Introduction
Mouth rot in babies is triggered by herpes viruses just like in adults. It is a highly contagious disease that affects the mucous membrane of the mouth, where it forms small blisters and ulcers. After the blisters burst open, white-yellowish wounds appear, which are very painful. This open wound healing causes the very typical putrid smell in babies. Often the disease is accompanied by fatigue and loss of appetite due to the pain that occurs when the blisters are touched.
Symptoms
Just like with adults, babies and small children also show the very typical symptoms of mouth rot. The difference is, however, that these are much more pronounced in babies. If your baby suffers from the typical symptoms, you should go directly to the doctor so that an exact diagnosis can be made and the therapy is not unnecessarily prolonged.
- At the beginning of the disease, the typical whitish-yellow blisters form after unspecific fever attacks, which burst open after a few days. These are mainly located on the tongue, palate and gums, while the rest of the oral mucosa is reddened and burns strongly.
- After the blisters have burst and given off their secretion, reddish ulcers remain, which can become encrusted over time. Salivation is increased and food intake is often refused.
- Furthermore, the babies develop a very unpleasant, sour, partly foul bad breath.
- Externally, the neck lymph nodes may be swollen and painful to touch.
- But general symptoms also occur: Fatigue and an increased tendency to cry out are often accompanied by additional infections of the respiratory tract.
In addition to the typical blisters that occur throughout the mouth, other symptoms also occur on the tongue.
Also the papillae of the tongue on which the taste buds are located inflame and small white spots on the tongue become visible. This causes very strong, burning pain, which makes it difficult or even impossible to eat. Maximum cold, liquid foods are then still bearable and can be consumed.
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