Lesions of the oral mucosa, including herpes on the gum, are the second most common diseases after influenza and SARS. Symptoms of these pathologies are very similar. Rashes in the mouth violate a person's quality of life, causing pain and discomfort. If they are found, you should consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis and get a qualified appointment.
Herpes on the gum
The herpes simplex virus of the first type can manifest itself in different age groups. However, for the first time, it enters the body when the patient is in childhood. With a decrease in immunity, the virus activates, as a result of which mucous membranes or skin can be affected.
It is believed that cold sores on the gums or other parts of the body are harmless. However, this pathology is very unpleasant for both adults and children.
Signs of the disease
In all people, herpes on the gum has similar symptoms:
- one or more itchy vesicles appear on the mucous membrane;
- in the area of future rashes, there is tingling and swelling;
- appetite disappears, pain occurs when eating;
- after rupture of the vesicle, a painful ulcer with white or yellowish uneven edges forms in its place.
In children, relapse or primary infection is often accompanied by fever, general malaise, and headaches.
Reasons and provocateurs
The most important factor contributing to the development of the disease is reduced immunity. Herpes often joins during a cold. The following reasons can provoke a relapse:
- stress or serious emotional distress;
- lowering the protective functions of the body;
- heatstroke;
- trauma to the gums and mucous membranes of the mouth;
- menstruation or pregnancy in women, as well as the postpartum period.
It also happens that due to dental treatment and after the installation of the seal, herpes appeared on the gum. This can happen due to the effects of drugs (analgesics, antiseptics), due to injury to the mucous membrane with a drill or tools, with irritation of the gums with poorly established material.
Frequent misconception
Often , parents confuse herpes gums in a child with stomatitis. Indeed, the symptoms of these diseases are very similar. Pathologies can even merge into a single form: gingivostomatitis. Despite this, herpes and stomatitis still have differences that attentive parents can notice on their own.
- The herpes virus affects tissues adjacent to the bones, and stomatitis appears on the mucous membrane of the tongue, cheeks and throat.
- With herpes, the disease begins with the appearance of vesicles, and stomatitis manifests itself as loose ulcers immediately.
- The herpes virus often appears in a specific place, and stomatitis can have different localization.
If you have encountered herpes at least once in your life, then it will not be difficult to distinguish it from stomatitis.
Symptomatic treatment
If herpes appears on the gums, treatment should be started immediately. The faster the measures are taken, the less time the therapy will take, and it will also be less costly. The first drugs in symptomatic treatment are antipyretics. They help relieve pain, and also reduce the temperature when it rises. Kids should be given special children's medicines: Nurofen, Panadol, Ibuklin Junior. Adult patients can choose the tool that is more familiar to them. Popular drugs are made on the basis of ibuprofen, paracetamol, ketorolac, baralgin, metamizole sodium and other substances.
To anesthetize cold sores before meals, you can apply dental gels to the affected area: Holisal, Kamistad, Kalgel and others. Many of them are also antiseptics. An adult is allowed to hold a lidocaine solution in his mouth, but only if he is not allergic to it.
To completely cure herpes, you need to abandon fresh fruits, vegetables, juices and any food that contains irritating acids. Rough foods should also be ruled out. Drink more pure water, eat soft foods that contain a large amount of protein and nutrients.
Specific preparations
If herpes on the gum just appeared, then you need to use antiviral agents. The sooner you start taking them, the greater the likelihood of a positive result. Effective drugs against the herpes virus of the first type are: “Zovirax”, “Acyclovir”, “Denavir”, “Valacyclovir”. Carefully read the instructions before use, and it is better to consult a doctor. Some antiviral drugs are contraindicated in children under a certain age, while others are not prescribed for people with HIV. Often, medications to combat the herpes virus are combined with classic interferon inducers that increase immunity: Cycloferon, Kipferon, Isoprinosine, and so on.
Doctors say that the use of specific drugs is necessary to reduce the duration of the disease, accelerate recovery, and they are also taken to relieve symptoms. If you do not use these medications, then the body will cope with the infection on its own, and recovery will occur in 7-14 days. If a bacterial complication occurs, which is often caused by improper oral hygiene, the duration of the disease will increase, and the patient will need more serious medications.
Folk remedies
Often patients try to resort to proven folk remedies for the treatment of herpes on the gums. The methods include rinsing the mouth and treating the damaged surface. It should be cautioned that such manipulations can cause allergies. Carrying out such experiments on children is not recommended. But an adult can very well afford one of the effective ways.
- Rinse with decoctions of herbs that give anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial effects. Suitable for this are dried shoots of chamomile, sage, string, celandine, wormwood and lemon balm. Pour boiling water over the grass, cool, strain and rinse your mouth after each meal.
- Peach seed oil, ginger, tea tree, sea buckthorn and orange oil will help cure herpes on the gum faster. Apply the natural remedy on the affected area pointwise.
- Cranberries not only help cope with herpes, but also increase the body's overall resistance. It is important to use it correctly. Pour boiling water over the berries, let it brew. The broth can be drunk or used to rinse.
- By rubbing herpetic rashes on the gums with half raisins, you will significantly reduce the duration of the disease. Keep your dried fruit clean and soft.
After illness
You already know how to treat herpes on the gums. It is important to take precautions after recovery:
- follow oral hygiene and wash your hands more often;
- exclude mucosal injuries;
- fully eat and adhere to the right lifestyle;
- give up bad habits;
- Do not contact infected people.
Once acquired, the virus permanently settles in the human body. It is stored in the nerve cells of the brain while in hibernation. Getting rid of the pathogen is forever impossible. But each patient can prevent the awakening of the virus. Some people who have had cold sores on their gums will never face this problem again.