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Stomatitis in the baby is a condition characterized by inflammation of the mouth that leads to thrush on the tongue, gums, cheeks and throat. This situation is more frequent in babies under 3 years of age and in most cases it is caused by the herpes virus, being known in this case as herpetic gingivostomatitis.
The treatment for stomatitis in the baby should be done according to the pediatrician's guidance, it is recommended that the baby's mouth is always clean and that medicine be used to relieve symptoms and reduce discomfort in some cases.
Main symptoms
Stomatitis is more common in infants up to 3 years of age and causes symptoms such as irritability and poor appetite, and it is also common for the child to cry and not want to eat because he feels pain when the food touches the wound. Other symptoms that may arise in case of stomatitis are:
- Canker sores or inflammation of the gums;
- Pain in the mouth and throat when swallowing;
- There may be a fever above 38º;
- Wounds on the lips;
- Lack of appetite;
- Bad breath.
These symptoms can appear at the same time, but the only frequent is the appearance of thrush. In addition to stomatitis, other diseases can also cause mouth sores, such as the Coxsackie virus that causes hand-foot-mouth disease, and it is important that the pediatrician evaluate the symptoms and order tests to make the correct diagnosis.
Causes of stomatitis in a baby
Stomatitis can have several causes, being more frequent due to the weakened immune system, the baby's habit of putting dirty hands and objects in the mouth, or as a consequence of the flu, for example. In addition, stomatitis can occur due to contamination by the Herpes simplex virus or the chickenpox virus, and there are usually other symptoms besides cold sore.
Stomatitis can also be related to children's eating habits, and it is common to appear due to vitamin B and C deficiency.
How to treat stomatitis in baby
The treatment for stomatitis in the baby must be indicated by the pediatrician or dentist and lasts about 2 weeks, being important to be careful with the foods the baby eats and with the hygiene of the teeth and mouth.
It is important that the baby's mouth is always clean, to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms in the cold sore, and the use of medications to relieve symptoms and reduce discomfort, such as Paracetamol, for example, may be recommended. In some cases, the use of an antiviral, Zovirax, may be recommended if it is a gingivostomatitis caused by the Herpes virus. This medication helps to heal mouth sores, but should only be used with a pediatrician's prescription.
How to feed baby with cold sore
It is important that the baby's feeding is continued even in the presence of thrush, however it is important to take some precautions to prevent the worsening of symptoms, such as:
- Avoid acidic foods, such as orange, kiwi or pineapple;
- Drink cold liquids like fruit juice like melons;
- Eat pasty or liquid foods such as soups and purees;
- Prefer frozen foods like yogurt and gelatin.
These recommendations help to reduce pain when swallowing, preventing cases of dehydration and malnutrition. Check out recipes for baby food and juices for this stage.