Small children often have increased salivation. Abundant salivation in a child does not always indicate the presence of pathology.
Causes
Babies salivate more profusely than adults. This feature is quite physiological, in most cases it does not require treatment. All the reasons that cause increased salivation or hypersalivation in babies can be divided into physiological and pathological.
During the first year of life, profuse drooling is normal. Symptoms of hypersalivation will go away on their own, no treatment is required. Increased saliva production from 1 month of life and during the first year is the norm for all babies. The occurrence of severe salivation at an older age speaks more about the possible presence of a pathology that led to the development of this symptom.
When is it safe?
In babies at 2 months, increased salivation is often observed. This is due to the lack of teeth. This feature allows the baby to eat mother's milk. This feature is manifested in every healthy infant at a given age.
Newborn babies who are born prematurely often have increased hypersalivation. This is due to the insufficient development of the salivary glands during the period of intrauterine development. Usually, after birth, premature babies are characterized by stronger salivation than their peers who were born on time.
At 3 months old, the baby has a strong salivation as a result of the first teething.
This process is accompanied by the appearance of soreness and itching in the area of the tooth sockets, which leads to the active work of the salivary glands and increases salivation. It usually takes a long time for all teeth to fully erupt. Most often, it ends by 3-4 years.
During breastfeeding, the baby receives protective antibodies from the mother. Increased salivation is a manifestation of local immunity. This condition helps the child cope with various infections. The secretory immunoglobulins that make up saliva help prevent pathogens from entering the human body.
If a child is artificially fed, then he also develops hypersalivation quite often. Saliva contains many different enzymes that help break down proteins and carbohydrates that make up adapted nutritional mixtures. Often, the transfer to artificial feeding occurs at 4 months. At this time, the baby has the first signs of increased salivation.
When should you start worrying?
The development of increased salivation is not always safe for the baby. Often, various diseases contribute to the appearance of this symptom.
Among the most common pathological causes that lead to the development of increased salivation, one can single out:
- Inflammation of the oral mucosa. Ulcerative defects lead to increased saliva flow. With the development of stomatitis, numerous erosions and ulcers are formed in the oral cavity. This condition contributes to the production of large amounts of saliva.
- Gum disease. Inflamed mucous membranes in the area of the sockets also contribute to the spread of inflammation to the salivary glands, which begin to produce large amounts of saliva.
- Helminthic invasions. Helminths, which are found and parasitic in the body, begin to secrete numerous toxic products of their vital activity. These substances are able to enhance the formation of saliva. Most often, helminth infection occurs at the age of 8-12 years.
- Various diseases of the central nervous system. Hypersalivation often develops in babies with congenital and brain injuries. Some forms of cerebral palsy are also characterized by increased production of saliva.
- Inflammatory diseases of ENT organs. Otitis and sinusitis often cause excess saliva production.
- Taking medications. Some drugs have side effects, causing hypersalivation.
- Poisoning with toxic substances. Ingestion of mercury, lead, and various chemical pesticides contributes to the abundant formation of saliva.
- Fungal infection. The overgrowth of candida on the mucous membranes can contribute to the development of oral candidiasis in a child. This condition is accompanied by excessive salivation and secretion.
- Colds and infectious diseases. With these pathologies, abundant salivation is of an auxiliary nature. The body wants to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms in this way. Usually, with colds, there is a combination of hypersalivation with a high temperature. Catarrhal symptoms appear: runny nose, redness in the throat, cough.
- Allergies. With the development of allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, increased salivation is also observed. It most often occurs after inhalation of plant pollen or contact with pets. Many children cannot stand the flowering of meadow grasses and wildflowers.
- Traumatic injuries. As a result of falls, inflammation of the salivary glands occurs. This leads to increased secretion of saliva. Most often, this problem occurs in babies from 6 years old.
How does it manifest?
Increased salivation is characterized by excess production and secretion of saliva. In infants, food often gets on the clothes, unless special aprons or aprons are used during feedings. Babies in the first months of life often pull various objects into their mouths. Nipples and rubber toys are constantly wet as a result of profuse drooling.
Excessive saliva flow around the corners of the mouth may cause irritation or redness. If an infection gets in, inflammation can develop. If severe salivation has caused gingivitis or stomatitis, then bleeding sores appear in the oral cavity.
Food can easily injure them, leading to pain during feedings.
What to do and how to treat?
If you are going to treat increased salivation in a baby, you should find out the reason that led to the development of this symptom. If the child has worms or chronic diseases that cause hypersalivation, the child should be shown to the pediatrician. The doctor will prescribe additional examinations that will help establish an accurate diagnosis. After that, he will be able to recommend medications that will help normal saliva flow.
If salivation is insignificant, there are no other symptoms, then you can use homemade medicines... To normalize the work of the salivary glands and sanitize the oral cavity, decoctions of chamomile, sage, calendula are perfect.
For a healthy home remedy, take 1 tablespoon of chopped plant materials and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Insist for half an hour. After that, strain the resulting infusion with a sieve or through cheesecloth. Herbal gargles should be done 3 times a day.
Using herbal teas to eliminate excessive salivation is a very safe method.
However, some babies may develop an allergic reaction to herbal ingredients. In this case, you need to stop rinsing and discuss the situation with your doctor.
If the baby is constantly drooling, then you can use a special bib, which is on the neck and prevents saliva from getting on clothes. To prevent the development of redness and irritation on the baby's face, you should regularly monitor the baby and remove saliva that has got on the skin. You can also use special creams and ointments to help treat irritation.
For these purposes, the following products are suitable: Bepanten Cream, preparations of the Weleda series, Pantestin and many others. Before applying the cream, wipe the skin with a clean gauze cloth dipped in boiled water cooled to room temperature. In case of severe salivation, the child's clothes and underwear should be changed as often as possible.
Physiological reasons that contribute to the appearance of strong salivation in the baby do not require treatment and go away on their own - after a while. If pathological conditions become the cause of hypersalivation, then in order to eliminate the unfavorable symptoms, therapy of primary diseases will be required, which caused severe salivation.
You will learn more about salivation in babies in the following video.
