Stomatitis implies a painful inflammation of the oral mucosa, which subsequently manifests itself in various kinds of rashes. It can be sores, aphthae, erosion, or pustules. If the disease is not accompanied by such symptoms, it is most often about its catarrhal form. How is it different from others? Do I need to treat her? We will try to understand these questions in today's article.
Disease Description
The human oral cavity is the place of primary neutralization and initial processing of food. The role of the protective barrier is played by the salivary glands. The secret they secrete prevents infection of the mucosa. Pathogenic bacteria constantly enter the oral cavity along with food, air or water. Against the background of a decrease in the protective properties of saliva, infection occurs. This is how catarrhal stomatitis develops.
This disease is characterized by severe inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth with the release of serous exudate. Foci of lesion can be localized both over the entire area of the cavity, and in its individual areas: gums, tongue, palate. The pathological process, as a rule, lasts no more than 10 days. Properly selected therapy leads to a quick recovery. The lack of treatment often ends with the transformation of the disease into a chronic form.
Causes of stomatitis in adults and children
A fundamental factor in the development of the disease is poor oral hygiene. As a result, favorable conditions for the vital activity of the pathogenic flora are formed on its mucous membranes. Bacteria provoke the development of various diseases, one of which is catarrhal stomatitis.
Its occurrence may be due to other reasons. They can be divided into 4 conditional groups:
- Infectious. Adenovirus or influenza act as the main sources of infection. Also, the development of stomatitis is affected by more serious diseases. Among them, measles, chickenpox, pneumonia should be noted.
- Traumatic. This group includes damage to the oral cavity of a mechanical, thermal, or chemical nature.
- Specific. Pathologies such as syphilis and tuberculosis can precede the development of stomatitis.
- Symptomatic This form of the disease is often a complication of chronic ailments in which the endocrine, gastrointestinal or circulatory systems suffer.
In infants, catarrhal stomatitis is most often diagnosed with teething.
The first manifestations of the disease
The main symptom of the disease is severe swelling of the oral mucosa. In this case, imprints of the dentition in the cheek area may be observed. Sometimes patients complain of bleeding gums, the appearance of halitosis. The foci of inflammation over time become covered with a white or grayish coating. At the initial stage of the pathological process, pain during a conversation or chewing food is possible. With a complicated course, such discomfort accompanies the patient constantly.
What other symptoms of catarrhal stomatitis? In young children, the disease is manifested by a deterioration in appetite, moodiness. Body temperature remains at subfebrile marks. If the disease is acute, all of its symptoms develop quickly and have a pronounced form. In the chronic version, symptoms appear slowly.
Diagnostic Methods
You can not ignore the symptoms of the disease. If you suspect catarrhal stomatitis, you should immediately consult a doctor. An experienced doctor will not be difficult to diagnose the inflammatory process. To do this, it is enough to conduct a physical examination. To determine the cause of swelling, you will need to take a smear from the oral mucosa. If, after studying the material in the laboratory, the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor prescribes therapy.
It is worth noting that self-treatment or ignoring the symptoms of pathology is extremely undesirable. If the necessary steps are not taken at the initial stage, the disease can go to the next stage with a complicated course. Possible negative effects of catarrhal stomatitis are discussed below.
What is the danger of the disease?
In most cases, catarrhal stomatitis has a favorable prognosis . Timely treatment ensures complete recovery within 10 days. Unfortunately, not all people approach the issue of therapy thoroughly. Neglect of one's own health sometimes ends with the transition of the disease to the chronic stage. In this case, a longer treatment is required.
Also, in these patients, secondary bacterial infection is often associated with the pathology. The presence of a focus of inflammation in the body can lead to diseases of the gums and teeth (periodontitis, caries, gingivitis). In advanced cases, pathogenic microbes penetrate into the deep layers of soft tissues. The result is a change in bone structure.
Principles for treating small patients
In children, catarrhal stomatitis responds very well to therapy. Photos of the first signs of the pathological process can be found in specialized directories. Therefore, even self-diagnosis of the disease does not cause difficulties. However, the doctor should prescribe therapy, because not all drugs are suitable for small patients.
To eliminate the inflammatory process, ointments and solutions with a pronounced antiseptic, antimicrobial effect are usually recommended. The main therapy consists in regular rinsing of the oral cavity and the treatment of pathological foci with special drugs. In the first case, Miramistin or Chlorhexidine is prescribed.
The following drugs are recommended for mucosal treatment:
- Hexalysis.
- Tantum Verde.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Trypsin.
- "Kalgel."
When the disease is accompanied by severe pain discomfort, short-term applications of lidocaine or benzocaine are used.
Catarrhal stomatitis in infants is often accompanied by fever. In this case, small patients are shown a plentiful drink. If the temperature does not decrease, you need to give an antipyretic medicine. The safest and most effective is considered "Paracetamol". It can be bought in the form of tablets, syrup or suppositories. Ibuprofen has also proven its worth. Any medications should be given only according to the instructions. If the child is not even a year old, and therapy does not give the desired effect, it is necessary to call the local pediatrician.
Catarrhal stomatitis: treatment in adults
Therapy of this disease in adult patients is practically no different from the methods of treating babies. Antiseptic treatments and rinses are also shown to combat inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. On the positive side, traditional medicine has also proven itself. To combat lesions, decoctions based on plants that have a disinfecting and anti-inflammatory effect are used. It can be the well-known calendula, St. John's wort or oak bark. Herbs are brewed with boiling water. A glass of water must be used on a spoonful of dry raw materials.
With a complicated clinical picture, the patient must be hospitalized. In the hospital, he is usually prescribed vitamin therapy and intravenous administration of calcium chloride.
Preventive measures
Catarrhal stomatitis belongs to the category of recurrent diseases. To prevent its re-occurrence, it is necessary to follow simple rules of prevention:
- timely treat dental diseases;
- pay attention to oral hygiene;
- monitor the state of immunity;
- visit your dentist regularly.
Prevention of this disease in children requires a separate consideration. Doctors recommend treating a pacifier and a bottle with disinfectants before each feeding. Toys must be washed periodically with soap and rinsed under running water. When the first teeth appear in a child, it is important to immediately accustom the baby to brushing them. You should consult your pediatrician about which brush and toothpaste to use.