Ulcers in 17 month old...

[facejacker]

Ok, so 17 month old DS has got 'gingivostomatisis', which is when the herpes virus (that causes cold sores) first enters the body. As a result he has chronic inflammation of his gums and multiple ulcers in his mouth which are causing him a great deal of pain, poor mite...

He's been off solid food since Thurs and even milk is making his mouth hurt. He had a temperature of 39 degrees which has abated but NOTHING seems to be helping the pain. I've tried difflam spray, anbesol, calpol, calprofen, ice etc but he still shrieks out in discomfort. Tomorrow will be day 5 and I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of multiple ulcers in toddlers, and what they did that helped.

He's dropped his day nap since it all began as the pain wakes him up, and is averaging about 8-9 hours at night (with MULTIPLE wakings) so the over-tiredness def isn't helping either. His GP is about as much use as a chocolate teapot (having prescribed ANTIBIOTICS for a VIRAL problem) and I'm just on my knees with the tiredness and wondering how I can help the poor boy...

Any ideas?

The poor little mite

I've no idea but bump, someone out there must know

My dd1 had this our gp fobbed us off and dd got poorly as wouldn't drink anything. Took her to the walk in centre at a&e and they said she couldn't be left in that much pain so gave her a special mouthwash, it cleared it up pretty quick!
My dd was about 20 months at the time and was a job getting mouthwash in her but once I showed her you get to spit it out it worked ;)

Chundle, I don't know whether DS will understand what to do with the mouthwash. I know there are special antiviral mouthwashes but scared DS will swallow. It feels so ridiculous that I have to wait out this period until they disappear- 7-14 days apparently!! He is in so much pain :(

I would take him to a walk in centre if I were you, it may be that you can dab the mouthwash onto his ulcers with a cottonwool ball or cotton bud. Good luck its bloody horrible

My DS had this when he was 2 and me and DH had it too. It is painful and hellish. We took him to a walk in centre and they said they couldn't do much but give to give him calpol and calprofen (alternate each every 2 hours as one is ibuprofen and the other is paracetamol) and also topical gtreatments like anbesol. We basically had to wait it out. Something cooling the mouth to eat maybe like cucumber or ice lollies. I sympathise it is horrible.

Nobhead, am doing all that. Almost through an entire bottle of capol and calprofen since Thurs! He literally can't put anything in his mouth without crying..

Chundle, I might try that. The only problem with them is that unless DS has a temperature, they won't see him (was in a few weeks ago cos he was convulsing and after keeping us waiting for 5 (!!) hours, sent us home cos his temperature was 'ok')... I live in the West London area-any recommendations? Or just normal a+e?

TIA x

facejacker. Chelsea and Westminster have good kids A&E i believe...St Mary's in paddington too i think.

I would go in, insist on help with the pain. Poor thing! I used to suffer with ulcers as a child (not a toddler), and even now am prone to them. Warm drinks really help me (so maybe heat the milk up if not usually hot?)otherwise very cold- so iced drinks. I'd avoid anything with tomato/citrus. anything with a bit of grain to it like soup, weetabix etc can be agony as it works its way into the sores. plain pasta might work ok with some butter?