A burn of the oral mucosa is an unpleasant, but rather common occurrence. Most often, children get a similar injury. The cause of the burn may be exposure to heat or chemicals. How to behave when a burn of the oral mucosa occurs? The treatment for this injury will be discussed in detail below.
Thermal burn
According to statistics, a thermal burn of the oral mucosa is a frequent occurrence. It occurs in both adults and children under the influence of high or low temperatures. Often the cause of such an injury is contact with boiling water or hot objects. For example, a person may drink very hot tea.
Thermal burns can be both mild and quite serious. The effects of high temperatures can be manifested by redness, swelling, hyperemia. In some cases, ulcers and erosion appear. Moreover, similar consequences arise when in contact with cold objects. In most cases, such an injury occurs to children. In winter, they touch the ice metal with their lips or tongue. This leads to burns.
Serious consequences of thermal damage to the oral mucosa can be superficial tissue necrosis, hemorrhage. Dystrophic changes may also appear. To reduce soreness and prevent the development of negative consequences, a person needs to provide first aid.
Chemical burn
There are various causes of mouth ulcers. And treatment is prescribed in accordance with the type of injury received. In addition to thermal, there are chemical burns. They also have serious consequences. Such injuries may be minor or severe. Various chemicals can act on the oral mucosa. These can be alkalis, acids, other compounds and active substances.
Similar injuries can occur if you accidentally swallow household chemicals. If detergents are left in sight, children can drink them. Adults are not immune from this phenomenon, if the product is stored in inappropriate containers. Especially dangerous are detergents that corrode fats, limescale.
Some medications can also cause burns in the mouth. These can be preparations for treating teeth when the nerve is “burned” with aspirin. Some mouthwashes require dilution with water. If a person has not read the instructions, he may get a burn of the mucous membranes. Alcohol and strong alcohol can cause burns.
Degree of burn
There are four degrees of burns. The severity of the consequences of the injury determines the approach to treatment. At the first degree of damage (for example, a burn of the oral mucosa with tea), redness and slight swelling appear on the tissues. The pain is slight. Such an injury passes on its own after 3-4 days.
In the second degree, small blisters appear on the mucosa. When they burst, the surface becomes ulcerated. The pain is severe, there is plaque and bleeding on the mucous membrane. Treatment is required within 2 weeks.
The third degree of burn is characterized by damage in the deep layers of tissues. Partial necrosis of the mucosa is diagnosed. Scabs, ulcers appear that bleed and hurt. Such an injury heals within 2 months.
With a fourth degree, the affected tissue dies. This process affects the nerve endings. For this reason, the patient may not feel pain. A similar injury is extremely rare.
Symptoms of Thermal Injury
The causes and treatment of mouth ulcers can be different. If a small child is injured, parents should determine what could have caused the burn. This will allow you to choose the right treatment technique. With a thermal burn, severe pain appears, including when swallowing. Tissues swell.
If the lesion is severe, vomiting may open. At the same time, salivation is higher than usual. If a large area of tissue is affected, body temperature may rise. Lymph nodes increase. A person develops weakness and drowsiness. Any food that irritates the tissues causes acute pain. It can be spicy, salty foods, as well as hot foods. Spitting it out makes it easier.
Most often, thermal burns are less dangerous than chemical burns. Therefore, treatment in most cases boils down to home exposure. If the lesion is extensive, you need to go to the hospital.
Symptoms of Chemical Injury
A chemical burn of the oral mucosa is often much more dangerous than thermal injury. In this case, a number of characteristic symptoms appear. The soreness from a chemical burn is severe. It appears immediately after the substance enters the mucosa.
If a person could swallow a chemical, choking may occur. Vomiting opens. This symptom is most characteristic of a chemical burn. Each substance has a specific effect on the tissue. Until the reagent is neutralized, it has a destructive effect on the tissue. Therefore, action must be taken quickly.
Even a slight mucosal damage with a chemical substance is accompanied by severe pain, external changes in the structure of tissues. There may be ulcers, necrosis. The person’s breathing is difficult, vomiting appears.
First aid
To determine how to smear affected tissue at home from a burn, the severity of the injury should be considered. The mouth must be rinsed with cold water several times. Damaged tissues must be treated with hydrogen peroxide (3%). Miramistin or Chlorhexidine can also be used for these purposes.
Apply an ice pack. If the soreness is severe, you can treat the damaged areas with ointment based on ice cream. Also suitable tool type "Rescuer." Next, you need to see a doctor. You may need to use antibiotics, antiseptics, and special anti-inflammatory drugs. They are prescribed by a traumatologist.
First aid for a chemical burn
How to smear an oral cavity at home from a burn in case of exposure to a chemical reagent? It is important to know what caused the injury. If it was an alkali, you need to use malic, citric acetic acid. If acid had an effect on the tissues, you need to prepare a solution of soda with water. This means rinse your mouth.
In some cases, phenol causes such burns. To eliminate the effect of this reagent, you need to rinse your mouth with a solution of ethyl alcohol and water.
If the type of substance that has got on the mucous membrane cannot be determined, the mouth cavity is rinsed with cold clean water. Then they act in exactly the same way as with a thermal burn. You need to see a doctor. In severe injuries, a person needs hospitalization. Treatment may be lengthy.
First degree burn treatment
Treatment of a burn of the oral mucosa of the first degree can be carried out at home. It is not necessary to consult a doctor in this case. Only if the damaged area does not heal for more than 5 days, the appearance of the tissues has deteriorated, you need to contact a traumatologist.
The burned area of the mucosa can be lubricated at home with sea buckthorn oil or propolis to prevent inflammation. Aloe leaf can be applied to the damaged area, cut lengthwise into 2 parts.
It is also recommended to rinse your mouth with decoctions of herbs. For these purposes, chamomile, calendula, and oak bark are used. You need to take 2 tablespoons of a dry plant. They are poured into a dry container. The product is poured with boiling water (200 ml). The composition should be infused for 30 minutes. When it cools, you need to strain the liquid and rinse your mouth for 10 minutes several times a day, especially after a meal.
It is recommended to eat liquid high-calorie foods. It should not be hot or too cold.
Treatment of burns 2-4 degrees
Treatment of a burn of the oral mucosa of the second and all subsequent degrees requires serious action. In this case, be sure to consult a doctor. If a person has received a second degree burn of the oral mucosa, special actions are required. It is necessary to treat wound surfaces to avoid infection.
Before eating, it is necessary to apply painkillers to the mucous membranes. It is necessary to mix anestezin (5%) oil-based and lidocaine (0.5%). Propolis ointments can also be applied.
In subsequent stages of burns, treatment is carried out in a hospital. Often surgery is required. After receiving such an injury, you need to call a team of doctors, provide first aid to the victim.
Having considered the varieties and treatment of burns of the oral mucosa, you can take appropriate action in the event of a similar injury.