Why does a child get herpes on the lip? What to do with such a disease? We will answer these and other questions in the presented article.
General information
Herpes is the most common viral infection of a chronic nature. There are 2 types of this virus:
- The first type appears on the lips or in the mouth. It usually causes fever, stomatitis and swollen lymph nodes in the neck in children.
- The second type appears on the genitals. He is given special attention, especially in pregnant women. This is due to the fact that during labor, the baby can become infected with a virus, which will require immediate treatment.
Causes of occurrence
For what reasons does herpes occur on the lips of a child (a photo of this trouble is presented in this article)? Such a virus is usually transmitted from person to person through saliva.
Herpes in children on the lips is not a very common occurrence. It should also be noted that such rashes can appear on other parts of the body. Therefore, at the first suspicion of this disease, you should immediately contact your pediatrician.
According to experts,the herpes virus is present in 95% of people. But in a he althy and strong body, he is in the "hibernation" mode. With psychological stress, hypothermia, bright sunlight, excessive heat or cold, as well as elevated body temperature, the virus "awakens".
When herpes occurs on the lips of children, the child may feel a slight burning sensation and slight tingling. The main thing is to warn the baby so that he does not pick the formed blister. Otherwise, it will lead to the development of inflammation.
Most often, herpes in children on the lips occurs after attending school or kindergarten. Moreover, an already sick child can easily infect his classmates.
A child experiences significant stress at school. This lowers his immunity and makes him a good target for a huge amount of germs and bacteria.
Symptoms
Many people know how herpes looks like on the lips of children. For those who have not encountered this trouble, it should be said that it is not difficult to distinguish it.
Before blistering rashes appear on the skin, a person experiences special discomfort. He feels unpleasant itching, tingling and burning. These symptoms are observed exactly in the place where the blister is about to pop up.
After some time, the skin area near the lip turns noticeably red. After that, small bubbles appear on it. In the first few days they are filled with a clear liquid, but later the viral water becomes cloudy.
Herpes on the lips of a child 5years and other ages can last up to 7-10 days. Although in some cases such a nuisance disappears after a few hours.
After the viral contents of the bubbles become cloudy, they begin to burst. Experts say that this is the most dangerous moment in the disease. It is this liquid that can infect people around. Therefore, in the process of bursting the bubbles, it is imperative to apply an antiviral ointment to them.
Herpes on the lips of a child of 3 years and other age usually goes away very quickly. After the release of the viral fluid, a hard crust forms at this site. Over time, it disappears. However, a brownish or pinkish spot still remains in its place for some period.
How does it affect the baby?
Herpes on the lips of a child (2 years old) often causes general malaise. Sometimes a child may suffer from elevated body temperature. There is also a disorder of the stool, nearby lymph nodes increase.
It should be especially noted that very often small children begin to comb the resulting sore. As a result, the virus can infect other mucous membranes, including the eyes. Therefore, if such a trouble occurs in a child, you should definitely monitor him.
Herpes in newborns
The course of such a disease in newborns is very difficult. Moreover, there are many cases when herpes became the cause of death.
As you know, infection of a newborn babyhappens in two ways:
- during pregnancy through the umbilical cord;
- during labor if the mother has a rash on her genitals.
This disease usually develops 5-7 days after the birth of a child. In this case, the baby has a severe fever, profuse rashes on the mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and even in the intestines. It should also be noted that the herpes virus in newborns can affect the liver, bronchi, adrenal glands and central nervous system. Therefore, before the onset of pregnancy, a woman should definitely undergo an examination and a course of treatment for this disease.
Herpes in children on the lips: treatment
Until the herpetic eruptions appear, the baby should be given lotions using 70% ethyl or camphor alcohol. Also, the alleged focus of inflammation can be affected by temperature (for example, apply hot cotton wool). In some cases, such activities can prevent the further development of a viral rash.
When bubbles appear right in the mouth, doctors recommend using a rinse with a solution of "Rivanol", "Furacilin", "Rotokan" or calendula tincture. At the same time, it is forbidden to use corticosteroid ointments, including Celestoderm, Flucinar, Elkom and others. As you know, such drugs increase the duration of the disease, and also lead to the formation of ulcers in place of the bubbles and contribute to suppuration.
So how to treat herpes on the lip of a child (1 year old)? The use of special antiherpetic agentsallows to reduce the duration of the disease by about half. Typically, these drugs are available in the form of an ointment. You can also buy them in tablets.
Apply antiherpetic ointment to the affected area immediately after the first signs of the sore appear. The earlier the therapy is started, the more effective it is.
How to treat herpes on the lips of a child?
Viral rashes should be affected not only externally, but also by taking oral medications. But if such a sore occurs in a child, then taking such funds is not always advisable, since almost all of them have contraindications for age.
Therefore, it is possible to treat herpes on the lips of a child with drugs such as:
- 1% oxolinic ointment is applied to the affected area up to four times a day.
- Ointment "Viferon" is used up to five times a day.
- Interferon ointment (30%) is applied 3-5 times a day.
- Creams and ointments Acyclovir, Zovirax, Virolex and Cyclovir are special antiherpetic drugs that should be applied to the lesion about five times a day.
- Ointment "Bonafton" (0.5, 0.05 and 0.25%) is applied to the site of the rash in a very thin layer up to four times a day. The most concentrated preparation is used for the skin, and the rest for the mucous membranes.
- Medication "Tebrofen" (5 or 2%) is applied up to three times a day for one week.
- Ointment 5 and 2% "Alpizarin" is applied to the sore twice a day forfor 10-25 days. A concentrated preparation is used for the skin, and 2% for mucous membranes.
It should also be noted that in order to increase the resistance of the child's body, the child is shown taking ascorbic acid and immunomodulating agents.
Features of the disease
Infection with the herpes virus can occur through contact with the patient, as well as through the air (when talking, sneezing, coughing, etc.).
Usually, up to the age of three, children are protected from such a disease, since they get immunity from their mother in utero. But if a woman in labor has a genital form of this disease, then a newborn baby can also become infected with herpes.
Most often, the virus in question enters the human body imperceptibly, without causing any signs. At the same time, he settles in the National Assembly and stays there until the patient's immunity decreases.
If the patient was infected with the virus once, then herpes will remain in his NS, without affecting the general he alth and well-being of the person.
The passive virus is not dangerous either for the infected person or for the people around him. The danger is only active herpes in the form of rashes on the mucous membranes or skin.
Usually a sore on the lips or other parts of the body occurs in the same place. Although in some cases, herpes can still change its location.
Recommendation
So that such unpleasant rashes do not appear, doctors recommendcarefully monitor your he alth and maintain immunity at the proper level.
