Stomatitis is one of the diseases that is more often diagnosed in children than in adults. This is explained by the fact that babies often taste inappropriate objects, introducing infection or pathogenic bacteria into their mouths. Added to this is an incompletely formed immune system that is unable to withstand the powerful onslaught pathogenic microflora. How to recognize stomatitis on early stage To prevent the disease from becoming chronic, we will look at it in our material. We will also talk about possible complications of the disease and methods of its prevention.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth, more common in children than in adults.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa, accompanied by painful sensations when swallowing and speaking. Since the disease has many varieties, its manifestations may vary. As a rule, a plaque appears in the mouth that looks quite dense, and swelling, ulcers, blisters with liquid, or small cracks may also form. Let's look at how the disease progresses and what are the routes of infection.
Stomatitis in children usually begins with mild discomfort in the mouth. At first, the patient thinks that he simply bit his tongue or the inside of his cheek, or that he tasted too hot tea. However, instead of gradual improvement, he notices that the number of areas in the mouth in which soreness is felt becomes more numerous.
The first symptoms of stomatitis may be accompanied by elevated temperature– up to 38°C, as well as general weakness. Viral stomatitis causes fever up to 40°C. As a rule, these signs gradually disappear, giving way to painful sores and plaque in the mouth. If stomatitis in a child is not treated, it can degenerate into an ulcerative-necrotic, purulent or chronic form. Symptoms, as shown in the photo below, may occur several times a year.
It is possible to clarify whether stomatitis is contagious or not after identifying the causes that provoked the disease The contagiousness of the disease depends on its causative agent, and we will talk about the types of stomatitis below. Viral, bacterial and fungal diseases can be contagious. Stomatitis caused by injury or a reaction to any allergen is not covered. Infectious types of stomatitis are transmitted by airborne droplets, and fungal stomatitis is transmitted from mother to child during childbirth or from an infected baby to a healthy one through toys and pacifiers.
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Most often, stomatitis occurs in children due to bacteria entering the mucous membranes of the oral cavity or infection with yeast-like fungi. Unwashed hands and dirty toys that get into the baby's mouth can cause painful rashes. The offspring can also become infected kindergarten from one of his comrades.
It is worth understanding that young children have weaker immunity than adults, so they get sick (including stomatitis) more often. At the same time healthy baby who regularly walks on fresh air, eats rationally and sleeps enough has less chance of getting sick.
Stomatitis can have a different nature, and the choice of therapy depends on the diagnosis. In children, the disease often provokes bacterial infection, as well as mushrooms of the genus Candida. This does not mean that the baby cannot be diagnosed with a viral or allergic stomatitis. Let's look at the types of the disease and the symptoms that accompany each of them.
Viral stomatitis refers to a condition caused by the herpes virus. It manifests itself in the same way as a herpes cold on the lips, only the localization of the bubbles is found on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Fluid blisters appear on the tongue, inner cheeks and lips, and rarely on the gums or palate. Over time, the blisters burst, forming ulcers that are difficult to treat.
Herpetic or viral stomatitis Viral stomatitis has several features that distinguish it from other types of disease:
Bacterial stomatitis The bacterial form is one of the most common in children. Signs of stomatitis in a child:
It is difficult to diagnose the bacterial type on your own; a doctor can do this. clinical manifestations or based on the results laboratory research. A baby can become infected from a playmate, since his local immunity mucous membranes. If one of the parents has damage and cracks on the tongue, palate and gums, the baby has a high probability of contracting an infection.
Traumatic stomatitis is not such a rare occurrence. It is not difficult to injure the oral mucosa - you can easily get a burn when tasting a hot dish, bite your tongue while eating, scratch your cheek with a splintered tooth, etc. Usually such injuries heal quickly, but when immunity is reduced for some reason, the wound can become the beginning of the development of inflammation. The disease also starts from permanent injuries resulting from wearing braces, dentures or a broken tooth.
Traumatic stomatitis Why does the disease occur in children? This condition can be triggered by a fall or hitting the lips with a toy. This type of stomatitis is not transmitted to others, but requires treatment.
It happens that the patient is allergic to some product, but the parents have no idea about it. The allergen accumulates in the blood and tissues, resulting in a reaction in the body in the form of stomatitis. However, more often this type of disease develops as a result of an allergy to dentures. According to statistics, the majority of patients with such stomatitis are women over 50 years of age.
Symptoms of allergic stomatitis:
The candidal form of stomatitis occurs more often in infants. It is caused by fungi of the genus Candida, which are normally present on the mucous membrane healthy person. The active growth of microorganisms is provoked by a decrease protective forces the body due to taking antibiotics, long-term illness, vitamin deficiency, etc. For adults, this type of stomatitis is practically not contagious if they do not share the same utensils with the sick person. Babies have weaker immunity, so children are often exposed to infection.
Candidal stomatitis How to determine if your baby has thrush ( popular name candidal stomatitis):
You can tell if a child has stomatitis by various symptoms. If the baby is an infant, he may refuse the breast or pacifier, experiencing pain during feeding. You should evaluate the color of the mucous membrane, check whether there is swelling or a white coating on the cheeks and tongue.
An older child can explain to his parents what is bothering him. Initial symptoms Stomatitis can be mildly expressed (the exception is the herpetic form), and can be accompanied by fever, tearfulness of the child, and refusal to eat.
To make sure that your baby has stomatitis, you should carefully examine his oral cavity. Redness of certain areas of the mucous membrane and a white coating may indicate the development of the disease. In this case, it is advisable to show the child to a pediatrician or dentist.
Stomatitis can be cured, and today there are a lot of drugs for this. We will tell you how to deal with the manifestations of the disease - help your child get rid of discomfort and severe pain and also relieve inflammation. Let's consider traditional methods treatment of illness and folk remedies. In addition, we will tell you how to feed your baby during illness.
Is stomatitis accompanied by pain and the child refuses to eat? You should try to reduce the discomfort. For this, it is advisable to use painkillers. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen show excellent results. However, these drugs should not be abused; they are given only at the beginning of treatment in case of significant pain accompanied by elevated temperature.
For local anesthesia, you can treat the affected areas with special gels, including: Kamistad Baby, Cholisal, Lidochlor, Metrogyl Denta, etc.
Before prescribing medications for treatment, you should find out the nature of the disease. Let's consider the main methods of therapy depending on the pathogen. Treatment of any type of stomatitis in children should be comprehensive - they use both drugs for local anesthesia and internal use.
For viral stomatitis, oxolinic ointment is often prescribed | Type of stomatitis | Therapy methods | Drugs |
| Viral (herpetic) | Antiviral agents, antipyretics and analgesics, antihistamines, local anesthesia | Lidochlor gel, Oxolinic ointment, Acyclovir |
| Bacterial | Antibiotics, local treatment | Lincomycin, Gentomycin (antibiotics), Metrogyl Denta (local anesthesia, antiseptic), Chlorophyllipt (antiseptic) |
| Candidiasis (thrush) | Antifungals, local anesthesia, antiseptics | Cholisal (antiseptic), methylene blue, Candida solution, Nystatin ointment |
| Allergic | Antihistamines, painkillers and antiseptic gels | Finistil or Zodak (anti-allergic drugs), Kamistad Baby |
| Traumatic | Elimination of the cause of mucosal damage, antiseptics, anti-inflammatory drugs | Chlorophyllipt, Metrogil Denta, Kamistad Baby, Lugol, Hexalize (children over 6 years old) (see also:) |
There are a lot folk remedies for the treatment of stomatitis. The most commonly used are tinctures of herbs that have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Chamomile, sage, yarrow, and oak bark are used separately or in equal proportions. You should rinse your mouth several times a day with herbal infusion.
It is possible to treat stomatitis at home with an infusion of sage, chamomile, yarrow and oak bark Other treatments:
Despite the fact that during stomatitis a child cannot eat many foods, the diet must be balanced. It is important to ensure that your baby’s diet includes carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Dishes should not be hot, but not cold, and in a processed form (without large solid particles).
Mashed potatoes with cutlets Carbohydrates on the menu can be presented:
Meat and fish should also be present on the child’s table. It is advisable to cook him meatballs, steam cutlets, and not chops or steaks. Steam the fish or stew it with vegetables. At first, you should avoid sour fruits, try to salt your dishes less, and do not use spices. Do not buy your baby crackers, bagels, or hard cookies.
Fermented milk products can cause pain while eating, so they can be offered after withdrawal. pain syndrome.
The baby's nutrition remains unchanged. You just have to try to treat the oral mucosa after feeding and periodically offer him water.
Therapy for a child is selected according to age. Many medications are not recommended for children under one or two years of age. Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of stomatitis for parents of infants, since small child may respond inadequately to a particular drug. Let's consider what to do with the baby infancy or an older child who has a coating on the tongue and sores.
The most common natural remedy against stomatitis, which works reliably, is baking soda. It is better to use for the treatment of infants natural remedies, familiar to our grandmothers:
Therapy for children older than one year can be the same as for infants. Cholisal gel and Fluconazole are added to the list of approved drugs.
Rotokan - effective antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory agent that is used to treat the oral cavity for stomatitis For older children who can rinse their mouths on their own, you can prepare the following solutions:
Stomatitis in itself is not dangerous disease however, it can cause complications. Pain when chewing and swallowing can cause hypovitaminosis, because the child will not be able to eat fruits, fermented milk products. An unpleasant consequence untreated acute process may become chronic. It is not easy to treat such a disease; with the slightest decrease in immunity, the symptoms will return.
To protect your child and yourself from illness, you should carefully monitor your oral hygiene. Check the condition of teeth, treat caries in time, carry out professional cleaning sediments.
Oral diseases in children are associated with pathological processes occurring in internal organs, weakening of the immune system, adverse effects external factors. The causes are dental pathologies, lack of oral hygiene, unsystematic use of medications, trauma to the mucous membrane due to eating spicy or too hot food, and dehydration.
Violations can also trigger the disease hormonal in nature, deficiency of vitamins and minerals, infections of the ENT organs (whooping cough, scarlet fever, influenza, whooping cough, sinusitis), various viruses, fungi.
Oral diseases, depending on the reasons that caused their development, are divided into:
Stomatitis of the oral mucosa is common in children. The disease is accompanied by redness of the mouth, a whitish coating on the tongue, the inner surface of the cheeks, gums, bad breath, and fever. The child experiences pain and discomfort, refuses to eat, and becomes capricious and whiny.
General symptoms of diseases:
To relieve the inflammatory process and disinfect the affected areas, you need to rinse your mouth with antiseptic agents - a warm decoction of chamomile or sage, a solution of furatsilin, soda or hydrogen peroxide.
The most common type of stomatitis is caused by the herpes virus. Acute form herpetic stomatitis- a contagious disease. Children from 6 months to 3 years with weak immunity are especially susceptible to the disease. With age protective functions the body is strengthened and the likelihood of infection is reduced.
Symptoms of the disease in acute form:
For treatment, drug and local therapy are prescribed. Recommended medicines to improve immunity (gamma globulin injections, Lysozyme, Prodigiosan, herpetic immunoglobulin, etc.); funds general therapy– Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Pipolfen, calcium gluconate, etc.
Local therapy for the disease consists of treating the oral cavity with agents that relieve pain, prevent the spread of rashes, and stimulate the processes of regeneration of damaged tissues.
To destroy viruses, various ointments are prescribed (Oxolinic, Florenal, Heliomycin, Interferon, etc.). For antiseptic treatment, solutions of furatsilin, Etonium, Ethacridine, rosehip oil, Karatolin, Solcoseryl are used.
All dishes for feeding a child should be liquid or porridge-like (soups, broths, purees). To relieve intoxication it is recommended drinking plenty of fluids. Before eating, the oral cavity must be treated with an anesthetic (5% anesthetic emulsion), and after eating, rinse the mouth.
Aphthous stomatitis can be of an allergic or infectious nature, alternating between periods of remission and exacerbation. The first symptoms of the disease are fever (+39... +40ºС), restlessness and moodiness of the child, lethargy, dry mouth.
Gradually, the oral mucosa swells, turns red, and hyperemia of the mucous tissues increases. Aphthae appear on days 3-4 in the form of round or oval erosive formations ranging in size from 1 to 5 mm with yellow or gray coating, surrounded by a red rim. They affect the tongue, lips, cheeks, and can be single or multiple. The disease is accompanied by pain in the mouth, migraine, loss of appetite, stool problems, increased lymph nodes. The duration of the disease is 2-3 weeks.
Candidal stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by Candida fungi. The disease begins with redness and swelling of the tongue, then a white cheesy coating appears on the mucous surface of the cheeks and lips. Under the plaque, ulcers and erosions form, which bleed and hurt.
The cause is a weakened immune system, and provokes the development of the disease and the spread of fungi dairy nutrition babies. For treatment, immunomodulatory drugs are prescribed, and the mouth is regularly treated with soda solution. Good for removing Candida fungi 2% solution boric acid, which is used to treat the oral mucosa 3 times a day.
Gingivitis is a disease associated with inflammatory processes leaking in the gums. It is a consequence of dental damage (caries, plaque or tartar). Often factors that provoke gingivitis may be vitamin deficiency, weakened immunity, hormonal imbalance, infections (herpes).
The disease is accompanied by pain that intensifies during eating and brushing teeth. The gums turn red, swell, become loose and bleeding. If the nature of the disease is infectious, then ulcerative or erosive formations may appear on the gums. Characteristic signs – bad smell from the mouth, copious discharge salivary secretion. Without proper treatment, the disease can be complicated by the development of periodontitis and tooth loss.
To prevent the disease, it is necessary to carefully care for the oral cavity (teeth, gums) - regular hygiene, timely removal of tartar. For treatment, mouth irrigation with infusions is prescribed medicinal herbs– chamomile, sage, plantain. To exclude various pathologies internal organs, you should be examined by a pediatrician.
Thrush is caused by the pathogenic proliferation of fungi of the genus Candida, caused by weakened immunity due to various diseases, dysbacteriosis due to long-term use antibiotics. The disease most often occurs in infants and children under 1 year of age. The pathology appears in the form of a white cheesy coating in the mouth and throat.
A baby can become infected with a fungus during childbirth, if the mother has vaginal candidiasis or due to poor hygiene during subsequent care, if the intestinal microflora is disrupted, which is often found in babies in the first six months of life.
Treatment of the disease consists of treating the oral cavity with a baking soda solution. If thrush is antibacterial in nature, Nystatin or Levorin is prescribed. To increase the level of immunity and normalize the intestinal flora, the child is prescribed good nutrition With high content vitamins (groups B, C, A, nicotinic acid).
Cheilitis is an inflammation of the lips caused by infection of a wound on the lips resulting from injury (cut, burn, mechanical damage upon impact, fall, etc.). Also, the causative agents of the pathology can be herpes viruses, erysipelas or eczema. Oral disease can also be caused by vitamin B2 deficiency.
The disease is accompanied by swelling of the lip and impaired mobility; the mucous membrane of the oral cavity becomes red and painfully sensitive. Sometimes symptoms of general intoxication appear - weakness, headaches and muscle pain.
Zaeda or angular cheilitis is a subtype of cheilitis. The causative agents of the disease are streptococci or fungi. When caught, the corners of the mouth are affected by small but painful erosions, which crack and bleed when the mouth is opened, then become covered with crusts.
Antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate the infection. If an abscess forms, it must be opened and treated antiseptic. In case of inflammation of the labial glands, opening, drainage and cleaning of the infected areas are also indicated.
To treat a fungal infection, nystatin ointment is used, and a viral infection is treated with synthomycin emulsion or penicillin ointment. Vitamin B2 deficiency can be compensated for by consuming riboflavin. It is necessary to regularly clean the mouth, dishes and children's toys, use personal hygiene products (towel, washcloth, toothbrush, dishes).
Traumatic stomatitis can be caused by various one-time injuries or constant mechanical irritation of the oral mucosa. In children, injuries occur due to toys, when falling or biting the tongue or cheek, due to wearing braces; In infants, gum damage may be caused by tooth growth. As a result, pustules, abscesses, ulcers or erosions form at the site of violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane. If there is no external infection in the wound, it heals quickly without side effects.
Treatment consists of eliminating the cause of the injury (the tooth fragment is removed or ground, tartar is removed, incorrect braces or dentures are corrected); wounds are treated with an antiseptic. If infection is present, anti-inflammatory drugs are additionally prescribed.
Glossitis is an inflammatory lesion of the tongue, expressed in peeling of the skin layer and the formation of a whitish thickening in the form of a narrow strip. The affected surfaces are in the form of rings or semi-rings of a light red hue, sometimes merging into larger spots. This condition is called “geographical” tongue due to the loss of homogeneity of the surface of the organ and the similarity with geographical map. There are no other signs in the form of pain or discomfort, redness or swelling; in rare cases, a slight burning sensation of the tongue is felt.
The causes of the disease are unknown, treatment is not prescribed. It is recommended to rinse the mouth with soda solution or Citral.
There are many diseases of the oral cavity, the most common of which are discussed above. Also in medicine, such pathologies of the oral mucosa are described as infectious mononucleosis and viral warts.
Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease. Manifested by an increase (up to the size walnut) and soreness of the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw, the development of sore throat, stomatitis and changes in blood composition.
Infection occurs through the pharynx or nasopharynx and quickly spreads throughout lymphatic system and blood. The disease is accompanied by fever, headaches, drowsiness, lethargy and fatigue, nausea and vomiting. In young children, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen may be observed. The analysis shows an increase in leukocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes; atypical mononuclear cells also appear in the blood (15-30%).
Treatment of mononucleosis is aimed at relieving symptoms - prescribing painkillers and antipyretics, NSAIDs, vitamin and mineral complexes to boost immunity. As a local treatment for the disease, it is recommended to rinse the oronasal cavity with a solution of furatsilin. The patient is prescribed bed rest, isolation, high-calorie food and plenty of fluids.
Viral warts in the oral cavity are neoplasms of benign etiology. There are flat and pointed ones. Most often they strike inner corners mouth and side walls tongue, less commonly they may appear on the gums, lips, or outside of the mouth. In most cases, they accompany warts on the hands or genitals.
Viral warts are treated Oxolinic ointment(3%), Bonafton (0.5%), Florenal (0.5%) and other antiviral ointments. Before applying the product, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse the mouth and brush the teeth.
To avoid the development of various diseases of the child’s oral cavity, it is necessary to early childhood teach to follow the rules of care and hygiene - regularly brush your teeth, limit the consumption of sweets. Subsequently, children can be taught to use dental floss and rinse after each meal.
It is necessary to regularly, at least 2 times a year, visit the dentist with your child, treat caries in a timely manner, remove plaque and stones. Should be strengthened children's immunity hardening, physical exercise, swimming.
The child needs to be provided with adequate nutrition, rich in various vitamins and minerals. IN winter time should be given to the baby as prescribed by the pediatrician various vitamins. It is important to remember that it is always easier to prevent the development of a disease than to treat its consequences.
Oral diseases in children are quite common and common ailments that arise due to poor hygiene, decreased immunity, or injury.
The most common diseases of the oral mucosa in children are: stomatitis, thrush, pyoderma. It is also not uncommon for ailments to develop due to damage to the mucous membranes due to injury.
Stomatitis, which causes a lot of anxiety for a child, is divided into several types: acute aphthous stomatitis, chronic aphthous stomatitis and herpetic stomatitis.
Acute and chronic aphthous stomatitis can be classified as the most common ailments resulting from allergies or infections that affect the oral mucosa. The symptoms of these ailments are very pronounced: aphthae (defects of the mucous membrane), have a round shape, are covered with a whitish coating, and red rims can be seen along the edges of the lesions.
At chronic course Aphtha diseases can affect the mucous membrane in a mild form, or can cause significant damage to the child’s condition. At severe course The disease produces many deep scarring aphthae that do not disappear for a long time. This oral disease is often accompanied by fever, painful sensations.
Unlike aphthous stomatitis, herpetic is called a simple virus herpes. It's pretty dangerous illness, which indicates that the child’s immunity is very weakened. This disease is highly contagious and is transmitted by airborne droplets. Unfortunately, herpetic stomatitis cannot be cured. With the help of immunomodulators and antiviral drugs, it is possible to suppress the spread of viral cells, but it will not be possible to get rid of them completely.
This disease can occur in three forms: mild, moderate and severe. Unlike aphthous stomatitis, this disease has a rather long incubation period- more than two weeks from the moment of infection. The weaker the child’s immunity, the shorter the incubation period. In newborns, this disease can develop within a few days. How older child, the less likely you are to become infected with this virus due to acquired immunity.
Symptoms of acute herpetic stomatitis manifest themselves as follows: increased body temperature (the more severe the form of the disease, the higher the temperature). The mucous membrane of the mouth swells and becomes sensitive. The child experiences itching and pain. Next, small ulcers form on the tongue, gums or oral mucosa. If the form of the disease is mild, then there are not many bubbles. In severe cases, almost the entire mucous membrane is affected, and ulcers can spread to the lips and skin around the mouth. With this disease, it is not uncommon for the gums to bleed and become inflamed, which requires immediate treatment. antiviral drugs. To avoid relapses, you need to strengthen the child’s immunity.
Another disease that is often diagnosed in infants- thrush. This disease is caused by a fungal infection that affects the oral mucosa. The symptoms of thrush are quite easily recognized: a white, cheesy coating on the tongue, gums, and mucous membranes of the mouth. This infection develops against the background of low immunity and due to the very thin epithelium of the oral cavity. Basically, this disease can begin due to poor hygiene when feeding and caring for the child. It is also not uncommon for children to become infected with thrush during childbirth, passing through infected birth canal mother.
Thrush must be treated. Candida fungus tends to grow uncontrollably, affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth. Under the white coating, the epithelium becomes vulnerable to other infections.
There are diseases of the oral cavity that are characterized by streptostaphylococcal lesions of the mucous membrane. This infection, pyoderma, can spread not only to the mucous membranes, but also to the lips and perioral area. This disease Most often diagnosed in children who have weakened immune systems. It is also not uncommon for pyoderma to occur as a result of an unbalanced diet or problems with the digestive tract.
This type of severe oral disease occurs in children who are sick diabetes mellitus. Metabolic disorders create a favorable environment for reproduction pathogenic bacteria. The symptoms of this disease have a pronounced form: a rise in body temperature, a rash on the mucous membranes and skin in the form of small pustules. In severe forms, many blisters form a dense crust, under which pus can accumulate. If this disease is not treated, it easily spreads throughout the body.
Also, do not ignore oral diseases that arise as a result of injuries and damage. With wounds and abrasions on the oral mucosa, which can occur when brushing teeth, eating solid foods, or medical intervention, the risk of infection with dangerous microorganisms increases. You should also be wary of infection dangerous infection due to failure to comply with hygiene rules when caring for an infant.
Almost all diseases of the oral cavity are accompanied by pain and increased body temperature. Parents should know that most children who suffer from such illnesses have weakened immune systems.
The likelihood of damage to the oral mucosa, pharynx and tongue is higher in families where the simplex virus (HSV) circulates. This pathogen often causes colds on the lips in adults. Herpes in a child's mouth is associated with the same types of viruses - HSV-I and HSV-II. Painful lesions of the mucous membranes heal within a few days, but the disease is characterized by a relapsing course. Correct treatment Helps significantly reduce the risk of herpes returning.
Sometimes, without special knowledge and equipment, it is difficult to determine the cause of lesions in the oral mucosa. Stomatitis can be caused by microbes and viruses; microtrauma and lack of vitamins lead to lesions. The mucous membrane lining the tongue, pharynx, the surface of the cheeks and lips from the inside becomes inflamed. Small blisters appear, then round painful wounds.
Herpes simplex is transmitted to children from sick people and carriers of the pathogen through contact and household contact. Primary infection in the mother increases the likelihood of developing herpetic rashes in the newborn up to 50%. If a pregnant woman has previously suffered from this disease, then the baby becomes infected with a probability of about 5%. The period from infection to the onset of symptoms takes 2–12 days. Painful blisters and sores take about a week to heal. All this time, young children behave restlessly and refuse to eat.
Infection of pregnant women with HSV-II during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or premature birth, the birth of a premature baby with damage to the brain or other organs.
The disease manifests itself differently in infants and older children. The most common cases are mild damage to the mucous membrane (vesicles, small ulcers). Herpetic infection in children is accompanied by fever and profuse salivation. Young children have difficulty chewing and swallowing, especially after eating sour or rough foods. The most serious manifestations are accompanied by fever, vomiting, respiratory arrest, and a severe inflammatory response of the entire body (sepsis).
A feature of a viral infection is a recurrent course, the appearance of small bubbles in the same areas, which then open. Breastfeeding women with herpetic rashes are advised to use a mask to avoid direct contact of their saliva with the baby's skin. Infection occurs in 80–90% of cases, but infection occurs much less frequently.
Herpetic stomatitis most often affects children under 5 years of age. Viral infection applies to inner side lips and cheeks, gums, tongue. If blisters and ulcers form only in the pharynx and tonsils, then the disease is considered herpetic sore throat. Complete healing of the mucous membrane in this case occurs within a week (up to 10 days).
Antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpes in the mouth of a child are more effective within 72 hours from the beginning of the active phase of the infection. Prevention of relapses is carried out with smaller doses of antiherpetic drugs. Medicines with antiseptic analgesic, astringent, and cooling properties are used locally. They dry out herpetic blisters, reduce inflammation and discomfort, and improve healing.
How to treat herpes in a child's mouth:
To reduce the pain caused by herpes in the throat and speed up the healing of ulcers, it is recommended to take several priority measures. Children are given a fever reducer with paracetamol or ibuprofen if the temperature rises. Sores in the throat are lubricated with lidocaine-based products. It is not recommended to give fruit juices and other sour-tasting foods to sick babies.
20–30 days after infection with HSV-I and HSV-II, the human body develops immunity that protects against severe relapses of infection in the future. The pathogen, even in the absence of symptoms, remains in an inactive form. Re-development of rashes in the baby’s mouth is possible with weakened immunity, hypothermia, stress, physical or mental stress. Bubbles may appear on the lips, oral mucosa, tongue and pharynx.
Strong immunity does not eliminate, but suppresses the virus in tissues. In a latent state, the infection “sleeps” in individual cells human body. Periodically, herpes is activated and the virus multiplies again. Blisters and ulcers appear, but develop light form disease compared to the primary infection. Only in children with weakened immune systems, relapses of herpes are severe, with the rash spreading to the skin and internal organs.
