Stomatitis (sto-muh-TY-tis) is an infection that causes painful blisters and sores inside the mouth and around the lips. It is caused by a virus (a type of germ). It is important to treat the pain so that your child can drink and does not become dehydrated. Follow these instructions to care for your child.

Controlling Pain

• Controlling your child's pain is important so that they can drink and not get dehydrated. If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give your child medicines for pain such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) and ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old. Follow the directions on the label for how much to give and how often.
• Don't give aspirin to your child or teen as it could lead to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. 
• If your health care provider prescribed any medicines, give them as directed.
• If your child is old enough to rinse their mouth without swallowing, swishing with a warm saltwater rinse (mix ½ teaspoon salt with 1 cup of warm water) can ease discomfort from mouth blisters.
• If your child has blisters on their lips, put a thin coat of Vaseline over the lips and blisters.
• Don't give foods that are spicy, salty, or acidic (like tomatoes and oranges), which can be irritating.
• Don't give hard foods (such as potato chips) that can scratch the mouth.

Preventing Dehydration

• Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids. For younger children, fill a medicine dropper with liquid or put liquid on a teaspoon and give it to them every 15 minutes or so.
• Offer water, cold foods (like ice pops), or warm, bland foods like broth.
• Ask your health care provider if you should give your child an oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte^® or a store brand).
• Keep track of how much liquid and food your child is taking and how often they pee or make wet diapers to make sure they're getting enough liquids.

Your child:

• has trouble drinking or eating, even after taking pain medicine
• is drooling 
• seems to be getting dehydrated (signs include peeing less often or having fewer wet diapers, no tears when crying, a dry or sticky mouth)

Your child:

• gets a severe headache
• becomes very fussy and cannot be comforted
• is dizzy, seems very sick, or is hard to wake
• hasn't peed (for older kids) or had a wet diaper (for babies and toddlers) in 8 hours
• has very dark pee 

How long does stomatitis last? The blisters and sores inside the mouth and around the lips can last up to 2 weeks. When they first show up, the sores are red. Then they gradually open, become yellow or gray, and develop a scab.

What other symptoms can kids with stomatitis have? Kids with stomatitis may also have a fever, headache, or sore throat, and may be fussy or tired.