Herpes in the mouth in adults and children: how it looks and how to treat
Herpes is a viral disease, a sign of which is the appearance of vesicles in different parts of the body. One of the subspecies of the disease is herpetic stomatitis, when a rash occurs in the mouth. The disease affects the sky, tonsils, gums, the inner side of the lips, cheeks, tongue. Drugs for the treatment of herpes in the mouth in an adult and especially in a child should be prescribed by a doctor after a complete examination of the patient.
Content
Causes of the disease
The following factors provoke the ailment:
- weakening of the immune system against the background of a recent infection;
- hypothermia or overheating;
- bad sleep;
- excessive loads;
- chronic fatigue;
- menstruation in women;
- poor nutrition;
- surgical intervention;
- lack of hygiene;
- pregnancy;
- stress
- bad habits;
- HIV
- oncological diseases;
- chemotherapy;
- antibiotic therapy;
- contact with the patient.
How is the disease?
Herpes virus is acute and chronic. An acute virus develops upon initial infection. After therapy, the disease goes into a chronic stage. Remaining forever in the body, viral agents make themselves felt every time a drop in immunity.
Stages of the development of the disease:
- Mild - may be asymptomatic, a slight swelling of the mucosa is noticeable.
- The average form - all the symptoms of the disease appear.
- Severe form - profuse rash on the mucous membrane, inflammation of the lymph nodes.
When the disease goes into a severe stage, in addition to the inside of the lips, the cheeks, the palate and even the tonsils are affected.
Symptoms of herpes virus:
- itching and tingling in the mouth;
- pain when eating;
- swelling of the mucous membranes;
- the appearance of a rash in the mouth, later ulcers form in its place;
- temperature increase;
- headache;
- saliva becomes viscous;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- cheeks may become inflamed.
Herpes virus is always accompanied by a burning symptom, and damage to the palate is accompanied by pain with difficulty swallowing.
Localization of the virus in the oral cavity
Herpes of the oral cavity can occur in such areas:
On the inside of the lips. On the inside of the lip, itching is felt, redness occurs. After a few days, bubbles with liquid appear. When they burst, an ulcer forms, which after a day is pulled by a brown crust. After this crust falls off, bleeding cracks remain. The process is accompanied by severe burning and itching.- In the language. The defeat of the tongue by the virus is accompanied by swelling, redness. The organ is covered with a rash, it becomes difficult for the patient to speak.
On the gums. If the sore appears on the gums, the patient's temperature rises. After a week, small vesicles form on the gums, the gums swell and bleed when brushing your teeth. A bluish tint may appear between the teeth. What does herpes look like on the gum? Look at the photo on the right.- On the tonsils. When the tonsils are infected with the virus, their mucosa is covered with rashes that turn into erosion, and then into ulcers, which can become necrotic. A white coating appears on the tonsils and pharynx.The patient feels pain when swallowing and complains of a dry mouth.
In the sky. When the sky is affected, signs of the disease appear, such as increased salivation and bad breath. The oral cavity is covered with yellow plaque, which is not removed even with hygienic treatment. Herpes in the sky looks like small mouth ulcers that disappear just a week later. A cold in the sky can lead to the development of ulcerative necrotic stomatitis in the mouth. To get rid of it, you must first cure colds in the throat and runny nose.
Forms of the course of herpes in the sky
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Photo: cold sores in the mouth
Disseminated form, when there are several lesions in areas of the oral cavity, remote from each other.
- Migratory form, when relapses of the disease are observed in new areas.
- Hemorrhagic form, when the rashes affect the tonsils, and their contents are bloody. This is the most severe form of the disease, since it can lead to necrosis, trigeminal neuralgia. The patient's condition is aggravated by intoxication, muscle pain.
- Erosive-ulcerative form with the formation of defects in place of bubbles that do not heal for a long time. They are covered with a grayish-yellow coating and form scars.
- Edematous form, which is observed in the absence of rashes. Only severe edema is present.
Complications of the disease
If you do not start treatment of a viral disease of the oral cavity in time, the patient will develop such complications:
- apathy;
- headaches;
- vomiting
- heart rhythm disturbance;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- gingivitis;
- the appearance of putrid odor from the mouth;
- disorders in the digestive system;
- stomatitis;
- pharyngitis;
- keratitis, conjunctivitis;
- joint damage;
- viral damage to the kidneys;
- herpetic pneumonia.
Herpes in the child's mouth
Photo: herpes on the oral mucosa in a child
In children, the disease can occur in different ways. It may not cause discomfort when only a few ulcers form in the mouth, and can proceed more rapidly, accompanied by the appearance of bubbles on the tongue, mucous membranes of the cheeks and lips. When the virus activates, the child rises in temperature, there is a headache, discomfort when eating, irritability.
If the disease goes into a more severe stage, bacterial complications are possible. Therefore, parents must learn to recognize the disease in a child in time.
For the first time, a baby’s disease can occur even if all hygiene procedures are followed. The duration of the disease is 10-14 days. After recovery, the virus passes into the nerve ganglia, where it remains until the next decrease in immunity.
How a small child behaves with a disease
With a herpetic lesion of the oral cavity, the behavior of the child changes. He becomes moody, sleeps poorly, and can refuse his favorite food. He has a fever, rhinitis develops. Despite this, he can remain quite active and move a lot.
After 1-2 days, rashes appear on the mucous membrane, which burst after another 2 days, forming ulcers. This condition is maintained for 3-4 days, after which it normalizes.
How to diagnose a disease
Herpes of the oral mucosa is diagnosed after an examination of the oral cavity by a doctor. Sores with this disease have their own characteristics, the specialist will not confuse them with another virus.
Parents should learn to recognize the signs of the disease in order to understand which virus appeared in the baby’s mouth - stomatitis or herpes.
Differences of herpes from stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis
Herpes in the mouth has the following distinguishing features:
- swelling of a certain area of the mucosa;
- the appearance of bubbles, which open with time;
- the affected area covers periosteal structures.
Stomatitis covers the entire oral cavity, sores appear even in the initial stages of the disease.
How to treat cold sores in the mouth
Treatment of herpes oral cavity should be comprehensive. Since herpesvirus refers to non-dangerous chronic diseases, medical procedures are aimed only at alleviating the patient's condition. Particular discomfort is caused by a disease that has become severe. At this stage, the pain practically does not go away, it is difficult for the patient to even speak.
Herpes in the oral cavity is treated with the following measures:
- drug treatment;
- the use of vitamins;
- dieting;
- symptomatic treatment.
How to treat herpes in the mouth of an adult to alleviate the general condition:
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Removing inflammation with medications. Ibuprofen is well established, which is suitable for children. The course of treatment of herpes in the mouth in adults can include Aspirin, Analgin, Nimesulide.
- Oral hygiene. It is necessary to clean the oral cavity of bacteria and food debris daily.
- The use of painkillers. When treating cold sores on the gums, palate and tongue, adults and children over 1 year old are given a special paste on the lesions. Such funds include Kalgel, Holisal. Breastfeeding is not recommended because of the risk of swallowing the medicine.
- Antiviral drugs: Ergoferon, Zovirax, Amiksin.
- Rinsing the oral cavity with antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, Chlorophyllipt. These medicines relieve irritation.
- If complications or purulent ulcers occur, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics: Ceftriaxone, Biseptol.
Important! Antibiotics and antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpes in the mouth can be prescribed only by a doctor. It is necessary to adhere to the treatment regimen given by the doctor and drink the full course of the drug.
How to treat herpes in the mouth of a child
Herpes in the child's mouth should be treated under the strict supervision of a doctor. He will prescribe the most effective antiviral drugs with minimal side effects. Herpes treatment begins at the age of one.
Therapy consists in the local treatment of lesions in the oral region. To do this, use chlorophyllipt or hydrogen peroxide. Wound healing will accelerate Holisal. Of antiviral agents, children can be given a drug based on acyclovir, such drugs are prescribed when the child reaches one year. From adolescence, Valaciclovir or Famciclovir is prescribed.
Diet for herpes oral cavity
Herpes in the mouth in adults can be cured faster if you adhere to a diet. Its main purpose is to reduce the discomfort when swallowing food. Adhering to a diet, you can help reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane.
The basic rules of the diet for herpes of the oral cavity:
- Refusal of sour and salty dishes.
- Limiting the amount of sweets.
- Reception of warm food. It is recommended to cook soups, broths and cereals.
- Adding meat, milk and cheese to the diet.
Alternative methods for treating herpes of the oral cavity
It is advisable to use traditional medicine methods for the treatment of herpes only as prescribed by the doctor and if the disease is at an initial stage. Popular methods of traditional medicine include:
- rinsing the mouth with a decoction of chamomile, wormwood, lemon balm;
- lubrication of affected areas with essential oils of eucalyptus, fir, tea tree;
- lubrication of the mucous membranes with aloe juice and its use inside;
- applying to the affected areas of dried grapes;
- the use of a decoction of cranberries.
How to avoid the disease
If you adhere to preventive measures, you can restrain the disease. Completely get rid of the virus will not work, but certain measures will help reduce the activity of the virus in the human body.
Relapse can be avoided as follows:
- adhering to a healthy lifestyle;
- eating right;
- observing the rules of personal hygiene;
- boosting immunity.
Part of prevention is maintaining a socially active lifestyle, doing what you love, which will reduce the likelihood of stressful situations. It is required to observe a regime of rest and work, to avoid lack of sleep, and also to monitor your diet. It must be varied and balanced. Physical activity and outdoor walks will help improve immunity.
The most important preventative measure is maintaining oral hygiene and keeping personal items clean.
You can prevent the disease by listening to the signals of your body. So, the area where there is a burning sensation can be anointed with Acyclovir or another antiviral ointment - and the rash will not appear.
Treatment of the disease requires a systematic approach, the use of alternative methods alone is not enough. It is necessary to begin treatment of the disease as soon as possible, which will help to suppress the activity of the virus faster and avoid complications. Often the disease goes away even without treatment. However, it is better to treat the disease, because no one knows how strong the immune system will be next time.
To avoid the disease, you need to take care of prevention. By properly organizing your daily routine and diet, you can increase immunity and forget about the disease.
