Ear infections may be divided into otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis media is the infection of the middle ear while otitis externa is the infection of the outer ear. Otitis media usually occur as a result of inflammation of the Eustachian tube due to the presence of allergic reactions, colds and throat infections hat lead to accumulation of fluid in the middle ear.

Otitis media causes the eardrum to inflame and may lead to accumulation of pus and fluid behind the area. Otitis externa is an infection that results in the inflammation and production on drainage on the outside portion of the ear canal from the eardrum up to the external ear. Otitis externa is usually experienced by swimmers because water tends to reside in the ear and cause moisture in the area. Once there is adequate moisture, bacterial and fungal infections usually set in.

Otitis Externa

Image Source: Science Photo Library

Ear infections usually may require antibiotic therapy in order to eradicate the causative microorganism. Certain home remedies are also effective in doing so and it can also help ease the discomforts of ear infections. Home remedies for ear infection include:

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very helpful in increasing the immune system. Taking vitamin C may help in reducing ear infections.

Garlic juice
Garlic has antibacterial properties that can be used to manage ear infections. Get the juice of garlic and place few drops of it on the affected ear. Make sure to maintain the head on a side position with the affected ear turned up for 5 minutes in order to prevent the garlic juice from escaping the ears.

Blow dryer
When you accidentally had water drops in your ears, especially from contaminated waters, use a blow dryer to allow the water to evaporate. Place the mouth of the blow dryer about 15 inches away from your ear and set the blow dryer in low heat in order not to burn the ears.

Olive oil
Olive oil is also an effective remedy for ear infections because of its antimicrobial properties. Place olive oil in a warm glass or spoon in order to warm the oil. Put two to three drops in your affected ear.

Mango leaf
Mango leaf may also help relieve ear infection because the juice on the leaf has also antibacterial properties. Get the juice of a young mango leaf and put three drops of it on the infected ear. Make sure to wash the leaves prior to getting the juice in order to prevent further infection.

Hydrogen peroxide
You can also use hydrogen peroxide in cleaning the ears. Dilute one part of hydrogen peroxide to two parts of sterile water. Dip a cotton bud on the mixture and use it to clean the area carefully. However, avoid using it in children.

Quit smoking
When you have an ear infection, it’s better to quit smoking or avoid smoking because it can further aggravate the infection as the smoke can pass through the Eustachian tube.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is another home remedy for ear infections. You can place two to three drops of tea tree oil in the affected ear to benefit from its antibacterial action.

These remedies can be used solely for mild infections, but it is better to consult a physician.

What is Herpetic Gingivostomatitis?

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis is the fusion of stomatitis and gingivitis or in layman’s term as the inflammation of the gingival and the oral mucosa. It is known to have lesions found in the mouth’s soft tissues and those surrounding the lips.  This kind of disease condition is caused by a virus, particularly the herpes simplex virus type 1 or otherwise called as HSV-1. You get this virus through sexually transmission via contact of the saliva of the infected person or perhaps through open lesions or non living things. In addition to that, it is known to cause blisters which are painful and ulcers in the person’s skin that surrounds the mouth area. The common persons who suffer from this disease are adults who have HSV-1. It peaks at around children who ages 2-4 years of age.

Lesions on the oral Mucosa and Lips with Gingival Inflammation

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Types

Primary Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

It affects both young adults as well as children who are in the age of 6months to 6 years old. It is far the most common of the acute form of viral infection of the person’s oral mucosa cavity. In addition to that, it is the initial form of the HSV-1 condition in children. Most often, when one is inflicted with this disease condition, will not manifest any symptoms except for cold like signs. Yet, the bad thing about this condition is that once a person has this virus inside his or her body, the virus will stay there forever. It is a transmissible kind of infection. There might be a possibility that the person develops pharngotonsillitis which has a characteristic of sore throat that is severe, vesiculo-ulcerative kind of lesions and swallowing difficulties. The healing for such will be approximately 1-2 weeks. The treatment for this kind of diagnosis is based on the symptoms that the person manifests.

Acute Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

Complications of encephalitis includes pain which spreads throughout the areas surrounding the mouth. In addition to that, there is a possibility for reinfection to occur due to the direct contact of the sun. One common symptom is the tingling sensation felt by the person who has a condition of HSV-1. In treating this disease condition, the person is given antibiotics to kill the causative virus. Aside from that, the person is advised and encouraged to increase his or her fluid intake and usage of anesthetic mouthwash or mouthwash containing baking soda.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Symptoms

The common symptoms that a person who is diagnosed with Herpetic Gingivostomatitis will manifest the following:

• Mouth blisters
• Lesions in either the tongue or mouth
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Pain in tongue or mouth
• Swelling of the lips
• Dysphagia or having difficulty in swallowing episodes
• Neck’s glands is swollen
• Soreness of the person’s throat

Lesions in the Throat of a Patient with Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

Additional symptoms may include:

• Drooling excessively
• Fever that is high
• Bad breath
• Irritable
• Headache
• Body malaise or weakness of the body
• Lympadenopathy
• Vomiting
• Fussiness especially in infants
• Infants have difficulty feeding
• Oral Rashes which may be uncommon to some
• Sleeplessness

In children, this kind of condition is misdiagnosed as the stage of the child known as teething episode or stage. It is known to be such because coincidentally, the disease appears when the child or infant is about to undergo his or her primary or first tooth eruption. The infants are at high risk for this condition because it is the time when their maternal antibody protection is lost and making them a high candidate for infection to invade such as this kind of infection cause disease.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Diagnosis

Normally, the person does not undergo test to be diagnosed with Herpetic Gingivostomatitis. Only physical examination and medical history may be required. Yet, some doctors would go about doing examinations such as:

• Biopsy Exam
• Viral Culture Exams which may be collected via fluid of the sore areas

Either of the exams both is performed by excising a small amount of tissue sample to be tested for the confirmation of Herpetic Gingivostomatitis. Sometimes, a cotton swab is rubbed on the area of the sore to be able to get cells from it and be tested for the possibility of HSV-1.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Treatment

Most often, the persons who are diagnosed with this disease does not require treatment for this condition will resolve after approximately 4-6 days. Yet, if the condition does not resolve after that, the person is prescribed with the following treatment such as:

• Oral Anesthetics such as: Anbesol, Chloraseptic, Cepacol, Orajel
• NSAIDs or Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Medications which is used to manage pain
• Antibiotic which also cleans the blisters
• Hydrogen Peroxide which is used for cleansing of the blisters
• Antiviral medications such as: Penciclovir, Famciclovir, Acyclovir

The goal of these medications is for the reduction of the symptoms associated with this disease condition. Aside from this medication it is also importantly stressed that the person has to practice good hygiene with regards to their oral health by brushing daily gently and keeping the oral system clean. Also, it is encouraged that the person consumes a diet that is nutritious and well balanced. It is suggested that the person eats bland, soft, non spicy food to be able to reduce any eating discomfort. It may also be good to offer cool drinks or foods such as gelatin, apple sauce or treats that are frozen.

The person should stay away from, as much as possible, foods that are salty or foods and beverages that are high in acid or acidic in nature. Aside from that, it is need to let the afflicted person get enough needed rest and prevent spreading the virus to others by prevention of sharing drinks, foots, unclean non living things and washing of hands. When condition seems to worsen, the doctor may do debridement of the mouth in a gentle matter. This kind of procedure is decided upon by the physician.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Pictures

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis Showing Lesions in the Tongue

Bleeding Lesions in the Lips

A Severe Form of Herpetic Gingivostomatitis of the Mouth Indicating Oral Gangrene