Herpes on the gums: possible causes, symptoms and treatment characteristics
Lesions of the oral mucosa, including herpes on the gums, are the second most popular diseases after the flu and ARVI.The symptomatology of these pathologies is very similar. Eruptions in the mouth disturb the quality of human life, causing pain and discomfort. If they are found, you should consult a doctor to make a correct diagnosis and get a qualified appointment.
Herpes on the gums
Herpes simplex virus of the first type can manifest itself in different age groups. However, for the first time it penetrates the body when the patient is in childhood. With a decrease in immunity, activation of the virus takes place, as a result of which mucous membranes or skin can be affected.
It is believed that herpes on the gum or other parts of the body is not dangerous. However, this pathology is very unpleasant for both adults and children.
Symptoms of the disease
All people have herpes on the gums with symptoms similar:
- on the mucosa appears one or more itchy vesicles;
- in the field of the future rash there is tingling and swelling;
- loss of appetite, pain occurs when eating;
- after rupture of the vesicle in its place a painful ulcer with white or yellowish uneven edges is formed.
In children, relapse or primary infection is often accompanied by fever, general malaise and headaches.
Causes and provocateurs
The most important factor contributing to the development of the disease, is reduced immunity. Often, the herpes joins during a cold. The following reasons can cause a relapse:
- stress or serious emotional experiences;
- lowering the protective functions of the body;
- heat stroke;
- 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 on the gums appeared. This can happen because of the effects of drugs( analgesics, antiseptics), due to a trauma of the mucous membrane with a drill or tools, with irritation of the gums with poorly installed material.
Frequent misconception
Often, herpes gums in a child's parents are confused 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.
- Herpes virus affects tissues adjacent to bones, and stomatitis appears on the mucous membrane of the tongue, cheeks and throat.
- In herpes, the disease begins with the appearance of vesicles, and stomatitis manifests itself as loose ulcers immediately.
- The herpes virus appears more often in a certain place, and stomatitis can have different localization.
If at least once in your life you have had herpes, then it will not be difficult to distinguish it from stomatitis.
Symptomatic treatment of
If herpes on the gums appeared, treatment should be started immediately. The faster the measures are taken, the less time will be taken by the therapy, and it will also be less expensive. The first drugs in symptomatic treatment are antipyretics. They help to relieve pain, and also reduce the temperature when it increases. Babies should be given special children's medicines: Nurofen, Panadol, Ibuklin Junior. Adult patients can choose the remedy that is more familiar to them. Popular drugs are made on the basis of ibuprofen, paracetamol, ketorolac, baralgina, metamizole sodium and other substances.
To anesthetize herpes before eating, you can apply to the affected area of dental gels: "Holisal", "Kamistad", "Calgel" and others. Many of them are also antiseptic. An adult is allowed to hold a solution of lidocaine in his mouth, but only if he is not allergic.
Before the complete cure of herpes, you need to give up fresh fruits, vegetables, juices and any food that contains irritating acids. Also it is necessary to exclude rough food. Drink more pure water, eat soft food, which contains a large amount of protein and nutrients.
Specific drugs
If only herpes on the gums appeared, then antiviral agents should be used. The sooner you start taking them, the more likely a positive result. Effective preparations against the herpes virus of the first type are: Zovirax, Acyclovir, Denavir, Valaciclovir. Carefully read the instructions before use, or consult a doctor. Some antiviral drugs are contraindicated for children up to a certain age, and others are not prescribed for people with HIV.Often, medicines for combating the herpes virus are combined with classical interferon inducers that enhance 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 also take them to relieve symptoms. If you do not use these medications, then the body will cope with the infection itself, and recovery will come in 7-14 days. If there is a bacterial complication, which is often caused by improper oral hygiene, the term 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. It is not recommended to conduct such experiments on children. But an adult can quite afford one of the effective ways.
- Rinse with herbal decoctions, giving anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial effect. Suitable for this are dried shoots of chamomile, sage, peanuts, celandine, wormwood and lemon balm. Pour the grass with boiling water, cool, strain and rinse your mouth after each meal.
- Peach bones, ginger, tea tree, sea-buckthorn and orange oil will help to cure herpes on the gums faster. Apply natural medicine to the affected area pointwise.
- Cranberries not only help to cope with herpes, but also increases the overall resistance of the body. It is important to use it correctly. Pour berries with boiling water, let it brew. The broth can be drunk or used for rinsing.
- By rubbing the herpetic eruptions on the gums with half of the raisins, you will significantly shorten the duration of the illness. Make sure that the dried fruit is clean and soft.
After the illness
How to treat herpes on the gum, you already know. It is important after the recovery to observe the precautionary measures:
- monitor hygiene of the mouth and wash your hands more often;
- exclude mucosal injury;
- fully eat and stick to the right lifestyle;
- discard bad habits;
- do not contact with infected persons.
Once acquired a virus permanently settles in the human body. It is stored in the nerve cells of the brain, dormant. It is impossible to get rid of the pathogen forever. But each patient is able to prevent the awakening of the virus. Some people who have had herpes on the gums are never faced with a similar problem.