232 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
SORES OR CRACKS AT THE CORNERS OF THE MOUTH
Narrow sores at the corners of children’s
mouths are often a sign of malnutrition.
Children with these sores should eat foods rich
in vitamins and proteins: like milk, meat, fish, nuts,
eggs, fruits, and green vegetables.
WHITE PATCHES OR SPOTS IN THE MOUTH
The tongue is coated with white ‘fur’. Many illnesses
cause a white or yellowish coating on the tongue and roof of
the mouth. This is common when there is a fever. Although
this coating is not serious, it helps to rinse the mouth with
a solution of warm water with salt and bicarbonate of soda
several times a day.
Tiny white spots, like salt grains, in the mouth of a child
with fever may be an early sign of measles (p. 311).
Thrush: small white patches on the inside of the mouth
and tongue that look like milk curds stuck to raw meat. They
are caused by a fungus or yeast infection called moniliasis
(see p. 242). Thrush is common in newborn babies, in
persons with HIV, and in persons using certain antibiotics,
especially tetracycline or ampicillin.
Unless it is very important to keep taking the antibiotic,
stop taking it. Use nystatin (p. 372) or paint the inside of
the mouth with gentian violet. Eating yogurt may also help.
In very severe cases, or if thrush moves into the throat
and makes it hard to swallow, consult a health worker. A
stronger medicine may be needed.
Canker sores: small, white, painful spots inside the
lip or mouth. May appear after fever or stress (worry). In
1 to 3 weeks they go away. Rinse mouth with salt water.
Antibiotics do not help.
COLD SORES AND FEVER BLISTERS
Small painful blisters on lips (or genitals) that break and form scabs. May appear
after fever or stress. Caused by a herpes virus. They heal after 1 or 2 weeks. Holding
ice on the sores for several minutes, several times a day may help them to heal faster.
Putting alum, camphor, or bitter plant juices (such as Cardon cactus, p. 13) on them
may help. Taking acyclovir (p. 373) can make cold sores less painful. For information
about herpes on the genitals, see p. 402.
For more information on caring for the teeth and gums, see Where There Is No
Dentist, also available from Hesperian.