Aphthous Ulcers - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Aphthous Ulcers is an open sore in the mouth, which appears as a painful white or yellow ulcer surrounded by a bright red area. They are temporary sores that may occur anywhere in the mouth except on the gums, lips, or roof of the mouth. They can occur one at a time or as a group of sores. Although these sores are not serious, other mouth sores may be. Aphthous ulcers that occur in conjunction with symptoms of uveitis, genital ulcerations, conjunctivitis, arthritis, fever or adenopathy should prompt a search for a serious etiology. Aphthous ulcers typically last for around 10-14 days and they generally heal without leaving a scar. Aphthous ulcers are single or multiple ulcers of the inside of the mouth that tend to recur. Although, lesions may affect patients at any age, but young adults are usually more succeptible to this disease. It is a blister on the mucous membranes of the lips or mouth or gastrointestinal tract. Women are more likely than men are to have recurrent aphthous ulcer.

Causes of Aphthous Ulcers

Find common causes and risk factors of Aphthous Ulcers :

• Family history.
• Nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamins B, iron, and folic acid.
• The main cause may include emotional stress and lack of sleep.
• Bacterial infections, such as stomach ulcers caused by the bacterium, H. pylori.
• Certain foods including chocolate.
• Stress or trauma in the mouth, such as biting the tongue.
• If there is an infection of AIDS virus , it may lead to aphthous ulcer.
• Such as badly fitting dentures , a graze from a harsh toothbrush and reaction to certain toothpastes .

Signs and Symptoms of Aphthous Ulcers

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sore throat.
• Abdominal pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Listlessness.

Treatment for Aphthous Ulcers

Treatment may include:

• Take pain-killing medication, such as paracetamol.
• Oral colchicine , dapsone and perhaps thalidomide are helpful if the case is severe.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Calcineurin inhibitors such as topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus.
• Prescription topical corticosteroids such as Kenalog in Orabase or Oracort are sometimes used in very painful and hard to heal ulcers.
• Calcineurin inhibitors such as topical pimecrolimus or tacrolimus.