What does it mean when a one-year-old child likes to stick out their tongue?

A one-year-old child's habit of sticking out the tongue may be caused by physiological factors, or it could result from pathological conditions such as oral ulcers or oral herpes.

I. Physiological Factors

This behavior may occur because the child is in the oral stage of development, during which salivary glands are particularly active, leading to frequent tongue protrusion and drooling. This usually resolves naturally as the child grows older.

II. Pathological Factors

1. Oral Ulcers

The child may have developed oral ulcers, which can become irritated by food intake, stimulating the wounded oral mucosa. Treatment may include medications such as oral ulcer powder, Bingbor powder, or watermelon frost, used according to medical advice.

2. Oral Herpes

Oral herpes may result from a herpes virus infection, causing blisters that become eroded and lead to increased oral secretions. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as acyclovir granules, ganciclovir granules, or ribavirin granules may be used for treatment.

In addition, conditions such as perioral eczema could also be responsible. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate, targeted treatment.