It is very important to visit an ENT pediatric doctor when you experience the following signs and symptoms:
1. Constant Coughing
It is rare that chronic coughing will not be accompanied by other symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, especially in children who suffer from asthma or allergies. If your child suffers from an unexplained chronic cough that cannot be explained, then you should see your doctor immediately. Pneumonia is a common cause of a long-lasting cough in young children, and it could lead to serious complications if left untreated.
2. Recurrent Ear Infections
Recurrent ear infections are a common symptom of pediatric ENT problems. If your child experiences more than 3 or 4 ear infections in a 6-month period, then you should seek medical attention. This could be a sign of an underlying problem such as fluid accumulation in the middle ear, eustachian tube dysfunction, or even allergies.
3. Sudden Change in Voice
If your child’s voice suddenly changes and becomes hoarse, it is important to see your doctor. This could be a sign of a serious problem such as laryngitis, chronic hoarseness, or even cancer.
4. Persistent Nasal Congestion
If your child has persistent nasal congestion accompanied by a stuffy nose, it is very important to see your ENT pediatric doctor. This could be a sign of an underlying problem such as allergies or sinusitis.
5. Snoring
Although snoring can occur in healthy children without any underlying conditions, it is still advisable to seek medical attention if your child’s snoring becomes chronic and interferes with sleep quality. Snoring can also be a side effect of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which are the most common cause of breathing problems in children.
6. Ringing in Ears
If you notice that your child has ringing ears often, take them to see the pediatrician for hearing tests, as this might indicate damage to nerves due to noise exposure.
7. Blocked Tear Ducts
Blocked tear ducts can be very uncomfortable and can cause watery eyes, often accompanied by redness, swelling, and irritation of the eye. This could be a sign of an obstruction in the tear duct, which your pediatric ENT doctor should check for proper diagnosis and treatment.
8. Difficulty Swallowing
Suppose your child experiences difficulty swallowing along with other symptoms such as choking or gagging when drinking or eating food. In that case, it is important to seek medical attention immediately because this could indicate muscle paralysis due to nerve damage, leading to problems in facial muscles if untreated.
9. Chronic Coughing During Sleep
If you notice that your child has a chronic cough during sleep, it is important to get them checked by an ENT pediatrician. This could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition that can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and cognitive impairment if left untreated.
10. Facial Asymmetry
If you notice that one side of your child’s face looks different from the other side (e.g. one eye appears sunken in or the nose looks uneven), take them to see a pediatric ENT doctor for evaluation. This could be a sign of a tumor or other serious problem.
Anytime you have any concerns about your child’s health, you should immediately seek medical attention from your local pediatrician to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Every child is different, but these are the main symptoms to be aware of if you are concerned that something might not be right with your child’s health. These could indeed signify a serious underlying condition that needs immediate medical attention.