Allergic stomatitis

The most common complaints of patients diagnosed with allergic stomatitis are swelling of the soft tissues in the oral cavity (tongue, palate, etc.). Due to severe swelling, it becomes more difficult for a person to swallow, the enlarged tongue does not fit in the oral cavity, which is why patients often bite it.

The disease usually occurs as a result of a general allergic reaction. Allergy makes the body extremely sensitive, which causes symptoms characteristic of stomatitis. Most often, allergic stomatitis is a reaction to medications (antibiotics, sulfonamides). Usually, in this case, the allergy develops slowly, i.e. the first symptoms appear 20 days after taking the medications. Also, allergic stomatitis can be provoked by some foods, this is usually observed in small children. Direct contact with an allergen (plastic dentures, special alloys) can cause an allergic reaction in the oral cavity.

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Causes of allergic stomatitis

Allergic reactions in humans can appear at any age, even if no similar reactions to pollen, plants, medications, etc. have been observed before. The manifestation of such reactions can be associated with genetic changes in the body, failures in the immune system. Blood cells responsible for the formation of antibodies to various pathogenic bacteria and viruses, at a certain point begin to react to the substance that has entered the body as an "enemy", as a result of which a typical allergy appears.

At a certain point, a product that is familiar to a person (honey, chamomile tea) can become a strong allergen that causes a severe reaction of the body. It has now been established that about 1/3 of the world's population suffers from severe manifestations of allergies. About 20% of all allergic rashes are observed in the oral mucosa, when allergic stomatitis appears.

The causes of allergic stomatitis are conventionally divided into two groups: substances that enter the body and substances that come into contact with the oral mucosa. Substances that enter the body include medications, mold, pollen, etc., while substances that come into contact with the mucosa include various objects that directly affect the mucosa, thereby causing irritation. Dentures made of low-quality materials are a fairly common cause of allergic reactions in the mouth. In addition to low-quality materials, the cause of the disease can be bacteria and their waste products, which accumulate in the denture bed and irritate the delicate mucosa. Small cracks and wounds are a good environment for the life of such microorganisms. Allergic contact stomatitis can also be provoked by medications that are used during dental treatment or that need to be dissolved.

Substances that enter the body can cause a specific immune response, which will manifest itself in the form of rashes, itching, burning on soft tissues and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. The immune system can thus react not only to antibiotics or strong drugs, a reaction to any other medications, including antihistamines, is quite possible. Also, rashes can be provoked by various factors - ecology, hormonal imbalance, etc.

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Symptoms of allergic stomatitis

If allergic stomatitis is caused by medications, the symptoms of the disease are quite varied. Usually, patients complain of burning, itching, dry mouth, pain during meals. Visual examination of the oral cavity can show severe redness and swelling. Swelling can affect the membrane of the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, palate. One of the characteristic features of allergic stomatitis is a smooth and shiny tongue with slight swelling. Such changes can also occur on the lips.

A common symptom of the disease is vesicular lesions of the oral mucosa, which eventually burst and ulcers appear in their place, which can merge with each other, forming fairly large foci of inflammation.

When the body reacts to tetracycline, a white or brownish coating may appear on the tongue, and painful deep cracks may appear in the corners of the lips.

Allergic stomatitis can develop after a visit to the dentist, when preparations for treating carious cavities, hemostatic, whitening gels, etc. accidentally come into contact with the mucous membrane.

A widespread form of allergic stomatitis is the contact form of allergic stomatitis, which develops as a result of prolonged exposure of the mucous membrane and gums to polymer removable dentures.

Allergic stomatitis in children

The oral cavity is connected to the internal organs (the digestive system, lungs, etc.) and is designed to humidify incoming air, protect against various pathogenic microorganisms and other adverse environmental effects. The oral mucosa is renewed fairly quickly, in the human body it is responsible for many functions: taste, protection from external factors, salivation, etc. The normal functioning of the oral cavity can be disrupted by various diseases, poor nutrition, overheating, medications, etc., which will eventually lead to the development of a disease, to which small children are especially susceptible.

Allergic stomatitis in childhood, as a rule, is not an independent disease, it is a symptom of a general allergic reaction of the body to an irritant (food, medicine, etc.). Children with a predisposition to allergic reactions are prone to the disease. In some cases, allergic stomatitis in children develops as a result of contact of the mucous membrane with dental materials (fillings), braces. Quite often, allergic stomatitis in childhood develops due to carious teeth.

At the initial stage of the disease, the child may complain of pain in the mouth (itching, burning). Swelling of the tongue, lips, and cheeks may appear. In some cases, plaque appears in the oral cavity, more often on the tongue, a sour smell from the mouth appears, and salivation increases.

In childhood, stomatitis can develop limited or extensively (throughout the entire oral cavity). If the entire mucous membrane in the mouth is affected, longer treatment will be required, especially if the child's immunity is weakened.

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Allergic stomatitis in adults

The most common complaints of patients with allergic stomatitis are swelling in the oral cavity (lips, pharynx, tongue, cheeks, palate). Swallowing is difficult due to swelling, patients often bite soft tissues in the mouth (tongue, cheeks). Allergy is the main cause of the disease, it increases the body's sensitivity to the irritant, which is manifested by the signs characteristic of stomatitis. Often, allergic stomatitis is a reaction to medications, in some cases, the development of the disease can begin 15-20 days after taking medications (usually sulfonamides).

There are frequent cases of allergic reactions on the oral mucosa due to food products, various irritants in the oral cavity (dentures, crowns, etc.). Allergic stomatitis can be provoked by alloys such as cobalt, gold, chromium, and acrylic plastics.

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Diagnosis of allergic stomatitis

Diagnosis of patients suspected of having allergic stomatitis begins first with identifying the allergy and factors that could have provoked it (bronchial asthma, chronic diseases, urticaria, heredity, etc.). Digestive system diseases, menopause in women, endocrine dysfunction, and helminthiasis are also taken into account. Particular attention is paid to existing dentures and the period of their wearing.

During the examination, the doctor first of all notes the moisture content of the oral cavity, the type of saliva (liquid, foamy, etc.). As can be seen from observations, the type of saliva depends on existing diseases of the salivary glands, wearing dentures, taking medications. If there is an allergic reaction to dentures, it is recommended to exclude their use for several days, usually after the denture stops interacting with the oral mucosa, salivation returns to normal, foam disappears, the general condition of the oral cavity improves. When examining dentures, attention should be paid to the materials used in their manufacture (gold, chrome-cobalt, alloys, plastics, stainless steel, etc.), existing pores, length, number of solders, change in shade.

The main direction in diagnostics of allergic reactions in the oral cavity is the identification of the allergen, the background disease. The determining factor in diagnostics of allergic stomatitis is the patient's past diseases, complaints, and the general clinical picture.

Assessing the quality and accuracy of manufacturing dentures allows us to establish the cause of inflammation of the oral cavity (mechanical, toxic-chemical, etc.). Mechanical irritation is caused by too sharp and long edges of dentures, rough surface of the inner part, altered base, incorrect distribution of pressure on some areas of the denture bed, as a result of inaccurate removal of impressions, etc.

Visual examination of the oral cavity reveals focal lesions or extensive inflammation (the absence of inflammatory processes is also possible). Lesions of the oral cavity in some places (focal) are mainly caused by mechanical impact, trauma, etc. If inflammation is observed throughout the mucous membrane, then in this case we are talking about the general reaction of the body to the irritant. In the absence of visible signs of inflammation, the process of atrophy of the mucous membranes may have begun.

A chemical-spectral analysis of saliva for the presence of trace elements is mandatory. With an increased content of iron, copper, gold, etc. and the appearance of impurities unusual for humans (cadmium, lead, titanium, etc.), an electrochemical process begins in the body.

Among the diagnostic tests and examinations that are prescribed to patients with suspected allergic stomatitis, the following are distinguished:

• a blood test, which is taken first without the prosthesis, then after 2 hours of wearing the denture;
• a test with the removal of a denture. The denture is removed from the oral cavity for several days, after which the patient's condition usually improves;
• A provocative test is performed after a test with the removal of the prosthesis, when it is reintroduced into use; if all clinical manifestations resume, the reaction is considered positive.
• scarification-film test, which is safe and easy to perform. This test allows you to determine the body's reaction to salts (alcohol saline solutions are applied to the scratch, which are then covered with a film-forming composition, after 2 days the reaction is assessed);
• The leukopenic test is determined by analyzing the blood from a finger, the level of leukocytes without dentures in the oral cavity (in the morning, on an empty stomach), then after three hours of wearing the denture, the blood is taken again and the results are compared. If the level of leukocytes has decreased, this may indicate sensitivity to plastic. The test should not be performed during an exacerbation of an allergic reaction, high temperature.
• chemical silvering test of the surface of an acrylic denture. The reaction to the test will be positive, in case of disappearance (or significant reduction) of unpleasant sensations in the oral cavity, usually the condition of the denture bed also normalizes.
• salivary enzyme activity test (toxic reactions to acrylic increase activity by 2-4 times).

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Treatment of allergic stomatitis

In conditions such as allergic stomatitis, complex treatment is necessary. If a reaction to dentures occurs, the allergen should be eliminated (i.e. stop wearing the denture), and measures should be taken to prevent the development of the disease in the future (replace the denture). The patient should follow a diet that includes the required amount of microelements and vitamins, and completely exclude spicy, salty, sour foods and products that provoke allergies (eggs, coffee, strawberries, citrus fruits, etc.). You should also stop drinking mineral water.

The main principle of treating allergic stomatitis is to eliminate contact or consumption of the allergen as quickly as possible. In case of various unpleasant sensations in the oral cavity (itching, burning, pain, swelling, redness, rashes, etc.), you need to see a dentist who will help determine the cause of irritation, prescribe effective treatment, and, if necessary, refer you to other specialists (endocrinologist, therapist, etc.).

Usually, antihistamines (clarotadine, suprasin, fenistil, etc.) are used in the treatment of allergic stomatitis together with vitamins of group B, C, PP, folic acid. Inflamed areas of the oral mucosa are treated with antiseptic, pain-relieving, healing solutions and agents (actovegin, kamistad, sea buckthorn oil, etc.).

Treatment of allergic stomatitis in children

Allergic stomatitis in children, as well as in adults, is usually a general reaction of the body to an allergen. Irritation in the oral cavity is the result of the interaction of the body's antibodies with allergic particles. Treatment should be aimed at quickly identifying the allergen and eliminating it. In case of drug allergy, you should exclude taking the drug, in case of allergy to certain foods - exclude the use of these foods, in case of the body's reaction to the composition of fillings - you should contact a dentist and replace the filling.

The oral cavity should be rinsed with special antiseptics, preferably with an analgesic effect (lysozyme, urotropin with novocaine, etc.). Ulcers can be cauterized with aniline dyes or a mixture of antibiotics with vitamin B1 is applied.

Treatment of allergic stomatitis in adults

Treatment of allergic stomatitis is primarily aimed at eliminating the factors that provoke allergies. Hyposensitizing agents (reducing the body's sensitivity to the allergen) are often used in treatment. In cases where stomatitis has progressed to a more severe form, inpatient treatment and drip administration of special drugs are recommended. During treatment, it is necessary to maintain oral hygiene at a high level, rinse after each meal. Nutrition is also of great importance. During the treatment period, you should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, salty, spicy and sour foods and dishes, since such food provokes even more irritation in the oral cavity.

Allergic stomatitis is accompanied by severe lesions of the oral mucosa. In this case, to alleviate the condition, you can supplement the main treatment with effective folk methods that will help speed up the healing and tissue regeneration process. Aloe or Kalanchoe juice has good healing properties, so it is recommended to lubricate the inflamed areas in the mouth with the juice of the plant, and rinsing with solutions containing such plants will help reduce inflammation. Some specialists even advise their patients to sometimes chew aloe leaves.

Raw potatoes also have a good anti-inflammatory effect. Potato juice or a gruel from it (grate on a fine grater) should be applied to the affected areas of the mucous membrane for some time.

Rinsing with cabbage or carrot juice (diluted 1:1 with water) helps to get rid of pain and discomfort.

Garlic has an antiviral and healing effect; to treat stomatitis in adults, grated or pressed garlic is diluted with yogurt (curdled milk). The heated mixture is evenly distributed throughout the oral cavity using the tongue and held for some time. The procedure can be performed once a day.

Propolis is known for its medicinal properties. Propolis tincture can be used from the first days of the disease. Before using the product, the inflamed areas are washed with hydrogen peroxide, dried a little, then a few drops of tincture are applied, and dried again to form a film.

Chamomile has good antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, so for stomatitis it is good to rinse your mouth with an infusion of this plant (200 ml of boiling water, 2 tablespoons of chamomile, leave for 20-25 minutes).

Sea buckthorn oil is known for its wound healing properties; in case of stomatitis, it is recommended to lubricate mouth ulcers with this oil, this will promote tissue regeneration and faster healing.

Prevention of allergic stomatitis

Preventive measures for a tendency to allergic stomatitis include good oral care. Caries, gum disease, etc. must be treated promptly. Regular visits to the dentist are necessary for preventive purposes (removal of various deposits, adjustment of uncomfortable dentures, polishing of sharp edges of crowns, etc.).

Proper, nutritious nutrition is also a good way to prevent allergic reactions. Allergenic foods should be excluded from the diet. A healthy lifestyle also significantly reduces the risk of developing allergic reactions, since allergies often appear as a result of malfunctions in the body. First of all, you need to give up smoking, since nicotine is extremely harmful not only for the oral mucosa, but also for the entire body as a whole.

Allergic stomatitis is a rather dangerous disease, which, if ignored or treated incorrectly, can lead to severe damage to the oral cavity. The disease is cured quite quickly at the initial stage (in about 2 weeks), more severe and advanced cases may require special treatment in a hospital setting. In order not to bring yourself to such a state, it is necessary to promptly consult a specialist for advice, as well as follow the recommended preventive measures.