Stomatitis in young children is a fairly common phenomenon. Before starting treatment, you should understand the causes of the onset of the disease, and then systematically carry out the necessary prevention to prevent relapses. How long does stomatitis last in children and what are its consequences for the child? It depends on the actions of the parents. Let's take a closer look.
Symptoms
If you notice that your child refuses to eat, is naughty a lot, complains of constant pain in the mouth, and when examined, fever, redness and sores on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity are detected, know that this is stomatitis. In infants, it is quite difficult to determine it, since they still do not know how to talk. While older children may let you know about this disease at the very beginning of its manifestation.
How long stomatitis lasts in children depends on its type and methods of treatment. With properly prescribed therapy, this ailment goes away quickly enough and ceases to cause discomfort to your child.
Stomatitis in young children: danger
It is necessary to treat the disease that has arisen. No matter how long stomatitis lasts in children, it can cause unpleasant consequences. Inflammations that appear in the mouth can be transferred to the lips and skin of the face, as well as inside the body. A decrease in immunity as a result of the disease contributes to the attachment of a secondary infection. Against the background of all this, fever, convulsions can develop, damage to the nervous system can occur, and more. And the reason for this can be stomatitis in children. Symptoms and treatment should be determined only by a qualified doctor, since each patient can have an individual disease. Do not delay going to the clinic if something worries you about the behavior and he alth of your child.
Fungal (candidiasis) stomatitis in children
The symptoms and treatment of each type of this disease varies. Most often, candidal stomatitis occurs in infants (from birth to 1.5-2 years). His special attributes:
- body temperature generally does not rise.
- plaque on the oral mucosa from white to gray cheesy type, when it is removed, redness or even bleeding is observed.
- the child's behavior deteriorates sharply: he becomes moody, eats poorly, his sleep becomes restless, as he suffers from pain and dry mouth, and stomatitis in children is to blame.
How many days the illness lasts -depends on the degree of the disease and how it is treated. Topical methods aim to create an alkaline environment in the mouth, which helps eliminate the fungus and prevents its further spread. To do this, rinse your mouth with a solution of soda at least 3-4 times a day. If stomatitis is treated in infants, the mother gently treats the baby's oral cavity with this solution. For older children and adolescents, the doctor may prescribe special antifungal tablets or suspension, which should be taken strictly according to the instructions. Ointment for stomatitis in older children (oxolinic, nystatin, Bonafton, Acyclovir, etc.) is used to treat the cheeks and gums - this is where a large number of fungal bacteria accumulate.
Herpetic stomatitis
This type of stomatitis is common not only in children, but also in adults. Sooner or later, everyone goes through infection with herpes, another question is how the body itself will react to this virus. If the immune system is weakened, then herpetic stomatitis may develop. In children, the symptoms and treatment of this disease are almost the same as those in adults:
- a distinctive feature are small sores in the mouth that cause pain and discomfort.
- baby becomes moody, cries a lot, puts hands in mouth and refuses to eat or drink;
- if stomatitis in young children has turned into an acute form, it manifests itself with all the signs of SARS: high fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, headaches and even chills.
In case of an acute course of the disease, the child must be placed in a hospital. It is difficult to say how long stomatitis lasts in children in severe cases, but it is important to be constantly under the supervision of doctors. If the form is not very severe, then it can be treated at home, however, with tireless monitoring and control of the process. The oral cavity is treated with decoctions of chamomile or sage, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. In order to reduce pain, children from 4 years of age are prescribed antiseptics. And to heal wounds, you can apply sea buckthorn oil or rosehip oil with a cotton swab.
Aphthous stomatitis
The most difficult type, since it is very difficult to identify the cause of its occurrence. It can be either an allergic reaction to one of the foods consumed or a disturbance in the gastrointestinal tract.
- At the very beginning, the sores are similar to mucosal lesions, as in herpetic stomatitis. However, after some period of time they turn into aphthae - white ulcers with regular edges and a strong reddening of the rim.
- The temperature rises, pain increases when talking and eating, the child sleeps poorly and refuses to eat.
Treatment of aphthous stomatitis depends on the pathogen identified by the doctor. In no case should you self-medicate, as you can lose the situation out of control and introduce an additional infection into the child's body.
How to distinguish herpeticand aphthous stomatitis
- Herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the formation of a large number of bubbles in the oral cavity, which after a while turn into sores. With aphthous disease, ulcers are single in nature and are quite large in size - up to a centimeter in diameter.
- When stomatitis caused by the herpes virus, as a rule, the gums are affected, their redness and swelling occur. This is called gingivitis. With aphthous stomatitis, there are no such symptoms.
- Herpetic stomatitis is accompanied by rashes around the lips. Aphthous does not have these symptoms.
Stomatitis in children: Komarovsky recommends
Famous Dr. E. O. Komarovsky has his own view on the disease we are considering. How does viral stomatitis appear in children, how long does it last and whether it needs to be treated - the famous pediatrician gives detailed answers to all these questions. He classifies the disease into:
1. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. It manifests itself with a frequency of one or two times a year and is characterized by aphthae - ulcers in the oral cavity. Aphthae can appear on the tongue, palate, the inside of the cheeks. They are quite large in size and cause unpleasant painful sensations. Even if the disease is not treated, it most often resolves on its own in two weeks.
2. Herpetic stomatitis is manifested by a sharp malaise, fever, headaches. This type is very difficult for children to tolerate. Characterized by a large number of smallbubbles in the mouth.
3. Seizures appear in the corners of the mouth and most often indicate anemia. Therefore, at their first occurrence, Komarovsky advises taking the child to the clinic and checking the level of hemoglobin in the blood. At the same time, he focuses on the fact that it is impossible to raise its level only by eating iron-containing foods. The use of special medications is mandatory.
And how long does stomatitis last in children? This, alas, cannot be predicted even by the famous doctor. However, he knows for sure that in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to carry out regular preventive maintenance.
What are the treatment options for children under 3?
Many products are prohibited for use by young children, and therefore the treatment of stomatitis becomes a little difficult. The child does not know how to rinse his mouth, so the cavity should be treated with napkins or cotton pads soaked in herbal decoctions. The resulting sores can be gently treated with a cotton swab. Before you start treatment or prevention of an illness in a small child, be sure to consult with your doctor and carefully study the instructions for the prescribed drug.
Prevention
- Be sure to wash your hands frequently and with soap. Explain to your children the importance of personal hygiene. Don't let them eat outside, take dirty toys, or sit at the table without washing their hands.
- A special place is occupied by oral hygiene. Be sure to brush your teeth with a good brush andusing the correct paste. Teach your child to brush their tongue and rinse their mouth well.
- Be sure to wash all vegetables and fruits brought from the store or from the market. Most often, it is dirty foods that cause stomatitis in both adults and children.
- If a patient with stomatitis appears in the family, be sure to provide him with a personal towel and separate dishes with cutlery, otherwise he risks infecting other family members.
- Take vitamins and immunomodulating drugs. It is good immunity that will prevent infection and prevent the virus from entering the body of a small child. To the same end, temper your children, take them for long walks in the fresh air, and generally maintain a favorable atmosphere in the family.
Stomatitis is a fairly common disease in both adults and children. However, if basic hygiene rules are observed, it can be avoided. Stay he althy!
