Aphthous Ulcer

Definition

Aphthous ulcers are the common problems that occur in the mouth. It is characterised by a painful oral or esophageal sore on a mucous membrane. It is a small sensitive painful ulcer of the mouth. Aphthous ulcers are also known as Canker sores. Aphthous ulcers typically last for around ten to fourten 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.

There are basically 3 types of Aphthous Ulcers:

• Major aphthous ulcers, which are large ulcers i.e. more than 10mm., that take weeks or months to heal.
• Recurrent minor aphthous ulcers, which occur in up to 80% of aphthous ulcer cases. They are usually less than 5mm in diameter and heal within 1-2 weeks.
• Herpetiform Ulcers, which are multiple pinpoint ulcers that heal within a month. commonly occurs on tounge.

Causes of Aphthous Ulcers

A mouth ulcer is a painful open sore inside the mouth caused by a break in the mucous membrane. The Possible Causes of Aphthous Ulcer includes:

• Aphthous ulcers may also be caused by a Vitamin-B deficiency.
• Bacterial infections, such as stomach ulcers caused by the bacterium, H. pylori is also one of the main cause of aphthous ulcer.
• Stress or trauma in the mouth, such as biting the tongue, is the main cause of aphthous ulcer.
• One of the main cause of Aphthous ulcers is due to Iron Deficiency.
• If you have the family history of aphthous ulcer, then there are 60% chances to get affected by aphthous ulcer.
• Such as badly fitting dentures, a graze from a harsh toothbrush, etc. may lead to aphthous ulcer.
• If there is imbalance in the production of hormones, then it may lead to aphthous ulcer.
• A reaction to some medication is a rare cause. For example, Nicorandil, anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral nicotine replacement therapy have been reported to cause mouth ulcers in some people.
• Certain inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn's disease increases the chances of occuring aphthous ulcer.
• If there is an infection of AIDS virus, it may lead to aphthous ulcer.
• The acidic foods, such as tomatoes and pineapples may increase the chances of aphthous ulcer.

Symptoms of Aphthous Ulcers

Important symptoms of aphthous ulcer includes:

• Fever may also be developed in aphthous ulcer.
• Painful sore or sores inside your mouth on your tongue, under your tongue, inside your cheeks or lips, and at the base of your gums.
• The burning or Tingling sensation are the early symptoms of aphthous ulcer.
• General discomfort or uneasiness.
• Round, white sores with a red edge can also be seen in the patient of aphthous ulcer.
• Listlessness.
• The lymph nodes will get swell.
• Skin lesion on mucous membranes of the mouth may occur, which are painful and begins as a red spot.

Treatment of Aphthous Ulcer

The main goal of treatment is to lessen the pain and discomfort they cause and promote healing of the ulcers.

• Avoid products or food mostly acidic food, that you know exacerbate ulcers.
• Improve diet or take dietary supplements of vitamins or minerals that are effective for the treatment of aphthous ulcer.
• Treatment of aphthous ulcers may include corticosteroids applied as a paste or used as a mouthwash.
• In aphthous ulcer, topical or oral tetracycline suspension may be given.
• It is used to reduce the pain, and may help ulcers to heal more quickly. A steroid lozenge works faster.
• Steroid paste is an alternative to a lozenge.
• Numbing agents such as the local anaesthetics benzocaine and lignocaine to help reduce pain.
• Antibacterial mouthwashes to reduce swelling area of the skin.
• The use of benzydamine spray, or choline salicylate gel is very beneficial for the treatment of aphthous ulcer.