Inflammation of the oral mucosa is a common dental disease among adult patients. The appearance of bubbles with liquid on the lips, under the tongue and on the inside of the cheeks is associated with infection of the body with the herpes virus. In the acute stage, the patient feels discomfort when talking and eating.
According to statistics, 80% of all diseases of the oral mucosa in adults are herpetic stomatitis.
Causes
The herpes virus is insidious. Getting into the human body at a young age, it does not manifest itself for many years. Most often it provokes infection and the formation of unpleasant ulcers - weakened immunity (hypothermia, SARS).
The course of the disease is conditionally divided into periods:
- Incubation - lasts from 2 days to 3 weeks;
- Catarrhal (the appearance of the first symptoms) - from several hours to a day;
- The development of herpes - lasts from 2 to 4 days;
- Fading - from 3 to 4 days;
- Healing - from 3 to 9.
The peak of virus development occurs in the first 24 hours.
Herpetic stomatitis is transmitted by airborne and household means, so you should be careful, refuse any contact with the patient.
Factors affecting the appearance of herpes:
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Injuries of the oral mucosa (solid food, sharp edges near the teeth, braces);
- Poor quality dental prosthetics;
- Diseases associated with dry mouth and general dehydration;
- Improper or irregular hygiene;
- course of chemotherapy;
- Avitaminosis;
- Wrong nutrition.
In adult patients, the disease progresses worse than in children . This is due to changes occurring in the oral cavity - caries, plaque and tartar , loosening of teeth and enlarged gum canals, eating excessively spicy or salty foods, smoking and alcohol.
People with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus and HIV-infected people are at risk.
Herpetic stomatitis has three forms:
- Light;
- middle;
- Heavy.
If the disease is not cured at the initial stage, it flows into a chronic form. The rest of the life of such a patient is associated with constantly returning symptoms.
The severity of the disease, the nature of its course and the method of treatment can only be determined by a specialist.
Symptoms and stages of development
The appearance of liquid-filled sores on the lips is a characteristic feature of herpetic stomatitis. Other symptoms appear depending on the form of the disease.
The mild form is characterized by the absence of intoxication of the body. Body temperature suddenly rises to 38 degrees. The mucous membranes of the mouth swell, there is swelling in the gums. Within 2-3 days, small sores form. They are located dotted or grouped in several pieces. The total number of aphthas is up to 5.
The middle form is characterized by general weakness and drowsiness that occurs against the background of intoxication. Lymph nodes increase in size, the patient feels discomfort in this area. Against the general background of symptoms, angina may occur.
After 1-2 days the temperature rises to 39 degrees. Dizziness, headache and nausea begin. On the surface of the lips, the inner part of the cheeks, the first rashes filled with liquid appear. A whitish coating forms on the mucous membranes, the gums bleed. The sores itch, itching occurs, discomfort is felt upon contact. With their appearance, the body temperature decreases. After 1-3 days, the ulcers burst, and erosion (aphthae) remains in their place. Eating is hampered by pain when swallowing, salivation is increased.
The duration of the average form of viral stomatitis depends on the drugs taken and the overall resistance of the body. The total number of ulcers reaches 20-25 pieces.
Sharp form. The percentage of people with acute herpetic stomatitis is very small. The general condition of the patient worsens within 2-3 days. The temperature rises to 40 degrees, the outer surface of the lips becomes dry, covered with microcracks. The oral mucosa becomes inflamed and swollen.
After 1-2 days, the first sores appear, which form not only on the lips, but also on the earlobes, wings of the nose, and in the corners of the eyes. Increased salivation is accompanied by bad breath. The total number of ulcers can reach 100 pieces.
The period of the disease from the appearance of the first symptoms to the formation of erosion and healing is 12-14 days. Sleep and appetite are restored, the skin and mucous membranes are cleansed. The acute form requires consultation and immediate treatment by a specialist.
At the stage of the appearance of vesicles with liquid, the patient is most contagious. It is necessary for the duration of treatment to minimize household contacts.
Herpetic stomatitis in chronic form
According to statistics, 80% of people on the planet are carriers of the herpes virus. A healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition support the protective functions in the body normally. The chronic form appears in patients with untreated herpetic stomatitis.
With the change of seasons in the autumn-spring period, an exacerbation is observed. Other factors can also provoke herpes in the oral cavity - hypothermia, tonsillitis or sinusitis, mechanical damage to the mucosa.
A mild degree of the chronic form is characterized by the formation of a small number of ulcers 1-2 times a year on the inside of the cheeks, on the gums and palate.
The severe form is characterized by an abundance of rashes. Mucous swells during such a period, saliva is abundantly secreted, accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Ulcers due to the large number merge into painful erosions. The number of relapses increases to 5-6 times a year.
Unlike the acute form, the chronic form is not characterized by the manifestation of secondary symptoms - fever, swollen lymph nodes, bleeding gums. There is only general malaise.
Diagnostics
Symptoms of herpetic stomatitis are similar to other diseases, so only a dentist can accurately diagnose.
At the initial stage, the doctor asks the patient about past diseases and examines the medical record. With the help of medical devices, the doctor conducts a visual examination to assess the nature of the formation of ulcers and inflammation.
To clarify the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed to take a scraping from the surface of the vial with liquid to the laboratory. In the acute form of herpetic stomatitis, the skin is checked for the presence of the virus with special reagents.
The symptoms of herpes have similar symptoms with other diseases, in order not to make a mistake in the choice of treatment, additional tests are carried out.
If herpes returns periodically, the dentist gives a referral for examination by other specialists - an immunologist, an endocrinologist, a general practitioner and an ENT doctor. A comprehensive examination allows you to establish the exact cause of the recurring viral stomatitis and conduct high-quality treatment.
Treatment
Treatment of herpetic stomatitis is carried out in a complex. The methods used and the choice of drugs depends on several factors:
- The state of the patient's immunity;
- Type of medicines used by the patient independently;
- The time interval from the onset of the disease to the visit to a specialist.
Regardless of the severity of the disease, the treatment method is built in 2 directions at once. Local and general therapy are used for complete recovery.
In the first days of the development of herpes in the oral cavity, antiviral drugs are prescribed, which stop the inflammatory process in the body.
Commonly used ointments and gels:
- Zovirax or its analogue Acyclovir;
- Metrogil Denta;
- Tebrofenovaya (1-2%) and adimalic (0.5%).
The ointment is applied to a cotton swab and applied to the affected area. Funds can be applied not only locally, but also to neighboring areas to provide a preventive effect.
Before their use, the oral cavity is irrigated with antiseptic solutions:
- Hydrogen peroxide (1.5%) - cleanses the tongue, palate and cheeks from whitish plaque;
- Miramistin or Chlorhexedine;
- Furacilin (0.1%).
With home therapy, you should not use means for cauterization and irritation of the mucous membrane.
The use of drugs of various effects against the background of a weakened immune system in some cases causes an allergic reaction. Possible signs of allergy are removed by antihistamines - Tavegil, Diazolin, Zodak, Suprastin.
At the healing stage of aphthae, restorative agents are used to remove necrotic tissues - Solcoseryl, Karatolin, oil based on vitamin A.
Moderate and severe degree of herpetic stomatitis is accompanied by discomfort and pain when eating and drinking. To alleviate the general condition of the patient, painkillers are prescribed - Vinilin, Geksoral spray, Lidocaine Asept.
General therapy is characterized by the use of suppositories (Viferon), which reduce the effect of the herpes virus on the body. Antipyretic drugs - Nurofen, Ibuprofen - help to reduce elevated body temperature.
Throughout the treatment, it is necessary to take vitamins P and C to improve the protective functions of the body and immunity.
Therapy of chronic herpetic stomatitis does not differ from the acute form. A course of antiviral drugs and antibiotics is prescribed. The use of Lysine is practiced as immunomodulators.
At the time of treatment, the patient must be protected from household contacts with other family members. For him, dishes, bedding and personal hygiene products are allocated separately.
ethnoscience
Traditional medicine recipes are effective only in the initial stages of a mild form of herpetic stomatitis.
As anti-inflammatory drugs, it is possible to use infusions from medicinal herbs - sage, chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort, yarrow.
For cooking, you need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry ingredient and a container of hot water (250 ml). Herbs are steamed for 3-5 minutes and filtered. Ready solution mouth cavity is irrigated 2-3 times during the day before meals.
As part of the alcohol tincture of propolis there are components that relieve not only inflammation, but also pain.
As soon as swelling and redness begin on the gums and palate, it is recommended to wipe these areas with lemon juice or tablets (2-3 pieces) of ascorbic acid mixed into a pulp with water.
At the stage of wound healing, oils are used - sea buckthorn and linseed.
Nutrition
Treatment with medications is accompanied by a special diet. The selection of foods, dishes and drinks takes into account the needs of a weakened body in trace elements and vitamins. The diet necessarily includes fresh vegetables, fruits and berries.
Until the oral cavity returns to normal, it is worth abandoning products with a hard shell and sharp edges.
For a while, it is necessary to exclude sour, salty, sweet, spicy foods and dishes so that they do not irritate the inflamed mucous membrane. These include: citrus fruits, sauces, fried meat and fast food. It is allowed to drink unsweetened compotes and plain water.
For breakfast and lunch, you can cook a simple porridge with milk, a piece of chicken or steamed fish, lean vegetable stew. As a dessert, light curd, yogurt or pudding is allowed.
Disease prevention
Preventive measures to prevent herpetic stomatitis in adults are simple to implement. A healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits help maintain immunity and the general condition of the body in good shape.
When changing seasons, it is worth not to allow hypothermia, 2 times a year it is necessary to take vitamin-mineral complexes in courses. Include as many healthy and nutritious foods as possible in your daily diet.
If the disease has already developed into a chronic stage, do not despair, modern medicine is able to contain the symptoms of herpetic stomatitis.
