Complications in children

Complications of sinusitis are more common in children than in adults. If your child has had sinusitis and has swelling around the cheekbone or eyelid, it may be a bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue or an infection of the tissue surrounding the eye. Read about cellulitis for more information.

If you notice these symptoms, take your child to see your GP, who may refer them to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Alternatively, you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for information and advice.

Infection of the bone

When the condition is severe, antibiotics are often able to control the spread of infection to the nearby bone. However, in very rare cases (about one in 10,000), infection can spread to the area surrounding the eye, the bones, the blood or the brain.

Glossary

Tissue

Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.  

Brain

The brain controls thought, memory and emotion. It sends messages to the body controlling movement, speech and senses.

Blood

Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi. For example amoxicillin, streptomycin and erythromycin.

Acute

Acute means occuring suddenly or over a short period of time.

Swelling

Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.

Chronic

Chronic usually means a condition that continues for a long time or keeps coming back.