earache.

Treatment

Most children with rhinosinusitis do not need treatment with antibiotics - they recover just as quickly without them and can avoid some of the side effect that antibiotics can cause.

If your child has any features of severe infection (amber or red features), they will need to be assessed urgently by a healthcare professional.

You can help relieve symptoms by:

  • Giving your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to help relieve pain
  • Holding a warm clean flannel over their face for a few minutes several times day
  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids

It can take up to 2 weeks for a child to fully recover from rhinosinusitis.

This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

NHS 111 Wales

Website: NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales (Option 2) telephone service is available 24/7 and can be used for urgent mental health advice and support.

 

Meic

Website: www.meiccymru.org

Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Chat online, freephone 080880 23456, or text 84001.

 

 

C.A.L.L. Community Advice Listening Line

Website: www.callhelpline.org.uk

Provides a confidential mental health listening and emotional support line which is open 24/7. Call 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066.

 

 

Shout

Website: www.giveusashout.org

Text ‘shout’ to 85258 anytime, day or night.

 

 

Childline

Website: www.childline.org.uk

If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.

 

 

Samaritans

Website: www.samaritans.org/wales/samaritans-cymru/

Call 116 123 free, anytime, day or night.

 

 

Papyrus

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–midnight every day.

 

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Need help? Call our helpline 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year on 0800 58 58 58.

 

 

DAN 24/7 - Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline

Website: www.dan247.org.uk/

Freephone 0808 808 2234, or text DAN to 81066.

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  • Try to stay calm.
  • Tell them you are there for them and that you are not upset or angry.
  • Tell them you are pleased they have told you they are having thoughts of harming themselves and that you are able to help them through this time.
  • Listen to what they are saying even if they are venting anger or other negative emotions at you.
  • Listen without interrupting.
  • Validate their thoughts and feelings – they are real and important.
  • Try to be emotionally available and present for your child.
  • Once things appear to be settling please encourage your child to relax as the day/ evening progresses and make some suggestions for things you can do together to distract them from their thoughts (see below for some ideas).
  • Try to proactively manage any potential conflicts or arguments within your immediate environment.
  • Be mindful of excessive use of mobile devices but that young people really need to feel connected to others at times of distress.

If you are concerned that your child/ young person is at risk of harming themselves, please ensure the following:

  • All medications (prescribed/ over the counter/ vitamins) are removed and/ or locked in a strong lockable medical box or locked cupboard.  Medication needs to be stored in this way in all houses where the young person stays, including grandparents, foster carers, step parents and residential homes.
  • All sharp objects, such as knives and razor blades, to be removed and/ or stored securely.
  • Ensure the young person has not got a stock of medication or sharp objects in their room or amongst their property.
  • Other environmental risks in your home should be considered, e.g. removing ropes, ties, dressing gown ties.
  • Do not allow your child/ young person to go out alone or with friends during times of distress and when they are voicing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
  • Monitor your child/ young person’s mood and behaviour closely.
  • Increase your presence and supervision of your child at home, if needed remaining awake or checking on them during the night.
  • Ask them about thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
  • ​​​​Look out for any warning signs in your child/ young person that they might be struggling.

  • Distract yourself - watch a film or TV programme, play a computer game that absorbs your mind, or read a book you’re really interested in
  • Get creative – drawing, mindful colouring, taking photos, listening to music, singing
  • Get moving – walk, run, dance, do an exercise or yoga video
  • Comfort yourself – have bubble bath or shower, eat something you like, stroke a pet, cuddle up tightly in a blanket, rock/ hug yourself, spray a favourite perfume

 

Alternatives to self-harm when the urge to harm is very strong:

  • Hold ice in your hand for as long as you can
  • Step under a cold shower briefly
  • Run your hands under cold water
  • Snap an elastic band against your wrist
  • Hit a cushion against the wall or bed
  • Punch a punch bag or pillow
  • Go for a fast paced walk or run up and down the stairs several times
  • Tear or scrunch up paper

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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