Blisters on the Tongue in Children

When children have blisters on their tongues, the cause is usually considered to be hand, foot and mouth disease. This is a viral infection that causes blisters inside the mouth on the tongue, as well as on feet and hands.

Causes

• The cause of this virus is coxsackie A-16 virus. It is often confused with hoof and mouth disease, which animals can get, but it is unrelated.

Symptoms

• The symptoms that affect the mouth are blisters to the tongue and inside the cheeks. The blisters on the tongue are painful and sore and prevent the child from eating or drinking very well. She may also have a fever and be extremely fussy.

Contagious

• The blisters are very contagious; they spread through daycare centers, schools and families quickly. The germ is spread by saliva, nasal drainage, bowel movements, and draining from the blisters.

Treatment

• There is no treatment for blisters on the tongue, but your doctor will recommend pain medication to ease symptoms. Numbing medicine can also be used to help with eating and drinking.

Prevention/Solution

• To prevent the spread of the tongue blisters, do not allow an infected child to share eating or drinking utensils. Clean all toys after they have been used and have the child practice good hand washing, especially after a bowel movement.