The mucous membranes in the oral cavity are prone to the development of dermatological diseases of a primary nature. Similar pathologies appear in different ways, however, they all have a number of characteristic features. Dentistry is engaged in the study of these manifestations, and in some cases, specialists are able to diagnose the disease before symptoms occur on the mucosa.
One of the common pathological manifestations encountered in dental practice is blisters in the mouth in the sky, on the cheeks, and even on the lips. Such a symptom is a warning signal and requires examination to identify the causes of such a manifestation. Blisters may appear in patients of all ages. Possessing an identical clinical picture, they indicate different viruses and infections.
Signs
A characteristic feature of blisters in the mouth is the short term of their existence. As a rule, they quickly open after the appearance, and erosion is formed in their place. In this case, the mucous membrane left without the upper protective layer can be exposed to various pathogenic microorganisms that are constantly present in the oral cavity. Thus, the first symptoms of dental diseases, for example stomatitis, arise, and an exacerbation of the pain of erosion also occurs. A person in this state cannot sleep and eat normally.
What it is?
A blister in the mouth is called a cavity element, which reaches 5 mm in diameter. It arises as a result of the accumulation of any fluid at the site of damage. The most common disease, which is characterized by the formation of blisters on the mucous membranes or uninflamed skin, is called pemphigus. Without timely treatment, this pathology tends to affect large areas of the skin and mucous membranes, over time it can degenerate into a malignant neoplasm.
Pemphigus denotes a number of diseases of the mucous membranes, which are accompanied by the formation of rashes of a vesiculate nature, but with various clinical indicators, such as the presence of acantholytic cells in the smears.
At the initial stage, the disease is most often localized in the oral cavity, which leads to erroneous diagnoses and the appointment of incorrect treatment.
Varieties
Pemphigus is divided into the following varieties:
- True, or acantholytic.
- Vulgar.
- Vegetative.
- Leaf-shaped.
- Seborrheic, also called erythematous.
- Senir-Asher Syndrome.
- False, or non-acantholytic.
- Strophic, mucous-syneachial, bullous dermatitis.
- Lever's pemphigoid of a bullous type.
- Benign non-acantholytic.
Risk factors
Damage to the oral mucosa by a viral infection is an unpleasant and painful phenomenon. A factor provoking the appearance of blisters in the mouth in the sky is a disease called "stomatitis of a viral nature."
This is a common type of infectious lesion that occurs as a result of several pathologies at once, among them:
- Chicken pox.
- Herpes simplex virus.
- Flu.
- Parainfluenza
- Adenovirus and other factors
An allergic reaction, an infectious disease and trauma can also provoke the appearance of blisters in the mouth on the cheek. Risk factors can also be considered vitamin deficiency, disorders of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. In addition, hematological diseases and intoxication of the body can lead to this unpleasant phenomenon, especially when poisoning with heavy metals.
Causes
In some cases, blisters in the mouth indicate the presence of serious diseases that occur in latent form. Most often we are talking about the following pathologies:
1. Herpangina. It affects the oral cavity and nasopharynx rather intensively. It is characterized by an increase in body temperature, soreness during swallowing, impaired appetite. In some cases, diarrhea appears. At the initial stage, the blisters look like red spots, but later they transform into bubbles with a transparent liquid inside. A possible complication of herpangina may be a pathological lesion of the meninges, as well as the liver and heart. However, the cause of the blisters in the mouth should be determined by the doctor.
2. Herpes. The vast majority of the inhabitants of our planet are carriers of the herpes virus. At the time of relapse, the symptoms of the disease have characteristic features. The affected area begins to itch, burning and redness occurs. A day after this, transparent blisters form with a yellowish tint by the liquid inside.
3. Afta. As a rule, the appearance of aphthous ulcers is a consequence of complications after diseases of the oral cavity. However, as an independent disease, aphthae are often found. Pathology is characterized by severe pain, especially during chewing food and swallowing, high body temperature, as well as an increase in lymph nodes.
4. Tinea versicolor. The nerve fibers are affected. The disease is localized at the site of infection and is accompanied by a deterioration in general condition, fever, etc. Some time later, edema forms on the affected areas of the skin, which later transform into transparent vesicles. Further, the fluid in the blisters becomes cloudy.
5. Mechanical damage. The most common cause of blistering in the mouth is improperly fitted dentures. In addition, it may be an allergic reaction to drugs or an oral burn with a hot meal or drink.
What does a blood blister in the mouth mean? Such a bubble may appear during eating or talking with an accidental bite. Also, the mucosa can be injured:
- from hard foods: candy, crackers, bones;
- from broken, chipped teeth or improperly made dental structures: braces, bridges, crowns, prostheses;
- during hygiene procedures, due to careless movements of the tissue are affected during brushing.
The clinical course of the disease
All of the above factors and diseases are accompanied by the manifestation of a number of characteristic signs. If a blister in the mouth jumps up, then this will be considered a symptom common to all pathologies. Small bubbles can be localized on the tongue, cheeks, and gums. Inside the blisters is a serous exudate.
General symptoms
The usual symptoms of the disease may be absent. The acute stage of the pathology may be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- General malaise.
- Weakness.
- A slight increase in body temperature.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Swelling and redness of the mouth.
- Single or multiple bubbles.
- Erosion at the site of opened blisters.
- Impaired appetite.
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing food.
- Aching pain, itching and burning.
- Bad breath.
Diagnostics
Before starting treatment of the oral cavity, it is necessary to conduct an examination and clarify the diagnosis, identifying the root cause of the appearance of blisters. To do this, you can visit both the dentist and the dermatologist. Consultation of a general practitioner-therapist will also not be superfluous.
Diagnostic measures involve the collection of a patient's medical history, as well as a physical examination and laboratory tests. To clarify the diagnosis, a smear of the contents of one of the bubbles is taken. Next, a study is conducted and the causative agent of the disease is identified. This is the most effective diagnostic method in this case.
Experienced specialists can determine the diagnosis by clinical indicators, without the use of additional methods. However, a laboratory study will confirm the diagnosis and allow you to prescribe the correct treatment.
What to do when blisters appear in your mouth?
Home treatment
Full treatment at home is not possible. It is imperative to get expert advice and follow the recommendations prescribed by him. However, if it is not possible to immediately go to the doctor, you can use several methods for self-alleviation. For example, you can start rinsing your mouth with a soda solution or herbal decoction. Rosehips and chamomile, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, are best suited for these purposes. It is also good to use propolis tincture.
You can combine traditional methods of treatment with traditional medicine. However, it is also advisable to discuss this option with your doctor. Especially when it comes to blisters in the child’s mouth.
There are quite a few recipes that contribute to solving various problems. Most often, it is recommended to use herbal preparations, which will help relieve inflammation and swelling or have an antiviral effect.
Aloe or Kalanchoe
These indoor plants can also become helpers in the fight against blisters in the mouth on the mucous membrane. Use plants in the form of lotions. To do this, a sheet or a small part of it is cut off, cleaned of the skin and applied to the affected area. After a few minutes, the slice is updated to make fresh juice stand out.
Conservative treatment
The main goal of treating blisters in the mouth is to completely eliminate the factor that led to their formation. Therefore, along with symptomatic treatment, therapy of the underlying disease is carried out. The duration of treatment can reach from two weeks to one month. The treatment regimen depends on the diagnosis:
- Aphthae is treated with topical preparations (antiviral, antiseptic and wound healing).
- Infectious damage will require complex treatment, including antibiotics. Rinsing with special solutions is also allowed.
- Antifungal drugs will be needed to treat candidiasis. You can use sprays, ointments and solutions for application to erosion.
- Herpes in recurrent form involves taking antiviral drugs orally. It is important to start treatment at the very beginning of the disease, namely in the first day after the detection of symptoms. Sometimes with herpes, anesthetics are prescribed that protect the mucous membranes of the mouth.
- Pemphigus is an autoimmune type of disease. Her treatment involves taking corticosteroid drugs. Various immunomodulatory drugs and vitamin complexes are also prescribed.
Complications
Blisters in the mouth alone cannot cause complications. However, the lack of treatment can lead to suppuration and more extensive lesions of the mucosa. All this will cause unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations, affecting the quality of human life. Consequences can arise if the root cause of the blisters is not cured.
Prevention of this pathology
Preventive measures directly depend on the causes that caused the appearance of blisters. However, there are a number of preventive rules common to any disease:
- Compliance with personal oral hygiene.
- Timely treatment of any pathologies localized in the mouth.
- Washing hands with soap before eating.
- Choosing the right toothbrush that will not injure your gums.
- Supplementing your daily diet with fresh berries, fruits and vegetables.
Thus, the most important point in the treatment of blisters in the mouth is the timely determination of the cause that caused this symptom.