Diseases of the mouth and lips in adults and children: what they are called

The mouth area is one of the most pliable and sensitive areas of the face. Since it is constantly exposed to mechanical, chemical and physical irritants, this provokes the development of local pathological processes. Moreover, many disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, immune defense mechanisms and the central nervous system can affect the condition of the skin of the face. These diseases manifest themselves in the form of redness in the mouth and nose, peeling skin, increased secretion of the sebaceous glands. The appearance of acne, boils, blisters, cracks and other elements is possible. Symptomatically, most pathologies are manifested by burning, itching, pain when touching the affected area of the skin, emotional disorders due to violation of aesthetic requirements. Sometimes a person can feel pain, weakness, discomfort in the mouth area in the absence of visible changes on the face. This may be due to incorrect functioning of the nervous system, imbalance of the chewing and facial muscles, as well as other factors.

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Diseases in the oral area are counted in hundreds of varieties and subspecies. And if you take into account rare syndromes, the number of diseases will be even greater. Therefore, it makes sense to consider only the most common pathologies according to statistics. That is, those for which people most often turn to dentists, dermatologists and cosmetologists.

Herpes on the lips (herpetic cheilitis)

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, almost all inhabitants of our planet are carriers of the herpes simplex virus. It is believed that 99.9% of people under 30 are infected with the herpes simplex virus. And only thanks to one tenth of a percent, it cannot be said that herpes has completely conquered humanity. The cause of infection is close contact with a carrier of the virus. When the pathogen enters a new organism, it can immediately cause inflammation of the lips or mucous membrane of the oral cavity. However, the virus often does not manifest itself in any way when infected. During this period, it “fixes” in its positions and waits until conditions for its activation appear. Such factors are: a sharp decrease in immunity, an imbalance of intestinal microflora, the occurrence of pathologies of other organs (diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, rheumatism, etc.).

Clinically, the reactivation of the herpes virus manifests itself mainly on the lips, which is a disease called herpetic cheilitis. In this case, blisters (vesicles) with pale yellow contents appear on the red border of the lips. The sick person experiences severe itching and pain in the area of the rash. Therefore, people often scratch the blisters, and bleeding wounds appear in their place. Even if the blisters are not injured, then after a few days they open on their own, and serous contents flow out of them. Then the liquid that has flowed out of the vesicles hardens and turns into crusts. At this stage, the cycle of rashes ends. It can be repeated every 3-4 days until the body begins to actively fight the virus.

To diagnose herpetic cheilitis, it is enough to see the clinical picture. Other instrumental and laboratory studies are aimed rather at identifying the main factor that provoked the reactivation of the virus.

Treatment of herpes of the lips involves the use of antiviral drugs of local or general action. It is recommended to use Herpevir ointment (5 times a day every 4 hours). In severe forms of the disease, it is recommended to take acyclovir drugs (Acyclovir, Valavir - take according to the instructions depending on age). Complex therapy is mandatory. If acute respiratory viral infections, flu and other acute infectious processes occur in parallel with herpes, then first of all you need to fight them. To draw up an effective treatment plan, you need to consult an infectious disease specialist. The prognosis for recovery is always favorable, most often it occurs in about 10 days. However, in the future, the likelihood of reactivation of the virus is very high. Therefore, you need to take preventive measures: monitor your immunity, lead a healthy lifestyle and follow diet and sleep patterns.

Acne (acne disease)

Quite often people face the problem of acne on the face. Most often they appear in the nasolabial triangle and chin. This is due to the fact that in this area the secretion of the sebaceous glands is more active than in other areas. At the same time, sebaceous secretion accumulates in the pores, which disrupts the metabolism in the skin tissues. A healthy person only needs to regularly perform hygienic procedures so that the skin of the face is cleansed of accumulated fat contents and other foreign substances. But if there are some disorders in the body, then not just skin care will be required, but diagnosis and treatment of the provoking pathology.

Among the risk factors, a special role is played by the imbalance in the content of hormones. Androgenic (male) hormones tend to stimulate the sebaceous glands. If the amount of hormones is constantly increased, then the secretion production will also be higher. Therefore, the pathogenesis in this case is quite simple: an increase in the level of androgens, hyperproduction of sebum, clogged pores, the appearance of conditions for the development of microorganisms, the onset of inflammation, the formation of a pimple. Thus, the cause of the disease is a microorganism (Staphylococcus aureus, etc.), and the provoking pathology is a hormonal imbalance. In women, this problem can be observed during pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, hormonal changes during puberty. In men, pathology most often occurs as a result of the intake of androgenic hormones from outside. An example is the use of steroids to increase body weight during weightlifting or bodybuilding. Also, people may experience hormonal imbalance with long-term use of glucocorticosteroids as drugs. Therefore, when taking any medications, it is necessary to consult a specialist who can individually calculate the dosage and prescribe a rational therapeutic course.

In case of acne, diagnostics and treatment are carried out in parallel. This is reasonable, because the use of professional hygiene procedures is indicated even for a healthy person. Therefore, a cosmetologist carries out a "facial skin cleansing", and at the same time, the causative agent of the disease is determined in laboratory conditions. If the cause of the disease is bacteria and antibacterial therapy has no effect, then it is worth doing a "hormonal mirror" analysis. It will show the level of the main hormones and will allow you to identify deviations in their production. Also valuable tests are an immunogram and an analysis for intestinal dysbacteriosis, which will show the level of the body's performance and will be useful in drawing up a treatment plan.

Local therapy for acne is aimed at eliminating the provoking pathology and eliminating inflammation in the mouth area. If a person is practically healthy, but has a pimple, then complex treatment is not required. However, with the pustule that has appeared, you need to be very careful with it. Trauma and self-squeezing of the pimple can lead to it being squeezed out in the "other direction". That is, the rupture of the bubble shell will occur in the direction of the subcutaneous fat, which will allow the purulent contents to enter the venous bed. Thus, there is a high probability of developing severe diseases of the central nervous system, which can lead to death. If the formed abscess is not squeezed out, but you consult a doctor, then surgical treatment will be performed by opening the pustule. This is the most reasonable treatment tactic, which almost always has a favorable prognosis.

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Demodicosis

Few people have heard of this disease, but it is very common in our country. Demodex foliculorum is a mite that lives in the ducts of the sebaceous glands and is a representative of the saprophytic microflora. That is, it can be in the body without causing any symptoms, but at a certain point, it is possible to switch to a parasitic type of existence. Demodex can be localized in any part of the skin of the body: on the scalp, in the follicles of the eyelashes, in the pores of the skin of the face and other parts of the body. Without causing any complaints, the mite can exist for years in a saprophytic state. However, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, disruption of the intestinal microflora, decreased immunity, Demodex will make itself known. Most often, it appears on the wings of the nose. In this case, the affected skin in some places becomes red, and in other areas it acquires a characteristic earthy-gray tint and begins to peel. In this case, the patient feels a tooth and a burning sensation on the nose. The use of lotions, creams, nourishing gels, frequent washing with soap do not have a positive effect. Often, such actions even worsen the situation. Due to the use of a large number of different products, the skin begins to dry out and peel even more. After some time, it becomes rough and takes on the appearance of a "lemon peel".

The pathogenesis of demodicosis is quite primitive; gastrointestinal diseases and intestinal microflora disorders cause activation of saprophytic microflora (Demodex) and allow it to lead a parasitic lifestyle. However, it is surprising how reliably the tick has adapted to life on the human body. The fact is that the tick leads an active lifestyle mainly at night. After all, at this time the owner does not carry out hygienic procedures, the epithelium of the sebaceous gland ducts is exfoliated, and the sebaceous glands continuously function. This is all that this parasite needs for a full existence.

Demodex spends most of its time deep in the sebaceous ducts. It is there where hygiene products cannot be found even with careful use. But the mite usually feeds closer to the mouths of the ducts. Therefore, the following method is a reliable diagnostic technique. At night, you need to wash your face with soap and dry your skin. After that, you should stick small pieces of transparent sticky tape (office tape) to the problem areas. It is advisable to sleep on your back so that pieces of sticky tape do not come off when rubbing your face against the pillow. During the night, Demodex will definitely come to the surface of the skin and stick to the surface of the tape. In the morning, you need to carefully tear off the sticky tape and stick it to a glass slide (an ordinary piece of glass slightly smaller than a matchbox). After that, a lab technician will evaluate the preparation under a microscope and announce the result. In addition to this method of collecting material, there are others. When performing them, a doctor or nurse scrapes off particles of keratinized skin with a spatula and transfers them to a glass slide. This manipulation is performed in the morning; you cannot wash your face before it. An eyelash is also taken for examination, on the base of which a tick may also be found.

Microscopy allows us to detect its presence, make a correct diagnosis and plan treatment.

The fight against demodicosis should begin with the correction of the intestinal microflora. For this purpose, probiotics are prescribed: Lactiale (2 capsules per day after meals), Probiz (1 capsule 2 times per day). It is recommended to consume dairy products, yoghurts in liquid form or capsules, and take multivitamin complexes. Anti-demodicosis emulsions are used locally, which contain the following: Levomycetin 1% (aimed at combating gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria), Metronidazole 1% (effective against obligate anaerobes and mites of the genus demodex folliculorum). Benzyl benzoate 10% (has a toxic effect on larvae and mature forms of the mite).

Oily substances (for example, castor oil) and various emulsifiers are used as additional ingredients. Before using the emulsion, wash your face with soap and dry it thoroughly. After that, apply the preparation to the affected areas with a clean cotton swab and wash it off after 40 minutes. After applying the medicine, there is a feeling of intense burning of the skin. It is worth saying that this is a completely normal reaction of the body, which does not carry any negative consequences. Usually, the course of therapy lasts 10 days. However, it can be extended by a dermatologist depending on the therapeutic effect obtained. There are also factory-made products for combating demodicosis. Such are the "Stop demodex" and "Demodex complex" sets. The effectiveness of these sets is manifested in each clinical case differently.

The prognosis of demodicosis depends on the speed of its diagnosis. For example, a person can fight acne for 5 years, use various anti-acne drugs, experiment with folk methods and not even suspect that he suffers from demodicosis. As a result, the affected skin will be inflamed all the time, and over time it will become rough and change its appearance. In this case, the treatment of demodicosis will most likely be very long and complicated. But if a person noted suspicious symptoms and immediately contacted a dermatologist, then the treatment of demodicosis will follow a standard course.

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Meteorological cheilitis (chapped lips)

In the autumn-winter period, there are constant changes in temperature and humidity of the environment. Due to this, the lips can be affected by wind, moisture and cold at the same time. As a result of these factors, a person may develop meteorological cheilitis. The reason for this condition is that constantly acting irritants force the body to adapt to unfavorable conditions, and this leads to a violation of local metabolism. Thus, an inflammatory process appears in the tissues of the red border of the lips and the rate of keratinization of the epithelium increases. This type of cheilitis is mainly suffered by those people who already have some skin diseases and local metabolic disorders. Another predisposing factor is the presence of dry, sensitive, thin skin. Representatives of the male sex, due to the lack of use of hygienic lipsticks and other lip care products, get sick more often than women.

Clinically, meteorological cheilitis is manifested by redness and tightness of the lips, discomfort in this area. Since the epithelium actively keratinizes, a large number of scales appear on the lips. Very often, people consciously or subconsciously bite off the horny plates and periodically injure the red border. This leads to the formation of wounds, bleeding and the appearance of blood crusts from dried blood. Constantly present dryness of the lips provokes a person to lick them, which further aggravates the situation. In this case, the appearance of the lips becomes very unattractive.

Differential diagnostics of this disease is carried out with other types of cheilitis. It should be noted that the correct collection of anamnesis plays the main role in establishing the correct diagnosis. Therefore, when talking to a doctor, it is necessary to specifically and fully explain when the complaints appeared, what they may be associated with, how they bother.

Treatment of meteorological cheilitis primarily involves minimizing the adverse effects on the lips. This can be done by using hygienic lipstick when going outside. This remedy is recommended for both men and women. However, since many women use colored lipstick, various gels and lip balms, they already play a protective role and the use of hygienic lipstick is not mandatory. Very effective medications for the treatment of meteorological cheilitis include vitamin complexes of groups A and E. They help restore the integrity of the epithelial layer of the red border of the lips, normalize keratinization processes and improve local metabolism. An example of such a drug is Radevit ointment (apply to the lips 2 times a day). Vitamins A and E also exist in capsule form, for example, Aevit (1 capsule 1 time per day for 30-40 days). After the symptoms of the disease disappear and the lips are restored, you can think about carrying out preventive procedures. They do not require taking any medications, but are usually carried out using folk methods.

To soften the lips, you can use masks made of honey, pumpkin juice, lemon balm essential oil, rose petals, etc. Recommendations that should be used to prevent lip diseases: do not bite your lips, do not lick them on the street, use only high-quality cosmetics, and follow hygiene rules.

Jam

Angular cheilitis (cheilitis) is an inflammatory process in the area of the corners of the mouth, which affects the mucous membrane and skin of the corresponding area. The causative agent of this disease is streptococcus or fungi of the genus Candida. The addition of these microorganisms is due to many factors. If oral hygiene and facial skin hygiene are not observed, food debris can accumulate in the corners of the mouth. Later, streptococci or fungi begin to multiply in these places. The disease can also be preceded by mechanical or chemical trauma to the corners of the mouth. In this case, the wound heals for a long time. This is explained by the fact that the skin in the angular area is constantly moving and stretching when opening the mouth, working the facial muscles. Also, these areas periodically come into contact with the food that a person eats. And it can be different: hot, spicy, acidic, this prevents normal epithelialization and healing of the wound. If a person has a weakened immune system, hypovitaminosis, chronic diseases of internal organs, then the saprophytic flora is sharply activated and begins to lead a parasitic lifestyle. Streptococcal angular cheilitis is most often observed in children.

The first sign of the disease is the appearance of a blister in the corner of the mouth, which quickly bursts. An erosion forms in its place and soon becomes covered with a crust. When the crust is removed, a horizontal crack can be determined on the skin, which is then covered with a crust again. Patients complain of itching, burning in the angular area, pain when opening the mouth, and increased symptoms when eating. Candidiasis differs from streptococcal not only in that it is caused by yeast-like fungi. It has a characteristic feature in the clinical course - no crust appears in the affected areas. At the same time, erosions are determined in the corners of the mouth, which can be covered with a whitish-gray coating.

The symptoms of fungal angular cheilitis are almost the same as those of streptococcal angular cheilitis. However, candidal angular cheilitis tends to become chronic, which allows it to recur after treatment. The appearance of this disease is often associated with dental pathologies. When the bite height decreases (the distance between the upper and lower jaws decreases), folds form on the skin in the area of the corners of the mouth. Food debris accumulates in these formations, which often causes the reactivation of Candida fungi. These microorganisms are very comfortable living in skin folds, so the use of antifungal drugs can eliminate the pathological process only for a short period of time.

Angular cheilitis diagnostics is based on studies of scrapings from the affected areas. In the laboratory, the preparation is analyzed and the type of microorganism that caused the angular cheilitis is determined.

Treatment of angular cheilitis is aimed primarily at combating the pathogen. If it is strectococcus, then antibacterial drugs are used (Levomekol and Methyluracil ointments, they should be applied to the affected areas in the morning and evening). If the cause of the disease is fungi, then the use of antifungal drugs is indicated (Levorin, Nystatin ointments). For effective treatment, it is necessary to eliminate all risk factors. If immunity is reduced, you should consult an immunologist and correct the body's defense system. If there are chronic systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, rheumatism), then the treatment of angular cheilitis should be carried out with the participation of an endocrinologist, therapist or other specialists, depending on the underlying pathology. If the bite height decreases, you should consult a dentist for rational prosthetics. After the installation of dentures, the skin folds will disappear, which will eliminate one of the conditions for the existence of Candida fungi in the corners of the mouth.

If all factors that contributed to the development of angulitis are eliminated, the treatment will be effective and the prognosis for complete recovery will be favorable.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis in the perioral area is quite common. The causes of this pathology are not very specific. As in the previous diseases, the occurrence of dermatitis is provoked by a decrease in the body's defenses, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and hormonal imbalance. Local risk factors are mechanical, chemical and physical effects. An example of mechanical irritation can be the use of a razor with a dull blade during shaving. As is known, a dull blade injures the skin more than a sharp one. Therefore, after this procedure, symptoms of dermatitis may occur. Chemical irritants are mainly represented by makeup and skin care products. As paradoxical as it may sound, it is the substances that are aimed at making the skin healthy and beautiful that cause the most harm to it. Of course, we are talking only about products made from low-quality ingredients. They usually have a very low cost, which attracts many buyers. However, it is much more useful to wash with regular baby soap than to use a lotion for the same price. And even better, to prepare nourishing face masks from home ingredients. They do not contain preservatives, emulsifiers and other unnecessary substances. Physical factors are represented by unfavorable weather conditions, which can manifest themselves in the form of abnormal heat or windy and rainy weather.

The first signs of dermatitis are reddening of the skin, dryness and peeling. At the same time, a person feels a burning sensation, discomfort, a feeling of tightness, sometimes a slight itch. Soon, small rashes in the form of blisters appear. They are filled with serous transparent exudate, due to which the rash has a pale yellow color. Often, rashes in the mouth area tend to be located in groups. Some blisters can turn into pustules (abscesses).

Diagnosing dermatitis is not a difficult task. But identifying the cause of its occurrence is something only experienced specialists can do. It is necessary to assess the general condition of a person, the level of performance of all body systems, identify concomitant pathologies, and analyze the composition of all cosmetics that have been used recently.

Treatment of dermatitis begins with the exclusion of all previously used skin care products. Initially, the skin may feel a certain stress from the fact that the hygiene care technique has changed dramatically. Therefore, in the first days, the condition may worsen. However, after 2-3 days, the situation improves and at this time, drug therapy is already indicated. Treatment is carried out in a comprehensive manner, with the participation of several specialists (a dermatologist and doctors who treat concomitant pathologies). Effective drugs are: Radevit, Panthenol, Pantekrem, Solcoseryl (apply ointment 2 times a day to the affected areas). Among the drugs of other groups, antihistamines are distinguished (Loratadine, Cetrin (1 tablet 1 time per day for 7 days). Phytotherapy is also appropriate (prepare chamomile infusion, wipe the face 3 times per day). Vitamins, immunomodulators, hepatoprotectors, probiotics, hormonal drugs are prescribed by an immunologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist depending on concomitant diseases.

If you have any skin disease, always consult doctors of different specialties. After all, a dermatologist cannot cure most diseases alone. Most often, the skin serves only as an indicator of a disease of the internal organs that require treatment. Therefore, carefully examine your body before starting therapy.

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Other diseases that appear in the mouth area

Many diseases can be symptomatically manifested by pain in the mouth area, although the pathological process is localized elsewhere. This is due to the fact that all pain signals from the receptors enter the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). There, data on the irritant is processed, which is accompanied by excitation of the nerve centers. With intense or prolonged pain, excitation of the nerve centers gradually increases and accumulates. Over time, excitation can move to neighboring structures of the nervous system, which are responsible for the innervation of completely different areas of the body. Thus, with prolonged pain in the back or neck, over time, similar symptoms may appear in the area of the chewing or facial muscles near the mouth. Although, when examining the facial muscles, it will be revealed that they work completely correctly and in a balanced manner. Such clinical cases are very difficult to diagnose. As a rule, a person visits dozens of clinics, consults with many doctors, however, the correct diagnosis is not always possible to find out. When visiting a doctor, it is important to tell him about other health problems. After all, pain and weakness in the facial area can be caused by many diseases of the spine, improper functioning of the muscles of the back, neck, etc. In this case, treatment will be aimed at eliminating the provoking pathology and monitoring changes in the “reflection zone”, i.e. in the facial area.

One of the unpleasant moments in the course of many diseases is the symptom of irradiation (spreading) of pain. Everyone is familiar with situations in which a tooth hurts badly, and the pain radiates to the temple, ear and other areas. This is also associated with the structure of the human nervous system. Due to abundant innervation, nerve fibers, like a network, intertwine all the structures of the body. And irritation of some nerve endings can spread to others. This syndrome is often noted in chronic diseases of the temporomandibular joint.

The first signs of the disease are a slight local pain in the joint. However, later the person begins to complain of pain when opening the mouth in the ear area, soreness in the muscles near the mouth, headache. Interestingly, in such cases people tend to consult a neurologist, psychotherapist, homeopath and other specialists, but not a dentist. This is somewhat logical, but not entirely correct.

No acupuncture, dietary supplements or homeopathic monotherapy can eliminate the inflammatory process in the joint. The therapeutic effect can only be achieved through careful diagnostics and rational drug treatment.

The listed syndromes are very difficult to diagnose. Their detection becomes a challenge even for an experienced specialist. Therefore, do not try to diagnose yourself at home and start treatment. After all, conducting high-quality treatment is the doctor's job, and performing prevention and constantly monitoring your health is the patient's task. Be healthy!