Rash around a child's mouth. Causes 2-3, 5-6 years, how to treat, what Komarovsky advises

Last updated: July 24, 2020

Allergic rashes in children are a very common and common occurrence. Most often, this disease manifests itself in the form of a rash, but the causes can be different. You will learn in this article how allergic rashes in children are treated and what they are like.

• For what reason does an allergic rash appear on a child's skin?
• What does a child's skin allergy look like?
• How to diagnose allergies?
• First aid and treatment
• What is done to prevent allergic rashes in children?
• Types of allergic reactions with photos
• Conclusion

What is this disease?

Herpetic stomatitis is a pathological process that develops in the mucous membrane lining the oral cavity. The causative agent of this disease is herpes simplex virus type 1. In children under the age of five, this virus is detected in 60% of all cases. By adolescence, it is detected in the vast majority of people. Herpes stomatitis in children develops during the baby’s first contact with the virus. This occurs most often before the age of three.

The high incidence is explained by:

• low level of production of own antibodies;
• immaturity of cellular immunity;
• the fact that the baby does not receive antibodies from mother's milk;
• high reactivity of the child's body.

If the baby is bottle-fed, he may get sick in the first months of life. Viral infection often goes into a latent state. It persists in the nerve ganglia.

How to avoid allergies in children?

Preventive measures will prevent the child from developing an allergic rash. Doctors give the following recommendations:

• Make sure that the baby does not come into contact with the allergen (remove allergenic foods from his diet; if necessary, change baby powder, soap or dishwashing liquid.
• Maintain order in his room, regularly do wet cleaning.
• If there are pets in the house, keep them clean.
• Strengthen the baby’s immunity (walk more often, play sports).
• Do not violate your doctor’s recommendations for taking medications.

Causes

The cause of the development of the pathology is the herpes simplex virus type 1. It belongs to DNA viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae viral family. The pathogen multiplies rapidly in the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa. Then it enters nearby lymph nodes (submandibular) and continues to reproduce in them. Then it enters the blood and migrates to the parenchymal organs (spleen, liver, kidneys). There it multiplies and enters the bloodstream again. As a result, it again appears in large quantities in the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. They are massively defeated. It is localized in the oropharynx, oral cavity, nose, lips, and nearby skin. Stomatitis and herpes of the skin and mucous membranes develop when the infection generalizes simultaneously.

Children become infected with it as follows:

• through contact and everyday life (using shared utensils, toys, through kissing);
• airborne (coughing, sneezing);
• from a sick mother to the fetus through the placenta or during childbirth.

A baby can become infected from sick adults, children, and carriers.

The following factors contribute to the development of the disease:

• previously suffered inflammatory processes;
• previous antibiotic therapy;
• deficiency of microelements and vitamins in the body;
• mechanical damage to the skin and mucous membranes;
• insufficient fluid intake;
• poor oral hygiene.

In children, the virus is especially easily transmitted through contact. The infectious process quickly spreads to healthy areas.

Irritation from drooling in infants

Starting at approximately 4 months, the baby begins a period of hypersalivation. Parents notice that the child has a lot of saliva, which hangs like ropes from his mouth. This is due to the start of the salivary glands, although it often coincides with the period of teething.

Physiologists believe that this is a protective mechanism that allows you to get rid of microorganisms that get into your mouth with your hands. Due to the constant damp environment, redness and irritation appear on the chin. Mechanical removal of viscous secretion does not produce results.

Hypersalivation can be caused by pathological conditions:

• oral candidiasis;
• helminthic infestation;
• otitis;
• diseases of the central nervous system;
• intoxication as a result of exposure to heavy metal salts.

If a large amount of saliva appears, pathology must be excluded. You need to blot the skin with a disposable or reusable clean scarf.

Classification

According to the flow, acute, chronic, and wave-like variants of the pathology are distinguished. The following degrees of severity of the pathological process are distinguished:

1. Mild - it is typically characterized by a slight increase in body temperature, moderate inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth, and enlargement of regional lymph nodes. Rashes form on the mucous membrane and skin.
2. Medium – high temperature rises. Severe weakness and sudden deterioration in health. The baby begins to vomit and the pain in the mouth increases. Significant rashes appear in the mouth and the skin around it.
3. Severe - a severe headache is added to the pathological process. High temperature rises, severe muscle pain. Not only regional but also distant lymph nodes enlarge. The rashes are located not only in the oral cavity, but on the skin next to it. They appear on the mucous membrane of the eye, on the eyelids, and on other parts of the face.

The severity of the pathology depends on the viral load (the amount of virus in the body) and the general reactivity of the body.

Symptoms of streptoderma

In adults and children, foci of streptoderma occur on the face, arms, legs, in the groin or armpit area, behind the ears, between the buttocks, and in the inframammary fold. Localization can be localized - only one outbreak in one place or mass - several outbreaks in different places.

The main symptoms of streptoderma:

• Flaky, round spots from pink to bright red, often with a yellowish crust;
• Families of bubbles (flykten) with an area from several millimeters to two centimeters;
• Severe dry skin – you constantly want to lubricate and moisturize it;
• Enlarged lymph nodes;
• Swelling and pain in the affected areas;
• Itching and fever up to 38;
• General malaise, weakness;
• Headache;
• Aches in muscles and joints;
• Violation of hygiene rules;
• Diaper rash in bedridden patients.

The first three symptoms are characteristic only of streptoderma, the rest are characteristic of most inflammatory diseases of an allergic and endocrine nature.

Clinical manifestations

Stomatitis in children is characterized by a gradual onset of the disease. Clinical signs of the disease do not appear immediately after infection. The incubation period is typical for this pathology; it lasts from two days to three weeks.

Symptoms of herpetic stomatitis in children appear starting from the prodromal period.

Each period has its own clinic:

1. Latent – ​​lasts up to two weeks. The child's sleep is disturbed and he refuses to eat. The baby becomes restless and whiny. He has increased salivation, possible nausea and vomiting. The lymph nodes are enlarged and painful on palpation.
2. The height of the disease - at this time rashes appear on the skin and mucous membranes. They are located on the soft, hard palate, gums, cheeks, lips and tongue. They are group or single, up to three millimeters in size. They are thin-walled bubbles filled with a clear liquid. Their formation lasts up to four days. The vesicles quickly open, then erosions and painful aphthae form. They are shallow ulcers covered with a white coating. The mucous membrane in the mouth is swollen and bleeding. The child develops a high temperature of up to 40 degrees. A runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis occur.
3. Fading - aphthae, erosions gradually heal and epithelialize. These formations heal without scarring. Often there is a wavy course of the disease. The periods of appearance of rashes alternate with rises in temperature.

The illness usually lasts up to two weeks. In children under one year of age, generalization of the process is possible. The development of sepsis, damage to all internal organs and meninges is likely.

Neonatal acne in newborns

Newborns include children up to 28 days of life. Some mothers notice irritation on the baby's skin during this period, which makes them worry. This condition is typical for 20-30% of children and refers to physiological phenomena.

A rash around a child’s mouth is a consequence of hormonal changes in the body, which begins to live independently.

The second reason for the phenomenon is the proliferation of yeast-like fungi on the surface of the body, which need sebum for nutrition. Externally, it is not difficult to determine that this is acne of the perinatal period. The elements are pointed, with a white shaft in the center. The contents of the vesicle are viscous, which distinguishes clear discharge from herpes infection or dermatitis.

Unlike other causes of its appearance, newborn acne migrates over the face and neck and is not typical for other parts of the body, as with urticaria and miliaria. In addition, there are no signs of intoxication, which would indicate an infectious process.

Diagnostics

A patient suspected of having this disease is examined by a dentist. He asks the child’s parents about how the disease progressed. The diagnosis is established on the basis of the characteristic clinical picture of stomatitis, revealed during examination, anamnesis and characteristic complaints. Upon examination, typical mucosal lesions are revealed.

To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory testing of scrapings of the oral mucosa, the contents of ulcers, the patient’s saliva and blood is used.

The following are used for research:

• cytopolymerase chain reaction;
• immunofluorescence method;
• serological blood tests (RSC, ELISA, immunoglobulin M test);
• HSV test for the detection of immunodot G-specific glycoprotein.

These methods are used only for severe infections, as they are quite expensive.

Atopic dermatitis or infantile eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a reaction to hazardous foods. Redness can occur on the body in the chest area, arms and neck. If the allergen is not excluded, the elements open up, begin to get wet, and the skin becomes very itchy.

Five foods that cause atopic dermatitis

Genes responsible for predisposition to the development of the disease have been identified. But it can be realized only with an initially low state of immunity. Often, manifestations of pathology begin under the influence of a stress factor. If there are inflammatory skin diseases, traumatic injuries, then this is the entrance gate for infection and allergens.

The cause of the development of dermatitis can be food, respiratory antigens, or the body’s reaction to long-term use of antibiotics.

Tips for proper treatment of atopic dermatitis:

Treatment

Treatment of herpetic stomatitis in children with mild and moderate forms is carried out on an outpatient basis. In severe cases and the development of complications, the baby is hospitalized. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a pediatric dentist or periodontist.

Children are prescribed bed rest and a diet with pureed, non-irritating food. He is given separate hygiene items and dishes. Plenty of warm fluids are recommended.

The following drugs are prescribed:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, Paracetamol, Nurofen) are used to relieve temperature and inflammatory reactions.
2. Antihistamines (Clemastine, Loratadine) are used to relieve swelling of the mucous membranes.
3. Antiviral drugs (Famciclovir, Acyclovir, Zovirax) are used at the beginning of treatment or in severe cases.
4. Immunomodulators (Lysozyme, Gamma globulin, Thymogen) are used to enhance immunity.

During treatment, vitamin-mineral complexes and fish oil are used in monthly courses.

Local drugs that act directly on the mucous membrane are widely used.

For local treatment of herpetic stomatitis the following are used:

• antiseptics (Hexoral, Miramistin) - they are used to rinse the mouth every four hours for two weeks;
• ointments and gels with anesthetics (Kamistad, Lidochlor gel) are used for pain relief, they are lubricated with mucous membranes three times a day for up to two weeks;
• antiviral agents (Ganciclovir, Acicovir) - destroy the viral cell, gums are treated with these ointments five times a day, two weeks;
• proteolytic enzymes (Trepsin, Chymotrypsin) are used to cleanse the necrotic surfaces of ulcers; they are washed with these solutions twice a day.
• rinsing with decoctions of medicinal herbs (calendula, chamomile, sage) is carried out after each meal for up to two weeks;
• epithelializing ointments (Solcoseryl, Methyluracil) are used to enhance the healing of erosions and ulcers, used in the recovery stage, used up to four times a day for ten days.

Physiotherapy is applied locally. Irradiation of affected mucous membranes with ultraviolet and infrared rays is used.

Perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis occurs mainly in young people, under 20 years of age. People who use hormonal-based cosmetics are at risk. In children, the disorder appears in no more than 5% of all cases, followed by peeling and the appearance of small dotted elements with a white dot in the center. Localization of manifestations is the chin, nasolabial triangle.

As the elements spread, they merge with each other and infection occurs. The rash does not cause significant discomfort or itching. If treatment is not started at an early stage, the skin becomes rough and may change color to brown. Subsequently, the restoration of the normal pale pink color of the cover does not occur.

This type of irritation occurs for several reasons:

• decreased immunity;
• the use of hormonal agents to combat dermatitis;
• allergy;
• hormonal changes;
• skin damage from bacteria;
• vitamin deficiency;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• use of fluoride-containing paste;
• disruption of the nervous system;
• prolonged exposure to the sun.

The border between diseased and healthy skin is defined as a thin white film.

Prevention

Preventive measures are aimed at preventing infection. This presents certain difficulties, since the vast majority of the population is infected with it. It is better if the child gets sick from it at an older age.

For this it is recommended:

• avoid contact with infected people;
• will provide personal utensils and personal hygiene products for the child;
• Kissing people with herpetic rashes is prohibited;
• strengthening the baby's immune system.

It is recommended that the child be provided with adequate nutrition and regularly given vitamin and mineral complexes.