Lesions of the oral mucosa, including herpes on the gums, are the second most common diseases after influenza and SARS. The symptoms of these pathologies are very similar. Rashes in the mouth disrupt a person's quality of life, causing pain and discomfort. If they are found, you should consult a doctor to make a correct diagnosis and get a qualified appointment.
Herpes on the gums
Herpes simplex virus type 1 can manifest itself in different age groups. However, for the first time it enters the body when the patient is in childhood. With a decrease in immunity, the virus is activated, as a result of which mucous membranes or skin can be affected.
It is believed that herpes on the gums or other parts of the body is not dangerous. However, this pathology is very unpleasant for both adults and children.
Signs of disease
All people have herpes on the gumsymptoms are similar:
- one or more itchy vesicles appear on the mucous membrane;
- there is tingling and swelling in the area of the future rash;
- loss of appetite, pain when eating;
- after the rupture of the bubble, a painful ulcer with white or yellowish uneven edges forms in its place.
In children, recurrence or primary infection is often accompanied by fever, general malaise and headaches.
Reasons and provocateurs
The most important factor contributing to the development of the disease is reduced immunity. Often, herpes joins during a cold. The following reasons can provoke a relapse:
- stress or serious emotional distress;
- decrease in the protective functions of the body;
- heatstroke;
- injury to the gums and mucous membranes of the mouth;
- menstruation or pregnancy in women, as well as the postpartum period.
It also happens that as a result of dental treatment and after the installation of a seal, herpes appeared on the gum. This can happen due to the effects of drugs (analgesics, antiseptics), due to trauma to the mucous membrane with a drill or instruments, if the gums are irritated by poorly installed material.
Common delusion
Often, parents confuse gum herpes in a child with stomatitis. Indeed, the symptoms of these diseases are very similar. Pathologies can even merge into a single form:gingivostomatitis. Despite this, herpes and stomatitis still have differences that attentive parents can notice on their own.
- The herpes virus infects tissues adjacent to the bones, and stomatitis appears on the mucous membrane of the tongue, cheeks and throat.
- With herpes, the disease begins with the appearance of blisters, and stomatitis manifests itself as loose ulcers immediately.
- The herpes virus often appears in a certain place, and stomatitis can have different localization.
If you have experienced herpes at least once in your life, it will not be difficult to distinguish it from stomatitis.
Symptomatic treatment
If herpes appears on the gum, treatment should begin immediately. The sooner action is taken, the less time the therapy will take, and it will also be less expensive. The first drugs in symptomatic treatment are antipyretics. They help relieve pain, and also reduce the temperature when it rises. Babies should be given special children's medicines: Nurofen, Panadol, Ibuklin Junior. Adult patients can choose the remedy that is more familiar to them. Popular drugs are made on the basis of ibuprofen, paracetamol, ketorolac, baralgin, metamizole sodium and other substances.
To anesthetize herpes before eating, you can apply dental gels to the affected area: "Cholisal", "Kamistad", "Kalgel" and others. Many of them are also antiseptics. An adult is allowed to hold a solution of lidocaine in his mouth, but only ifhe is not allergic.
Until the herpes is completely cured, you need to give up fresh fruits, vegetables, juices and any food that contains irritating acids. You also need to exclude rough food. Drink plenty of clean water, eat soft foods that are high in protein and nutrients.
Specific drugs
If herpes has just appeared on the gum, then you need to use antiviral agents. The sooner you start taking them, the greater the likelihood of a positive result. Effective drugs against the herpes virus of the first type are: Zovirax, Acyclovir, Denavir, Valaciclovir. Carefully read the instructions before use, and it is better to consult a doctor. Some antivirals are contraindicated for children under a certain age, and others are not prescribed for people with HIV. Often, drugs to combat the herpes virus are combined with classic interferon inducers that increase immunity: Cycloferon, Kipferon, Isoprinosine, and so on.
Doctors say that the use of specific drugs is necessary to shorten the duration of the disease, speed up recovery, and they are also taken to relieve symptoms. If you do not use these medicines, then the body will cope with the infection on its own, and recovery will occur in 7-14 days. If a bacterial complication occurs, which is often caused by improper oral hygiene, then the duration of the disease will increase, and the patient will need more seriousmedicines.
Folk remedies
Often, patients try to resort to proven folk remedies for the treatment of herpes on the gums. Methods include rinsing the mouth and treating the damaged surface. It should be cautioned that such manipulations can cause allergies. It is not recommended to conduct such experiments on children. But an adult can afford one of the effective ways.
- Rinsing with decoctions of herbs that give anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. Suitable for this dried shoots of chamomile, sage, succession, celandine, wormwood and lemon balm. Pour boiling water over the herb, cool, strain and rinse your mouth after each meal.
- Peach kernel, ginger, tea tree, sea buckthorn and orange oil will help cure herpes on the gums faster. Apply natural medicine to the affected area pointwise.
- Cranberry not only helps to cope with herpes, but also increases the overall resistance of the body. It is important to use it correctly. Pour boiling water over the berries, let it brew. The decoction can be drunk or used as a rinse.
- By rubbing herpetic eruptions on the gums with half a raisin, you will significantly reduce the duration of the disease. Keep dried fruit clean and soft.
After illness
You already know how to treat herpes on the gums. It is important to take precautions after recovery:
- keep your mouth clean and wash your hands often;
- avoid mucosal injury;
- eat well and maintain a he althy lifestyle;
- give up bad habits;
- do not come into contact with infected people.
Acquired once, the virus settles forever in the human body. It is stored in the nerve cells of the brain, being in hibernation. It is impossible to get rid of the pathogen forever. But every patient can prevent the awakening of the virus. Some people who have had herpes on the gums never experience a similar problem again.
