Does my baby have an ulcer or herpes in his mouth? How to judge?

Oral ulcers are a common oral disease in children. Children may refuse to eat or drink, drool, and become irritable. This is relatively common in infants and young children. So what are the symptoms of herpes and mouth ulcers?

Different manifestations of oral ulcers and herpes

●When oral ulcers first occur, there is a tenderness or burning sensation in the mucosa, which is then gradually followed by edema, congestion and ulcers. Common ulcers are generally less than 5 mm in diameter, round or oval, surrounded by a red halo, and have a layer of white membrane (pseudomembrane) on the surface of the ulcer.

●The cause of oral herpes is viral infection, which is contagious to a certain extent. It often affects the mouth, pharynx, and even many blisters may appear on the hands and feet. Herpes initially appears as small blisters, which quickly rupture into ulcers and cause severe pain. In addition, the virus can also invade the gums, often causing redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums. Children with the disease often experience symptoms of general discomfort such as fever, irritability, and swollen lymph nodes.

What causes mouth ulcers?

(1) Genetic factors: If parents have had recurrent oral ulcers, their children will also be at a high risk of developing the disease. Studies have shown that zinc deficiency, iron deficiency, and an imbalance in the body’s immune system may be one of the causes of recurrent oral ulcers.

(2) Mental factors: Poor sleep, mood swings, mental stress, etc. can all induce oral ulcers. It should be mentioned here that doctors often find that the incidence of oral ulcers in school-age children is significantly higher than that of children at other stages. This may be related to the heavy learning tasks, fierce competition, high pressure from all aspects, and continuous mental stress of children in this age group.

(3) Bad living and eating habits: The baby’s immune system is not yet fully developed, and many babies have bad eating habits such as being picky eaters, partial eaters, liking to eat snacks, eating less staple food, and liking to eat cold drinks. These can cause the baby’s body to lack trace elements such as zinc, copper, iron, and selenium, or lack B vitamins and folic acid, which can lead to the occurrence of oral ulcers.

(4) Bad sleeping habits: Open-mouth breathing during sleep can easily cause the baby’s oral mucosa to dry out, leading to damage to the mucosa.

(5) Digestive system diseases or intestinal dysfunction: Clinical studies have found that babies with digestive tract dysfunction such as constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal distension are more likely to develop oral ulcers.

(6) Bad habits and lack of attention to oral hygiene: Long-term chronic stimulation from bad habits such as subconscious lip biting and cheek biting can induce oral ulcers. Dental problems such as tooth decay, broken teeth during tooth replacement, and uneven teeth can cause the teeth to irritate the mucous membrane and cause oral ulcers.