Symptoms and treatment of lip jams in adults and children
The popular name for angulite is zaeda.
The disease is characterized by the presence of cracks in the corners of the mouth, erosion and irritation. In some cases, slight bleeding may occur. Common causes of sticking at the corners of the mouth include infection, irritation, and damage to the skin at the corners of the lips. Angulitis is rare in children. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in adults. Predisposing factors:
- decreased general immunity;
- deficiency of B vitamins;
- the presence of a bacterial infection;
- habit of licking lips, malocclusion;
- hypothermia;
- long-term use of corticosteroid drugs;
- eating unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- presence of caries;
- chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, anemia, HIV, liver disease).
Your pediatrician will tell you at your appointment what causes seizures in babies.
Types of angulite
Considering the etiology, seizures can be primary and secondary. In turn, the primary ones are divided into: streptococcal, viral and candidiasis.
Viral seizures. They are caused by a viral infection (herpes virus). In this case, a doctor will help you choose an ointment for sticking in the corners of an adult’s lips.
Streptococcal seizures are caused by streptococcal infection. A characteristic manifestation is the formation of a yellowish-red crust.
Candidiasis angulitis. The cause is a fungal infection. This type is characterized by a chronic course and the absence of a crust.
Angulitis during pregnancy: how to get rid of it
Pregnant women are very vulnerable to various infections. Risk factors in this case are vitamin deficiency and increased stress on the body.
Causes of angulitis during pregnancy:
- licking lips in the cold;
- allergic reactions;
- caries;
- dry lips;
- general decrease in immunity.
On our website Dobrobut.com you will find more information on this issue. Here you can make an appointment with a doctor, who will tell you how to get rid of the jam and which ointment is best to use in your case.
Diagnosis of herpes
"SM-Doctor" is a multidisciplinary clinic specializing in providing high-quality medical services to children of any age. Diagnosis of herpetic infections in our center is carried out according to the standards used in leading clinics in Europe and the world. Our specialists establish a preliminary diagnosis at the stage of the initial examination of the child. Depending on the severity of the clinical picture, the necessary auxiliary diagnostic procedures are selected:
- a set of standard laboratory tests (general blood test, urine test, blood “biochemistry”, etc.);
- specific serological tests (ELISA) to detect antibodies to a specific type of virus in the patient’s blood;
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly informative diagnostic method that allows you to detect the presence of a virus in a child’s body with up to 99% accuracy.
"SM-Doctor" is a multidisciplinary center. Thanks to this, if necessary (for example, if complications develop), our patients can be examined by a wide range of specialists in different fields. If the attending physician, in addition to infection, suspects a pathology of internal organs and systems, he refers the sick child for consultation with a cardiorheumatologist, ophthalmologist, neurologist and others. In a short period of time, the child receives a full range of diagnostic services aimed at identifying any abnormalities in the functioning of the body.
Angulitis: clinical manifestations
The symptoms of angulitis are very similar to the manifestations of herpes, so it is extremely important to promptly contact a specialist who will make the correct diagnosis and tell you how to quickly cure angulitis.
Symptoms of seizure:
- redness in the corners of the mouth;
- cracks;
- multiple blisters with purulent contents;
- slight bleeding (not always);
- purulent crusts.
Treatment of lip jams in adults depends on the etiology and form (acute or chronic). It is very important to start treatment on time, because without it, the affected area can increase, causing significant discomfort to the patient.
Labial herpes (herpes on the lips, cold sores on the lips)
Labial herpes is a highly contagious and common viral infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (less commonly type 2). Most people by the age of puberty already have this virus in their body and are its carriers, even without symptoms. After infection, the virus “sleeps” for some time in the nerve cells of the facial skin, and when activated, it causes a cold on the lips. Exacerbations may be caused by a viral infection or fever, hormonal changes, increased fatigue or stress, prolonged or intense exposure to sunlight, decreased immunity, or skin trauma.
The herpes simplex virus is transmitted through close contact (for example, by kissing), and is contagious even in the absence of obvious rashes on the lips. It appears as small, painful blisters (filled with clear fluid) on the lips (sometimes near the mouth or nose), which are usually grouped together, so the size of the lesion can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
After the bubbles burst, a crust forms in their place. Herpes on the lips usually goes away in 2-3 weeks, leaving no scars.
The disease occurs in several stages. The initial symptoms are tingling, itching or burning in the lips, then blisters appear, which merge and burst over time, leaving small wounds oozing liquid, after which a crust forms in their place. The first episode (manifestation) of the disease may be accompanied by fever, sore throat, sore muscles, headache, sore gums, and swollen lymph nodes. Recurrent infection is usually milder. Symptoms of cold sores most often occur in children between 1 and 5 years of age.
In the typical course of the disease, diagnosis does not require the use of specific studies; it is enough for the doctor to conduct an examination and find out the medical history. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms.
There are no medications aimed at the cause of the disease. As a rule, herpes on the lips goes away on its own, without treatment. The healing process can be accelerated by using antiviral drugs in the form of ointments or tablets (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir). Reducing discomfort and pain is achieved through the use of local products containing alcohol (dries and accelerates healing), lidocaine or benzocaine (for very uncomfortable and painful conditions), antipyretic and analgesic drugs (for fever, severe pain). Cold compresses reduce redness and help remove crusts.
Before going outside, lips and face should be protected from the sun (with a product containing zinc oxide) and moisturizing balms should be used.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if herpes on the lips of a child does not disappear within 2 weeks, the disease is severe, there is irritation in the eyes during an exacerbation, relapses of herpes occur frequently, the child has a weakened immune system (due to some disease), there are diseases such as atopic dermatitis.
Diagnosis of the disease
Unfortunately, patients with angulitis very rarely turn to a specialist for help, but in vain. After all, the acute form of the disease is easier to cure, thereby preventing the disease from becoming chronic.
Required research:
- general blood and urine tests;
- blood sugar test;
- biochemical analysis and liver tests;
- ELISA blood test for herpes viruses;
- blood test for syphilis;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Consultation with highly specialized specialists may also be required.
Treatment of lip jams in adults
After examining the patient and studying the test results, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment, usually consisting of medications (local or general action) and vitamin-mineral complexes. It is extremely important to give up bad habits and avoid irritating factors during treatment.
If there is an infection, the patient will be prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy (taking into account the type of pathogen). For a viral infection, antiviral drugs are recommended, and for candidiasis angulitis, antimycotic drugs, such as nystatin and lamicon. Trimistin and tetracycline are prescribed for mixed forms of the disease. All this applies to the treatment of the disease in adults. Your pediatrician will tell you how to treat jams in the corners of the mouth in children. After examining the baby, the pediatrician will prescribe drug therapy and suggest the most effective traditional medicine.
How to treat stomatitis in a child?
Stomatitis in children
Canker sores are inflammations in a child's mouth that can cause sores on the tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat. This situation is more common in children under 3 years of age, but can also occur in adolescence. In most cases, stomatitis is caused by the herpes virus, and in this case is called herpetic gingivostomatitis.
Treatment is carried out as prescribed by the pediatrician, who recommends keeping the child's mouth clean at all times, as well as using medications to relieve symptoms and, in some cases, relieve discomfort.
What can cause stomatitis in children?
Stomatitis can occur for several reasons, but the most common causes are:
- decreased immune system defenses,
- habit of putting dirty hands and objects (toys) in the mouth,
- as a result of infection with influenza viruses, herpes simplex or chickenpox, Coxsackie viruses, enteroviruses,
- candidiasis (thrush).
Other pathogens include bacteria and fungi. Temperature or mechanical trauma to the oral cavity and allergic reactions may also be the cause. Vitamin B or C deficiency plays a role.
Main symptoms
Pediatric stomatitis usually presents with symptoms such as irritability and poor appetite because when food gets into the wound, it causes pain. Other symptoms that may occur with stomatitis:
- Mouth ulcers or gum inflammation;
- Pain in the mouth and throat when swallowing;
- There may be a temperature above 38°C;
- Sores on the lips;
- Bad breath.
These symptoms can appear at the same time, but most often only the ulcers appear. In addition to stomatitis, there are other diseases that can cause mouth ulcers, such as Coxsackievirus, which causes foot-and-mouth disease. Therefore, it is important for the pediatrician to timely assess the symptoms and do tests in order to make a correct diagnosis.
What is observed in a child’s mouth with stomatitis?
Upon examination, painful erosions, ulcers and blisters may be observed on the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the cheeks, gums, lips, tongue and, less commonly, in the back of the throat. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw are also common.
The gums may be slightly swollen, red, ulcerated, and bleed easily.
When the cause of the disease is viral, oral lesions may last 7 to 10 days, although general symptoms disappear sooner.
Is it possible to easily diagnose the pathogen?
Microbiological testing can be done, but the methods used are not simple.
Samples must be transported and cultured in a suitable environment. Results will be received in approximately 15 days. Rapid diagnostic methods are also available, such as direct staining of vesicle contents with fluorescent antibodies.
Is there any specific treatment?
Treatment of stomatitis should be prescribed by a pediatrician or dentist and last about 2 weeks. However, it is important to be careful with the food your child eats and maintain proper oral hygiene to avoid the growth of microorganisms in the ulcer.
Most often, gingivostomatitis resolves spontaneously and requires only symptomatic pain treatment or antiseptics to promote local healing. In children, special attention should be paid to their hydration by offering liquids in divided form, cold or at room temperature. Sour, salty or spice-rich foods should be avoided.
Discomfort can be reduced with paracetamol or ibuprofen taken by mouth. If a yeast infection is suspected, topical application or antifungal rinses are usually effective. In some cases, the use of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir may be recommended for gingivostomatitis caused by herpes viruses. This medication helps heal sores in the mouth, but should only be used with a prescription from your pediatrician. Treatment of herpes infection with acyclovir is not required for mild infections in children with sufficiently strong immunity.
How to feed a baby or child with stomatitis?
It is important that the child’s feeding is not interrupted if there is an illness. However, it is important to be careful to avoid aggravating symptoms:
- Avoid acidic foods such as orange, kiwi or pineapple;
- Offer cold liquids such as fruit juices or smoothies;
- Eating pureed or liquid foods, such as soups;
- Choose cold foods such as yogurt, fruit compotes and gelatin.
How can you prevent stomatitis?
Infections caused by the herpes simplex virus often occur in schoolchildren. Most of these infections are asymptomatic; the virus is excreted in saliva in the absence of clinical manifestations of the disease. Children with this condition should remain at home until the end of treatment. The best form of prevention is strict hand-washing, avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with others, and not sharing glasses or utensils.
