How long does it take for children to have stomatitis? Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Stomatitis in young children is a common phenomenon. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to understand the causes of the onset of the disease, and in the future to systematically conduct the necessary prevention to prevent relapses. How long does stomatitis last for children and what are its consequences for the child? It depends on the actions of the parents. Let's look at this in more detail.

Symptoms

If you notice that your child refuses to eat, a lot of naughty, complains of constant pain in the mouth, and when you see an increased body temperature, redness and sores on the mucous membrane of the mouth, you know - it's stomatitis. In infants it is difficult to determine it, because they do not yet know how to talk. While older children can let you know about this disease at the very beginning of its manifestation.

How long does stomatitis in children, depends on its type and methods of treatment. With properly prescribed therapy, this ailment goes away quickly enough and stops causing discomfort to your child.

Stomatitis in young children: danger

To treat the arisen disease is necessary. No matter how long the stomatitis takes in children, it can cause unpleasant consequences. Inflammation, which appeared 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, and nervous system damage can occur. And this can be caused by stomatitis in children. Symptoms and treatment should be determined only by a qualified doctor, as each patient can have the disease individually. Do not overstay the trip to the clinic if you are concerned about the behavior and health of your child.

Fungal (candida) stomatitis in children

Symptoms and treatment of each type of this disease vary. Most often, candidal stomatitis occurs in infants (from birth to 1.5-2 years). Its special features:

• Body temperature, as a rule, does not increase.
• 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 capricious, eats badly, his sleep becomes restless, as he is tormented by pain and dry mouth, and all the blame - stomatitis in children.

How many days the ailment lasts depends on the degree of the disease and the methods of its treatment. Local methods are aimed at creating an alkaline environment in the oral cavity, which helps to 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, this solution is carefully treated by the mother with the baby's mouth. For older children and adolescents, a doctor may prescribe a special antifungal tablet or suspension, which should be taken strictly according to the instructions. Ointment for stomatitis in older children (oxoline, nystatin, "Bonafton", "Acyclovir" and so on) is used to treat cheeks and gums - it is there that accumulates a large number of fungal bacteria.

Herpetic stomatitis

This type of stomatitis is common not only in children, but also in adults. Sooner or later everyone passes through infection with herpes, another question is how the body itself will react to this virus. If immunity is weakened, then herpetic stomatitis may develop. In children, the symptoms and treatment of this ailment almost coincide with those in adults:

• A distinctive feature are small sores in the mouth that cause painful and unpleasant sensations.
• The child becomes capricious, cries a lot, puts his hands in his mouth and refuses to eat and drink;
• If stomatitis in young children has become acute, it manifests itself in all signs of acute respiratory infections: fever, lethargy, lymph nodes, nausea, headaches and even chills.

In case of acute illness the child must be placed in a hospital. How long does stomatitis in children in severe cases, it is difficult to say, but it is important to be constantly under the supervision of doctors. If the form is not very severe, then it is possible to treat at home, but with relentless observation and control of the process. Treat the oral cavity 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 for healing wounds can be applied with a cotton bud, sea buckthorn oil or rosehip oil.

Aphthous stomatitis

The most complex kind, as it is very difficult to identify the cause of its occurrence. It can be either an allergic reaction to one of the consumed foods, or a disturbance in the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

• At the very beginning of a sore, they are similar to lesions of the mucous as in herpetic stomatitis. However, after a period of time they turn into aphthae - white ulcers with regular margins and a strong reddening of the rim.
• The temperature rises, painful sensations increase when talking and eating, the child does not sleep well and refuses to eat.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis depends on the pathogen detected by the doctor. In no case should you engage in self-medication, since you can miss the situation from control and bring additional infection into the child's body.

How to distinguish between herpetic and aphthous stomatitis

• Herpetic stomatitis is characterized by the formation of a large number of vesicles in the mouth, which after a while turn into sores. With aphthous disease, ulcers are of a single character 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, such symptoms are absent.
• Herpetic stomatitis is accompanied by eruptions near the lips. Aphthous does not have such symptoms.

Children's stomatitis: Komarovsky recommends

The famous doctor E.O. Komarovsky has his own view of the ailment we are considering. How does viral stomatitis occur in children, how long does it take and whether to treat it? The famous pediatrician gives detailed answers to all these questions. He classifies the disease as:

1. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. It manifests itself with a frequency of once or twice a year and is characterized by ulcers - ulcers in the oral cavity. Afts can appear on the tongue, the palate, the inner side of the cheeks. They are large enough in size and cause unpleasant pain. Even if you do not treat the disease, it usually goes on its own for two weeks.

2. Herpetic stomatitis is manifested by severe malaise, fever, headaches. This kind is very hard for children. It is characterized by a large number of small bubbles in the mouth.

3. Zaeda appear in the corners of the mouth and most often indicate anemia. Therefore, at their first occurrence, Komarovsky advises to lead a child to a polyclinic and check the hemoglobin level in the blood. At the same time, he emphasizes that it is impossible to raise its level only by ingesting iron-containing products. It is mandatory to use special medicines.

And how much does stomatitis last for children? This, alas, can not predict even the famous doctor. However, he knows for sure that in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to conduct regular preventive maintenance.

What are the features of treatment in children under 3 years old?

Many means are forbidden to use by small children, that is why treatment of stomatitis becomes a bit difficult. The child does not know how to rinse the mouth, so the cavity is to be moistened with the napkins of herbs with napkins or cotton wool. Formed sores can be carefully treated with a cotton swab. Before you begin treatment or prevention of ailment in a young child, be sure to consult your doctor and carefully read the instructions for the prescribed medication.

Prevention

1. It is necessary to wash your hands often with soap and water. Explain to your children how important personal hygiene is. Do not allow them to eat on the street, take dirty toys or sit at the table without washing their hands.
2. A separate place is occupied by hygiene of the oral cavity. Be sure to brush your teeth with a good brush and using the correct paste. Teach your child to clean his tongue and rinse his mouth well.
3. Be sure to wash all vegetables and fruits brought from the store or from the market. Most often, dirty products cause stomatitis in both adults and children.
4. If a family has a patient with stomatitis, be sure to give him a personal towel and a separate utensil with cutlery, otherwise he risks infecting other family members.
5. Take vitamins and immunomodulating drugs. It is good immunity that will prevent the initiation of infection and prevent the virus from penetrating into the body of a young child. For the same purpose, temper your children, take them out for long walks in the open air and, on the whole, maintain a favorable atmosphere in the family.

Stomatitis is a fairly common disease in both adults and children. However, if the basic rules of hygiene are observed, it can be avoided. Be healthy!