How to treat aphthous stomatitis in children. Antiseptic rinses –. The nature of the disease and the causes of its occurrence

Aphthous stomatitis in children is a common disease of the oral cavity, in which superficial ulcerations - aphthae - appear on the mucous membrane. Causes disease pathogenic virus or bacteria. Children with weakened immune systems get sick after past illness. The child becomes restless and complains of pain in the mouth. It is necessary to diagnose in time and treat correctly aphthous stomatitis under the supervision of a doctor.

Why aphthae occurs in children is not completely known. The disease is believed to be caused by complex impact several pathogenic factors - a decrease in immunity due to systemic diseases and the influence of viruses and bacteria. Aphthous stomatitis in a child is provoked by the following factors:

• diseases of the oral cavity (caries, periodontitis);
• gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, colitis);
• chronic diseases of the ENT organs (tonsillitis, adenoiditis);
• mechanical, chemical or temperature injuries to the mucous membrane in the mouth (burn, wound, bite);
• condition after undergoing acute diseases(measles, diphtheria, influenza);
• presence of allergic diseases;
• genetic predisposition;
• overwork, stress.

The pathogenesis of aphthous stomatitis can be described as follows: in the presence of an acute or chronic disease, immunity decreases, the body weakens, and a lack of vitamins occurs. There is a decrease in local humoral immunity, the concentration in the oral fluid decreases protective factors– immunoglobulins and lysozyme. Mucosal protection is impaired: conditionally pathogenic microorganisms are activated and negatively affect the mucous membrane.

Symptoms

Symptoms and treatment of aphthous stomatitis depend on the severity of the disease. There is a mild and severe form. Main sign diseases are rashes in the form of aphthae. The process begins with redness of a rounded area of ​​the mucous membrane, which hurts and swells slightly over time. Next, a lesion appears in the form of erosion and is covered with a dense coating. Aphtha looks like a plaque surrounded by a red rim. The affected area is very painful when touched. When rashes appear, the child becomes capricious, restless, body temperature rises, and lymphadenitis may occur.

1. At mild form The disease occurs in 1-5 aphthae up to 1 cm in size. The rashes are localized on the tongue, cheeks, lips. After 3-4 days, the plaque on the rash begins to disappear, the aphtha changes, and the redness persists for several more days. During illness, children complain of pain and burning of the mucous membrane. This form It is more common in children under 3 years of age, occurs without complications, body temperature is normal or low-grade.
2. In severe forms of aphthous stomatitis, superficial erosion is formed, which after 5-7 days turns into a deep and very painful ulcer. The formation is covered with a dense fibrinous coating, an area of ​​necrosis forms, and there is hyperemia around the defect. A significant number of aphthae larger than 1 cm occur. In this case, the general condition of the child is disturbed: weakness appears, bad dream, irritability, lymphadenitis, fever. Aphthae heal in 2-3 weeks, epithelization can last up to 2 months.

Depending on the reason and general condition health problem can occur several times a year with a mild form of the disease. In severe form, aphthous stomatitis can worsen up to 6-8 times a year.

Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis is made exclusively by a doctor based on clinical trial, patient survey and results laboratory research. If necessary, bacteriological, virological, allergological and immunological studies are carried out.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis in children will depend on the form of the disease and general condition. Therapy should be comprehensive, aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease and sanitizing the oral cavity. At chronic course disease, the attending physician prescribes a consultation with other specialists: otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, therapist, allergist, immunologist.

Local treatment of aphthous stomatitis in young children includes the use of a number of medications in the oral cavity:

• painkillers (ointments with lidocaine, trimecaine);
• rinsing antiseptic solutions(Furacilin, Chlorhexidine, Rotocan);
• antibacterial medications (Chlorophyllipt);
• proteolytic enzymes to eliminate plaque on aphthae (Trypsin, Chymotrypsin);
• keratoplasty to accelerate epithelization (Carotolin, Linetol, solutions of vitamins A and E);
• local immunomodulators (Lysozyme, Lactoferrin).

General treatment includes:

• anti-inflammatory, antipyretic drugs (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol);
• antihistamines (Tavegil, Loratadine, Suprastin);
• sedatives (Glycine, Valerian, Persen);
• metabolic drugs (Folic acid, Lipamide);
• correction of immunity (Histaglobin, Decaris, Thymogen);
• corticosteroid drugs (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone);
• antibiotic therapy (for severe forms of the disease);
• treatment of concomitant diseases;
• reorganization chronic foci infections;
• application of physiotherapeutic methods;
• vitamin therapy;
• dieting.

After making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment, the dentist will show parents how to treat aphthous stomatitis at home. Rinse with antiseptic solutions, and apply cotton swabs with anti-inflammatory agents to the affected areas. To do this, you need to perform oral hygiene, apply cotton swab medicine and apply to the affected area, carry out the procedure 3-4 times a day. Decoctions are also used for rinsing medicinal herbs(chamomile, sage, oak bark, St. John's wort, lemon balm).

To prevent the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the child’s immunity, create a diet proper nutrition, treat chronic diseases, monitor oral hygiene, avoid contact with sick people. Aphthous stomatitis is common and quite unpleasant illness in children, which requires timely diagnosis and correct complex treatment under the supervision of a doctor.

Aphthous stomatitis is the most common form of stomatitis in children. It is provoked mainly by staphylococci, diplococci and streptococci. Is a common complication after suffering from influenza, diphtheria, measles and similar diseases. Treatment depends on the type of pathogen.

The disease manifests itself as rashes of small gray-yellow ulcers. Aphthosis is not contagious.

Ulcers or aphthae occur in the mouth of children: on inside cheeks, throat, lips, tongue. There may be absolutely Not big size and relatively large (more than ten mm). Sometimes the rash is represented by 1-2 ulcers, and mass accumulations are possible. Ulcers can merge and form a large focus of inflammation. The disease code according to ICD-10 is K12.0.

The causes of this pathology are infectious or allergic in nature. The disease develops regardless of age - in infants and adolescents.

The main risk factors are:

Also, the reasons may be due to previous diseases:

• Flu;
• Staphylococcus;
• Adenovirus;

Kinds

Aphthosis, depending on the course of the disease, is divided into two types:

• Acute aphthous stomatitis;
• Chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

According to the nature of the damage to the mucous membrane, it is divided into:

• Scarring;
• Necrotic;
• Deforming.

There are also subtypes of stomatitis, the division of which occurs depending on the causative agent of the disease:

• Candida;
• Viral.

Spicy

The acute form of the disease is characterized by painful ulcers. The pain intensifies when salty, sweet, or spicy foods come into contact with the aphthae. Acute stomatitis often accompanies viral diseases.

It is necessary to distinguish the acute form of aphthous stomatitis from similar diseases: foot and mouth disease, candidiasis,... Helps differentiate the disease hallmark - aphthae cause severe sharp pain, have a bright, red, inflamed rim around the circumference.

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Chronic relapsing

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a chronic form of inflammation of the mucous membrane. Mostly occurs in a mild form. A few days before the first one appears, a burning sensation and pain are felt.

Afterwards, several small gray-yellow aphthae with a red rim appear. Over the course of several days, the ulcers increase in size, reaching 0.5-1 cm in diameter. Ulcerative aphthae hurt, make it difficult to eat, drink and talk, and the temperature may rise.

Chronic aphthous stomatitis is not contagious; sometimes the ulcers go away on their own after a few days. However the disease is prone to frequent relapses.

Recurrent stomatitis appears again after a few days, years, or maybe immediately after recovery. Sooner or later the disease will return, so it is recommended to record each case in the anamnesis to understand how often a relapse occurs.

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Recurrent stomatitis in children may be severe. The severe course of the disease is characterized by the formation of multiple or single large ulcers. Aphthae are deeper, more painful, and take several times longer to heal. Scars form in place of healed ulcers.

Symptoms

On initial stage symptoms of the disease are similar to common cold , which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. Noted elevated temperature, loss of appetite. In children, symptoms include irritability, tearfulness, increased salivation, there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth, a coating on the tongue.

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The main symptoms are aphthae, easily detected upon examination of the oral cavity.

Aphthae appear on moving parts of the mouth - tongue, cheeks, lips, gums. Initially, the ulcers appear as small oval tumors that appear throughout the day. Ruptured aphthae are covered with a thin layer of epithelium (white or yellow color), have a red rim. A mild form can heal on its own without attracting attention. Aphthae appear and heal, and the patient will even notice accompanying mild symptoms.

Treatment

Stomatitis must be treated under the supervision of a specialist so that the child endures the disease as easily as possible. After all stress can trigger relapse. At the first symptoms, the child must be shown to a doctor (dentist or pediatrician).

After the examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment aimed at healing the ulcers and alleviating the child’s general condition. If necessary antipyretic medications are prescribed and vitamin preparations . Walking outdoors should be limited during treatment. Stomatitis is not contagious, but there is no point in exposing your baby to unnecessary infections on the street.

Will help cure stomatitis diet, rinsing and intake medicines . Folk remedies can also be included in the treatment of the disease.

Drugs

Treatment includes antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, rinsing with antiseptic solutions.

Rinse

• Chlorhexidine. One of the most frequently prescribed antiseptics. Treatment with chlorhexidine promotes the complete destruction of harmful microorganisms in the mouth and throat. The drug is used immediately after meals for a week. In the first days painful sensations must disappear.
• Hydrogen peroxide. Relieves pain, swelling and itching. To use, dilute one tablespoon in 110 ml of water. Rinse your mouth three times a day for 12 days.
• . An excellent antiseptic, without which the treatment of stomatitis cannot be done.

Inhalations

Treatment of stomatitis also occurs using inhalation agents:

Folk remedies

Stomatitis can also be treated with folk remedies:

• Pharmaceutical chamomile. To treat the disease, you need to brew one teaspoon of chamomile flowers in 1 glass hot water, let it brew. Rinse three times a day.
• Oak bark decoction. 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of bark into a glass of water, put on low heat, after boiling, hold for about 17 minutes, cool, strain. Use the entire volume received for rinsing.
• Yarrow. Pour 1 tablespoon of boiling water over it and let it brew for 16 minutes. After the broth has cooled, strain and rinse your mouth.

These tools are worth using only as additional treatment . They are not a panacea. It is worth placing more emphasis on traditional medicine. Folk remedies can be treated only if the child does not suffer from allergies.

To check, you need to drop a drop of the product on the skin and wait. If there is no reaction, you can carefully begin rinsing. Folk remedies relapse prevention can also be carried out aphthous stomatitis.

Diet

Treatment supported by diet - effective way get things going digestive tract and stop relapses. The diet should be gentle on the mucous membranes and work to replenish or fill the body with nutrients.

• Food should be pureed, boiled or stewed - to prevent damage to the aphthae, and also to prevent food from getting stuck in the throat. Due to mouth ulcers, the child cannot chew food properly.
• Complete absence of smoked, spicy, salty, sour and fried food. Eating this type of food may cause pain syndrome The child has.
• Completely eliminate fast food, carbonated drinks and processed foods.

Hygiene

Oral hygiene should be performed regularly, regardless of the patient’s condition. In order to cure stomatitis it is necessary to completely eliminate the possibility of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Recommended replace the old one toothbrush new, definitely with soft bristles to avoid damage to the aft. The toothpaste will also have to be replaced. The causes of inflammation could be that toothpaste contained sodium lauryl sulfate.

Among the wide variety of infectious inflammatory diseases In the oral cavity, aphthous stomatitis most often occurs in children. It often occurs as an epidemic in children's preschool institutions. Almost always, aphthous stomatitis in children occurs in acute form and it is not easy to cure.

The name of the disease is directly related to its clinical manifestations. During illness, aphthae form in the child’s mouth - ulcers with round outlines and smooth edges. The disease is quite difficult to treat and often relapses.

Causes of aphthous stomatitis

The main reason for the development of the disease in a child is considered to be weakened immunity. That is why aphthous stomatitis often occurs against the background of serious diseases, such as:

• Measles;
• Flu;
• Diphtheria;
• Angina;
• Scarlet fever.

The following can also trigger the development of the disease in a child:

• Unbalanced diet.
• Vitamin deficiency.
• Allergic reactions to certain foods.
• Violations of the central nervous system.

When this disease occurs in an infant, its causes are:

• Imperfection immune system, which is in its infancy;
• Incompletely formed enzyme composition of saliva.

Adults themselves can provoke the development of aphthous stomatitis in infants. For example, licking spoons or pacifiers that have fallen on the floor and then giving them to the child.

Advice! To prevent the transmission of infection, all baby supplies must be washed.

It should also be remembered that the baby’s oral mucosa is very weak and vulnerable, so it is necessary to remove from him all traumatic toys that he can pull into his mouth.

Advice! It is necessary to regularly check the condition of the child’s oral cavity during teething, since at this time incorrect position The teeth may experience damage to the mucous membrane associated with accidental bites.

Symptoms of the disease

The disease can occur in children in two forms:

• Acute;
• Chronic.

On initial stage aphthous stomatitis is practically impossible to recognize, so treatment of the disease is carried out very rarely during this period. Initial symptoms are very similar to those of a cold or flu. The baby is observed;

• Lethargy;
• Decreased appetite;
• Reluctance to play.

Changes in the oral mucosa are barely noticeable and are expressed:

• Slight color change;
• Mild swelling.

Older children may complain of discomfort in the mouth while eating, as well as discomfort when speaking.

Advice! It is important to check regularly oral cavity in a child, especially in an infant. The mucous membrane in children should be soft pink and smooth. Minor color deviations, increased dryness or small pimple may be a sign of aphthous stomatitis.

The initial stage of the disease lasts a very short time, after which the child in the acute form of the disease develops the following symptoms:

• Increased body temperature, often up to 39º;
• Noticeable enlargement of lymph nodes;
• Strong headache;
• Bad breath;
• Malfunctions of the intestines.

The main symptoms at this stage are aphthae on the oral mucosa. The ulcers have a clear outline and are round or oval shape. They are very painful and sensitive to cold and hot foods.

Advice! At this stage, it is impossible not to notice the signs of aphthous stomatitis; therefore, treatment should begin immediately.

Chronic aphthous stomatitis is very serious illness. As a rule, it most often occurs in children after 4 years of age. The disease is characterized by frequent recurrences with long period exacerbations, with symptoms corresponding to the acute form.

The stage of extinction of aphthous stomatitis is characterized by fast healing ulcers In severe cases of the disease, scars may appear at the site of aphthae, which will additionally have to be treated with absorbable drugs.

Treatment of aphthous stomatitis

Diagnosis of aphthous stomatitis is very important in order to quickly treat the child and eliminate relapses. This is due to many various reasons that can cause illness. Properly prescribed treatment will eliminate possible remissions, that is, it will prevent the development of a chronic form of aphthous stomatitis.

Advice! If you notice the first signs of illness in a child, you should urgently contact the children's medical institution. Before consulting a doctor, you cannot carry out treatment on your own.

Sometimes diagnosis may require examination by several doctors in different fields. The following studies are mandatory:

• General blood analysis;
• Microscopy of a smear from the oral mucosa.

It is important to understand that the treatment of aphthous stomatitis is a complex measure that takes into account the following factors:

• Presence of concomitant diseases;
• The nature of the symptoms that appear.

As a rule, treatment of an acute form of the disease takes about a week and is carried out according to the following scheme:

• Disinfection of the oral cavity;
• Carrying out pain-relieving procedures;
• Removing plaque from the surface of afts using special preparations;
• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Carrying out immunomodulatory and vitamin therapy.

Hydrogen peroxide is considered the most popular means for disinfecting the oral cavity. High temperature during illness it is necessary to bring down antipyretic drugs.

It is very difficult to treat aphthous stomatitis in an infant. This is primarily due to the pain of aphthae. In order for the treatment to be painless, drugs based on anesthetic components are often used, such as:

• Lidocaine;
• Kalanchoe;
• Trimekain.

If during diagnostics it was installed viral nature stomatitis, treatment is carried out antiviral drugs. In addition to this, it is recommended to treat ulcers with agents that stimulate their healing. They help quickly get rid of aphthae with complex treatment:

• Sea buckthorn oil;
• Ointments based on propolis;
• Vinylin.

Preventive measures

To prevent the development of aphthous stomatitis in children, it is necessary to constantly strengthen their immune system. This means that you need to pay great attention hardening babies and maximally fortifying their diet in accordance with the season.

In this case, even if a disease occurs, it will be much easier to treat. It is also important to teach your child from an early age:

• Follow the rules of oral hygiene;
• Don't put everything in your mouth;
• Wash your hands frequently.

If a child goes to kindergarten, then, if possible, he should be protected from communication with sick children. If this is not possible, then you should examine the baby’s oral cavity every day in order to detect signs of the disease in time and begin to treat it.

If the symptoms of stomatitis in a baby are detected in a timely manner, then proper treatment after proper diagnosis in shortest time it will be possible to remove painful sensations and quickly cure the disease.

(in Greek, “stoma” means mouth, and “itos” means inflammation) is due to the way in which inflammation of the mucous membrane manifests itself in this type of disease, namely, the formation of painful aphthae in the oral cavity.

Afta is a lesion of the mucous membrane of an erosive nature. Looks like round, less often irregular shape formation of whitish, gray, yellowish color framed by an area of ​​redness.

Unlike ulcers, such as boils, pockmarks, etc., aphthae do not affect the basal (deep) areas of the epithelium, are not accompanied by suppuration and the formation of bursting blisters, due to which they heal, as a rule, without leaving scars.

Typically, aphthae are a symptom of a disease, such as influenza or foot-and-mouth disease, but sometimes (most often in children) they can be separate disease on their own.

Causes

The mechanism of formation of aphthous erosions of the oral mucosa has not yet been fully elucidated. IN currently The autoimmune nature of aphthous stomatitis is generally accepted.

Autoimmunity, that is, “self-immunity”, immunity directed against oneself, is a pathological condition in which the body’s defense mechanisms (antibodies, natural killer cells) recognize cells and tissues own body as a foreign infection, turning its protective effect against them.

Erosion-aphthae is precisely a visible manifestation of the “struggle” of the body’s natural defenders against its own tissues. The autoimmune theory, among other things, explains the prevalence of aphthous stomatitis among children: the child’s body is at the stage of “adjusting” the immune system, therefore various “problems” of this system manifest themselves in children, especially in infants, much more acutely.

Autoimmunity is congenital pathology hereditary or mutagenic nature. A predisposition to the formation of aphthous erosions is a feature specific child. But whether this feature will manifest itself depends on whether the child is exposed to provoking factors. The reasons that provoke the development of aphthous stomatitis in children can be the following:

• Traumatic injuries to the oral mucosa - mechanical abrasions and cuts, thermal or chemical burns.
• Allergic reactions to various products or oral care products.
• Lack of vitamins and minerals. A lack of iron and zinc, vitamins B and C in foods can provoke the appearance of erosions in a child.
• Dry mouth. Often occurs when breathing through the mouth due to a stuffy nose. If, at the same time, the relative air humidity in the children’s room is insufficient (less than 60%), then, as the well-known pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky, the formation of aphthous erosions in a child is almost guaranteed.
• Nervous fatigue. Stress in a child’s nervous system can become a “trigger” that triggers the formation of aphthous stomatitis. Similar phenomena are most typical for younger children school age for whom the beginning of the school stage of life is a significant stress.

In the photo: aphthous stomatitis in a child

Kinds

Help for a child suffering from aphthous stomatitis largely depends on what type of stomatitis was encountered. What types of stomatitis are there?

According to the nature of the disease

• Spicy. The disease progresses rapidly, reaching a peak within 3-4 days, after which it subsides just as quickly.
• Chronic. The chronic form can develop from the acute form when improper treatment or its absence. The disease can manifest itself continuously, either exacerbating or fading, over a long period of time. With chronic aphthous stomatitis, a child may show signs of general malaise, reminiscent of ARVI symptoms.
• Recurrent. Relapses, that is, the resumption of the disease after a period of “quiet”, are typical for children who have suffered from chronic aphthous stomatitis.

For reasons of illness

• Primary. Primary stomatitis is a disease that occurs for reasons related to injuries, stress, and vitamin deficiency.
• Secondary. Secondary include stomatitis that occurs as a result of other diseases of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

According to the clinical picture

By severity clinical manifestations From the mildest to the most severe, aphthous stomatitis is of the following types:

• fibrous;
• glandular;
• scarring;
• deforming.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Diagnosis of aphthous stomatitis in children aged one year and older older problems usually doesn't cause it. A child affected by this disease will certainly complain of one or more characteristic symptoms:

1. Discomfort in the oral cavity.
2. Pain when eating, which gets worse if you eat salty or sour foods, hot food or drink.
3. Formations in the oral cavity felt by the tongue.
4. Unpleasant and painful sensations in the area of ​​the lymph nodes, swelling is possible.

After this, a cursory examination of the oral cavity is sufficient to detect main symptom aphthous stomatitis - aphtha. Erosive aphthae can be located on the tongue, palate, inner surface of the lips and cheeks, and less often on the gums. The appearance of the formations is so characteristic that it is difficult to make a mistake in diagnosis even for a person without a medical specialty.

But with children under one year old, especially infants, difficulties may arise. After all, a baby cannot talk about his feelings. Of course, the baby will tell you about troubles in the usual way - whining, crying and screaming. However, given that the number of reasons for whims infants cannot be taken into account; one should not count on the information content of such a “method”.

The key to timely detection of aphthous stomatitis in newborns and preventing the disease from progressing to chronic form- Mandatory daily examination of the infant’s oral cavity. You should examine not only the tongue and palate, but also (necessarily!) the inner surface of the cheeks and lips.

An unpleasant feature of aphthous stomatitis in newborns is that even light form can cause signs of general malaise in the baby - drowsiness, or vice versa, continuous crying, increased body temperature, loss of appetite, etc. Unfortunately, some mothers, instead of immediately showing their child to a doctor, begin self-medication for ARVI, flu, or viral infections with similar symptoms.

Features of treatment in children

Mild aphthous stomatitis in children aged one year and older usually does not require medical intervention and goes away on its own without any serious consequences for a child. You can cope with the disease at home. To do this, it is enough to relieve the body independent struggle with illness.

First of all, the baby needs a gentle diet that eliminates irritating factors. highly salted or spicy food It is not recommended to give to young children in any case. Irritation may cause sour fruits- citrus fruits, green apples, etc., some juices, tea with lemon. During the treatment of aphthous stomatitis, it is advisable to exclude these products. For older children, the list is temporary unwanted products dry biscuits, hard fruits, nuts, that is, products that can cause physical contact irritation problem areas in the mouth.

Good results in the treatment of aphthous stomatitis are obtained by combining a gentle diet with frequent regular rinses of the mouth. For this purpose it is used weak solution baking soda(half a teaspoon per glass of water), special solution “Stomatidin”.

• Sage
• St. John's wort
• Motherwort
• Chamomile
• Calendula

In newborns and infants, aphthous stomatitis may be a consequence of intolerance mother's milk. Unfortunately, in this case, the baby will most likely have to switch to a formula selected by a pediatrician after a mandatory consultation.

Also, if stomatitis is accompanied severe pain, the doctor may prescribe a pain-relieving gel for the child.

Lubricate mouth ulcers alcohol solutions, including iodine solution, under no circumstances! Such “treatment” can cause a burn to the mucous membrane.

If treatment of stomatitis at home does not produce results and the disease does not go away for more than five days, and also if there is an increase in temperature, severe swelling of the lymph nodes, rashes around the lips and outside the face, you must urgently contact a medical facility.

Stomatitis is not contagious, however, it can be provoked by nearby infectious diseases. It is possible to temporarily isolate the child (quarantine) and use antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of secondary aphthous stomatitis consists of eliminating the disease that caused stomatitis. Therapeutic measures in this case depend on the nature of the disease-cause.

Adults and children often develop small sores (aphthae) in the mouth. They can be quite painful and have many reasons for their occurrence.

In some cases, aphthae go away on their own. However, treatment is often required for wounds to disappear. In this case, the help of a doctor is necessary. Only a specialist can correctly diagnose, establish the cause of the anomaly and prescribe adequate treatment.

What is afta?

The word aphta translated from Greek means “pimple”. Its appearance on the oral mucosa begins with a slight burning sensation. There are three stages in the development of aphtha itself.

1. Within a few days, a small bubble containing liquid appears at the site of the burning sensation.
2. After this, an ulcer forms. It has a yellowish-white color. The size of the wound can reach one centimeter, but more often it is within three to four millimeters. Aphtha develops around inflammatory process, due to which slight redness of neighboring tissues occurs.
3. After a few days, a protective mesh forms over the ulcer. It consists of protein and fibrin. Looks like a gray-white spot.

Wounds can appear in groups of up to six. In this case there is Great chance development of aphthous stomatitis. At weak immunity and availability various diseases of a systemic nature, such an illness can develop into a chronic form. In this case, during periods of exacerbation, recurrent oral aphthae will appear and then disappear. The disease itself has a sluggish course and is accompanied by tissue swelling.

Symptoms

The formation of aphthae on the oral mucosa can be quite uncomfortable. On early stage a person may experience:

• lack of appetite;
• increased body temperature;
• malaise and weakness;
• enlarged cervical and occipital lymph nodes.

After the ulcers appear, pain occurs while eating and talking.

Classification

There are aphthae in the mouth different types. They differ appearance and localization.

• Most often, inferior aphthae appear. They are observed in eighty percent of cases. Such wounds have a small diameter and affect the mucous membrane of the lower lip.
• Large aphthae have a diameter of about one centimeter. They are located on the mucous membranes of the palate, cheeks, tongue, and lips. They are deep, take a long time to heal and often recur.
• Herpetic aphthae manifest as large quantity very small bubbles. They can completely cover the tongue, palate and even the entire mouth. This type of disease is especially common in women.

Reasons for appearance

Aphthae in the mouth can develop as an independent pathology, and can also be complications of other diseases. Scientists have not established the direct causative agent of the wounds.

The causes of aphthae in the mouth are quite varied. The main ones are:

• injuries or cheek, damaged mucous membrane while eating or brushing teeth, carelessness of the dentist, scratching of tissues with a destroyed tooth, interfering braces or poor quality dentures);
• radiation therapy, used to treat tumors in the head or neck;
• entry into the oral cavity chemical substances(medicines, gaseous irritants);
• stress;
• insufficient oral hygiene;
• herpes;
• genetic predisposition;
• disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract;
• ulcerative colitis;
• dysfunction of the endocrine system;
• decreased immunity;
• lichen planus;
• blood problems;
• thrush;
• allergy;
• deficiency of vitamins and minerals.

Is it necessary to see a doctor?

Canker sores are not contagious. They can develop without consequences and disappear on their own. In this case, the ulcers are observed for no more than two weeks, heal spontaneously, and leave no traces.

In complicated cases, as well as with the development of painful and large wounds, you should consult a doctor. A specialist will determine how to treat aphthae in the mouth.

In the absence of the necessary medical care, complicated ulcers can cause various disorders, leave scars, and develop into a chronic form.

Some people choose to self-medicate and do so quite successfully. However, this tactic is acceptable only if aphthae are single, occur very rarely and do not cause complications.

If there are many wounds, they are painful and do not go away for a long time, you need to consult a dentist. This will help avoid relapses after self-medication, the appearance allergic reactions, complications.

Features of treatment

If the ulcer does not go away on its own two weeks after it appears, then you need to help it heal. This is easy to do at home. Treatment for aphthae in the mouth involves reducing discomfort and stimulation of wound healing.

The main ways to help get rid of pathology are:

• mouth rinse;
• lubricating the location of wounds;
• chewing.

Smokers should give up cigarettes during treatment. Nicotine smoke is very irritating to the mucous membrane, and this slows down tissue healing.

If, two weeks after starting treatment, the aphthae has not disappeared or even started to increase, you should consult your doctor again. The specialist must appoint full examination body and supplement local methods effects on affected areas using integrated methods fight against pathology.

Drug therapy

Treatment of aphthae in the mouth begins with determining the cause of their occurrence. If the ulcers are a consequence of a systemic illness, then drugs are prescribed in parallel to combat it. Depending on this, they select necessary medications: antiviral, antibacterial, antimycotic.

For aphthae, topical drugs are used:

• painkillers (to facilitate the process of eating, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with them immediately before eating);
• antiseptic solutions and ointments (to speed up the healing of ulcers and eliminate the possibility of bacterial infection, the wounds are treated two to three times a day for a week);
• anti-inflammatory (applied directly to the sore spot, helps relieve redness and swelling);
• rubbing the affected areas with vitamin A.

All medications are inexpensive and are available in pharmacies without a prescription.

Folk remedies

In addition to use in the treatment of aphthae in the mouth, it is recommended to follow the advice alternative medicine:

• rinse your mouth with a solution table salt or soda, tea leaves, tincture of calendula or sage, a decoction of medicinal herbs - linden, chamomile, St. John's wort;
• chew honeycomb;
• lubricate wounds essential oils rosemary, geranium, tea tree.

Incorrect use folk remedies may render their use completely ineffective. Therefore, before treatment with any alternative medicine prescription, it is better to consult a doctor.

Diet

If aphthae in the mouth occurs quite often and for no reason, then first of all you should reconsider your diet. The diet should include products:

• disinfecting the mucous membrane of the gums and palate (garlic, onion);
• rich in flavones (turnips, blueberries, persimmons, oranges);
• containing a high percentage of zinc ( walnuts, mushrooms, peas, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, bran from rice and rye, chicken heart, beef);
• rich in vitamin B (pork and beef by-products, yeast, broccoli, milk, oats, bananas);
• containing vitamin C (citrus fruits, black currants, rose hips, kiwi).

Prevention

In addition to proper nutrition, adherence to additional measures. To do this you need:

• monitor the condition of teeth (treat in time dental diseases, adjust malocclusion, build up or remove a broken tooth, install only high-quality braces and orthopedic structures);
• To brush your teeth, choose a brush with soft bristles that will not injure the oral cavity;
• To strengthen the immune system, visit the sauna, have a massage, do exercises, and spend a lot of time outdoors.

Mouth aphthae in children: treatment and prevention

There is a separate type of mouth ulcers that is specific only to babies. The wounds are called "Bednar's aphthae." They appear as a result of traumatic erosion of the oral mucosa.

The pathology is most often observed in newborns. Aphthae occur due to violation of feeding rules, choosing the wrong nipple, rough skin of the mother's nipple, improper oral hygiene, lack of sterilization of bottles, and thumb sucking.

In older children and adolescents, such ulcers appear due to the habit of putting various objects in the mouth.

Bednar's aphthae have characteristic features:

• localized on the border of the soft and hard palate;
• have clear contours;
• located symmetrically;
• covered with plaque gray-yellow color, which is very difficult to remove.

Ulcers cause severe pain. In a neglected state, the aphthae merge. A large erosion forms on the surface of the oral mucosa, which causes great concern when feeding.

To prevent the newborn from starting to refuse food and lose weight, when wounds appear, it is necessary to urgently contact a pediatrician and begin measures to remove aphthae in the mouth. The reasons for their appearance and treatment are closely interrelated, so only a doctor can collect the entire medical history and, based on it, make a diagnosis. correct diagnosis. Bednar's aphthae is differentiated from diseases such as:

• syphilis;
• tuberculosis;
• diphtheria of the throat;
• sore throat of the herpetic type.

After confirming the diagnosis and identifying the cause of the wounds, treatment is prescribed. It includes:

• eliminating the factor that caused the injury;
• cleansing mucous membranes of plaque;
• medicinal treatment of the oral cavity;
• use of anesthetics.

Healing of aphthae in children lasts from several weeks to two months. During this period it is necessary constant control pediatrician

In order to prevent the occurrence of aphthae in children, it is necessary to follow simple rules:

• choose a good pacifier;
• follow the rules of artificial and breastfeeding;
• monitor the condition of the mother’s nipples;
• maintain baby's oral hygiene;
• in older children, eradicate the habit of putting foreign objects in their mouth.

Despite preventive measures, aphthae may still appear in children. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor. The same should be done if the wound appears in an adult and does not go away within two weeks.