Why does a child have cold sores on her lip? What to do with such a disease? We will answer these and other questions in the presented article.
general information
Herpes is the most common chronic viral infection . There are 2 types of this virus:
- The first type appears on the lips or in the mouth. It usually causes children to have fever, stomatitis, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- The second type appears on the genitals. He is given special attention, especially in pregnant women. This is due to the fact that during labor, the baby can become infected with the virus, which will require immediate treatment.
Causes of occurrence
What causes herpes on the lips of a child (a photo of this trouble is presented in this article)? Such a virus is usually transmitted from person to person through saliva.
Herpes in children on the lips is not a very common occurrence. It should also be noted that such rashes may appear on other parts of the body. Therefore, at the first suspicion of this disease, you should immediately contact a pediatrician.
According to experts, herpes virus is present in 95% of people. But in a healthy and strong body, he is in a "hibernation" mode. With psychological stress, hypothermia, bright sunlight, excessive heat or cold, as well as with elevated body temperature, the virus "wakes up."
When herpes occurs in children on the lips, the child may feel a slight burning sensation and mild tingling sensation. The main thing is to warn the baby so that he does not pick the resulting blister. Otherwise, this will lead to the development of inflammation.
Most often, herpes in children on the lips occurs after visiting a school or kindergarten. Moreover, an already ill child can easily infect their classmates.
At school, the child experiences significant stress. This reduces his immunity, and he becomes a good target for a huge number of microbes and bacteria.
Symptoms
About how herpes looks in children on the lips, many know. For those who have not encountered this trouble, it should be said that to distinguish it is not difficult.
Before bubble rashes appear on the skin, a person experiences special discomfort. He feels an unpleasant itching, tingling and burning sensation. Such symptoms are observed exactly in the place where the blister is about to jump.
After some time, the skin area near the lip blushes noticeably. After that, small bubbles appear on it. In the first few days they are filled with a clear liquid, but later on the viral water becomes cloudy.
Herpes on the lips of a child of 5 years and a different age can last up to 7-10 days. Although in some cases, such a nuisance passes after a few hours.
After the viral contents of the vesicles become cloudy, they begin to burst. Experts say that this is the most dangerous moment in the disease. It is this liquid that can infect surrounding people. Therefore, in the process of bursting of bubbles, an antiviral ointment should be applied to them.
Herpes on the lips of a child of 3 years and a different age usually passes very quickly. After the release of the viral fluid, a hard crust forms in this place. Over time, it disappears. However, for some period a brownish or pinkish spot still remains in its place.
How does it affect the kid?
Herpes on the lips of a child (2 years) often causes general malaise. Sometimes a child may suffer from fever. Stool disorder also occurs, nearby lymph nodes increase.
It should be noted that very often small children begin to comb the resulting sore. As a result, the virus can infect other mucous membranes, including the eyes. Therefore, if such a nuisance occurs in a child, it is imperative to follow him.
Herpes in newborns
The course of such a disease in newborns is very difficult. Moreover, there are many cases when herpes caused a fatal outcome.
As you know, infection of a newborn baby occurs in two ways:
- during pregnancy through the umbilical cord;
- in the process of labor, if the mother has rashes on the genitals.
Such a disease usually develops 5-7 days after the birth of the baby. In this case, the baby develops a strong fever, abundant rashes on the mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and even in the intestines. It should also be noted that the herpes virus in newborns can affect the liver, bronchi, adrenal glands and central nervous system. Therefore, before pregnancy, a woman should definitely undergo an examination and a course of treatment for this disease.
Herpes in children on the lips: treatment
Until herpetic rashes appear, the baby should do lotions with 70% ethyl or camphor alcohol. Also, the alleged focus of inflammation can be affected by temperature (for example, apply hot cotton wool). In some cases, such measures can prevent the further development of a viral rash.
When bubbles appear directly in the oral cavity, doctors recommend rinsing with a solution of "Rivanol", "Furacilin", "Rotokan" or tincture of calendula. In this case, it is forbidden to use corticosteroid ointments, including Celestoderm, Flucinar, Elkom and others. As you know, such drugs increase the duration of the disease, and also lead to the formation of sores in the place of the vesicles and contribute to suppuration.
So how to treat herpes on the lip of a child (1 year)? The use of special antiherpetic drugs can approximately halve the duration of the disease. Typically, such drugs are available in the form of an ointment. You can also purchase them in tablets.
Apply antiherpetic ointment to the affected area immediately after the first signs of a sore appear. The sooner therapy has been started, the more effective it is.
How to treat herpes on the lips of a child?
Influencing viral rashes should be not only externally, but also by taking oral medications. But if such a sore occurred in a child, then taking such drugs is not always advisable, since almost all of them have contraindications for age.
Therefore, it is possible to treat herpes on the lips of a child with such drugs as:
- 1% oxolinic ointment is applied to the affected area up to four times a day.
- Ointment "Viferon" is used up to five times a day.
- Interferon ointment (30%) is used 3-5 times a day.
- Creams and ointments "Acyclovir", "Zovirax", "Virolex and" Cyclovir "are special antiherpetic agents that should be applied to the lesion about five times a day.
- Bonafton ointment (0.5, 0.05 and 0.25%) is applied to the rash site with a very thin layer up to four times a day. The most concentrated drug is used for the skin, and the rest for the mucous membranes.
- The medicine "Tebrofen" (5 or 2%) is used up to three times a day for one week.
- Ointment 5 and 2% Alpizarin is applied to the sore twice a day for 10-25 days. A concentrated preparation is used for the skin, and 2% for the mucous membranes.
It should also be noted that to increase the resistance of the child's body, the child is shown taking ascorbic acid and immunomodulating agents.
Features of the disease
Infection with the herpes virus can occur through contact with the patient, as well as through the air (when talking, sneezing, coughing, etc.).
Usually, up to three years, children are protected from such a disease, since they still receive immunity from the mother in utero. But if a woman in childbirth has a genital form of this disease, then a newborn baby can become infected with herpes.
Most often, the virus in question penetrates the human body unnoticed, without causing any signs. At the same time, he settles in the National Assembly and stays in it until the patient's immunity decreases.
If the patient was once infected with the virus, then herpes will remain in his / hers without any effect on the general health and well-being of the person.
Passive virus is not dangerous for the infected person or for people around him. The danger is only active herpes in the form of rashes on the mucous membranes or skin.
Usually a sore on the lips or other parts of the body occurs in the same place. Although in some cases, herpes can still change its location.
Recommendation
To prevent such unpleasant rashes, doctors recommend carefully monitoring their health and maintaining immunity at the proper level.