Herpes on the lip of a child occurs for various reasons. If these are relapses, and not primary infection, then it is easy to suppress the virus using standard methods. If herpes sores occur frequently, the baby may have problems with the immune system. With the initial infection, the disease can be more severe. Below we will tell you about the treatment of herpes on the lips in children, what are the causes of rashes, as well as the forms of manifestation of the herpes virus in children, which manifests itself on the lips at different age groups.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Herpes on the lips in children is one of the most common viral diseases of a chronic mass nature. Consider the two existing types of this infection:

First type. Usually occurs on the lips or mucous membranes of the mouth. As a rule, stomatitis, high fever and significant swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck are inevitable.

Second type. It occurs both on the genitals and on the lips. This problem should be given special attention. This applies primarily to pregnant women. If the expectant mother is a virus carrier, then during childbirth, infection of the child is inevitable. In this situation, herpes in children requires immediate medical intervention.

CAUSES

Modern scientific medicine has identified almost 80 types of herpes. All of them are rather poor at withstanding high temperatures, as well as external influence of ultraviolet rays. But when the cold season comes and a fairly dry climate is observed, its activation begins.

Herpes infection is very contagious, often even a newborn baby can easily get sick. Of course, contact with carriers of the virus can be the underlying cause of infection. An infected child, during illness, may itself be a virus carrier.

Virus transmission routes

Consider the three main lines of transmission of the virus for herpes on the lips:

Contact and household transmission of infection. During close contact, infection occurs through kissing through salivation on the mucous membrane of the lips and mouth. In everyday life, with the general use of household utensils (dishes, bed linen) or personal hygiene items (towel, toothbrush or washcloth).

The transplacental line of transmission of infection occurs directly during childbirth to the fetus from the mother. The causative agent of the infection crosses the placenta. Therefore, if a woman is expecting a child, she needs to learn how to treat herpes on the lips with relapses during pregnancy.

Airborne transmission of infection is caused by the penetration of the virus into the respiratory system of a healthy child through the oral cavity or through the nose and eyes from the virus carrier during a cough or sneeze.

The human body is very susceptible and sensitive to herpes infections, and therefore, frequent colds on the lips of a child are not surprising. In order not to infect a child with herpes on the lips, it is necessary to adhere to elementary rules – not to contact the virus carrier with the baby, then the child may not have herpes.

Reasons for a weakened immune system that make infection easier

A cold on the lip in children happens quite often, because the virus after the initial infection lives forever, being in a dormant mode until the moment of provocation, that is, until the immunity decreases. Poor immune function can be contributed by:

overwork;

overheating;

hypothermia;

radiation therapy;

taking hormonal medications.

After a decrease in immunity, the virus comes out of the dormant state and easily activates its vital activity.

Causes of the disease associated with the age of children

Herpes on the lip of a baby can form through close contact (kissing) with a virus carrier, including a mother.

In a child of 1 year of age, the infection most often manifests itself in the corners of the lips, in the cheeks and on the nose. With such manifestations, it is necessary to ensure that the virus does not enter the respiratory system through the oral cavity or through the mucous membranes of the nose. When a child is 1 year old, he likes to crawl into his mouth with his fingers, respectively, bringing an infection there.

In a child of 2 years of age, the infection easily manifests itself due to contact with a huge number of people, especially if the child is attending kindergarten. When a child is 2 years old, he can comb the infected areas and transfer the infection to other areas of the body.

A 5-year-old child, in addition to a large number of contacts, has other causes of infection. The child moves more, runs more often to the playground in the yard, and therefore the hygiene of hands and face is less traced. At 3 years old, 4 years old, as well as at 5 years old, the child still does not think about personal hygiene or about diseases of a different plan. Therefore, it is not surprising that a child often has a cold rash on his lips.

It follows that the age of the child plays a role in the causes of the manifestation of a cold on the lip, namely in the causes of the primary infection.

SYMPTOMS

Let’s list some of the main symptoms of herpes on the lips of a child:

general weakness is observed;

Strong headache;

rash on the lips causing severe itching.

Blistering eruptions with fluid gradually become more extensive (more extensive). The child complains of a burning sensation and tingling sensation. In such a situation, the baby can scratch the affected area, which makes it easy to spread the infection to any area of ​​his body. In this connection, diseases such as herpetic stomatitis and gingivitis are likely. And also problems with the respiratory system are possible. Swelling of the tonsils and tongue is likely.

Thereafter, bubble rashes begin to form in the form of pus. During this period, the child becomes very restless, often cries from pain, does not sleep well and hardly eats. Bubbles begin to burst on the third or fifth day and dry ulcers form. With the timely use of medicines, the crust tightens the ulcer. The skin will quickly renew itself after complete recovery.

Possible forms of the disease and their symptoms

Under the age of one year, babies are usually infected from their mother, if she is a virus carrier. In newborns, there are three forms of the direction of an infectious disease:

Localized. There are almost no obvious signs of the disease, except for lesions in the lips, lip cut and around the edges of the eyes. If the baby has a good immune system, then in a week the disease will pass without much effort.

Striking. An especially dangerous severe form of the disease, it is characterized by: convulsions, maximum loss of appetite. With such symptoms, the infant can have serious consequences in the form of the development of encephalitis or meningitis.

Generalized. This form of the disease is characterized by: increased body temperature and a very large number of rashes. The baby has shortness of breath, bluish discoloration of the skin (cyanosis) and frequent regurgitation. If you do not take these symptoms into account and do not start treatment in a timely manner, the liver can be significantly damaged.

Symptoms based on the age of the child

With a cold on the lip, a baby can develop serious complications, especially in the first year of life. The infectious disease progresses rapidly and, if a cold on the lips is not effectively treated in a timely manner, serious complications are likely in the form of viral hepatitis, diseases of the respiratory system, cerebral palsy, ophthalmic herpes.

In a one-year-old child, herpes on the lip most often begins to occur in the area of ​​the corners of the lips, a little less often along the entire lip cut and in the area of ​​the cheeks. Due to the fact that children constantly pull dirty hands into their mouths, the infection can penetrate and firmly base on the inner side of the cheeks and on all mucous membranes of the oral cavity. There are cases when, with herpes on the lips, sometimes the child vomits, faints and pains in the joints occur.

Between the ages of 2 and 4, when children are already in kindergarten, the possibility of infection increases significantly. The inflammatory process in the area of ​​the lymph nodes increases. At this age, children can already lucidly explain the sensations during the manifestation of herpes.

TREATMENT

If treatment of herpes on the lips in children is prescribed, then antiviral drug treatment is first carried out using Ancyclovir, which is administered intravenously. To cure rashes on the lips, it is necessary to constantly smear the lesions with Zovirax, Ancyclovir ointments, as well as tea tree oil. Regular processing is carried out at least 3 times a day, for about a week.

Before treating a cold on a child’s lip, you need to understand the baby’s immune system. With a severe form of herpes, you should immediately consult a pediatrician. It is better for the doctor to decide how to treat herpes after a medical examination. If in general the baby is healthy, then there will be no consequences from the disease.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

Up to 3 years old, parents need to carefully monitor the hygiene of the child, teach the baby to wash on his own, wash his hands thoroughly with soap and water.

In the room, carry out wet disinfection at least once a day.

Convince the baby not to touch the affected area with your fingers.

Having discovered the symptoms of herpes during pregnancy, treat in time.

Reliable protection against contact with the virus carrier – do not allow yourself or others with a relapse of herpesvirus to kiss the child.

Apply a medical bandage (mask) when a virus carrier comes into contact with a baby.

Strictly adhere to the elementary certain rules of personal hygiene and hygiene of the child.

After an illness with herpes on the lip, in order to prevent re-infection, it is necessary to seriously enough take care of the return of the child’s immunity to operation. Without fail in the daily diet should be:

all kinds of vitamins;

fresh vegetables and fruits;

all dairy products;

boiled meat and fish;

warm teas made from medicinal herbs and leaves.

It is desirable that the nursing baby feed on mother’s breast milk. Frequent walks in the fresh air are also necessary. It is necessary to protect the child’s immune system in all possible ways.

So, summing up, it is worth noting that the manifestation of herpes in children in the area of ​​the lips can speak of both serious disorders associated with the immune system, if recurrences of herpes occur frequently, and about the standard seasonal manifestation of herpes infection. It is better to start treatment after visiting a doctor, as some antiviral drugs have a peculiarity of side effects with different age restrictions.