| What
is Aphthous Ulcer? These
are also known as Canker Sores or recurrent aphthous stomatitis
It
is a common disorder, characterized by recurrent, painful ulceration
of the oral mucosa. It affects around 15-20% of the population.
Exact
cause of canker sores are not known. Emotional stress has been found
to precipitate attacks. Current opinion among dermatologists favours a
autoimmune mechanism in the causation whereby autoantibodies formed
against oral mucosa triggers the inflammation and ulceration
There are three main types of aphthae, the minor, the
herpetiform, the major :
Minor Aphthae:
Small, around 5-6 mm in size, rarely number more than 5 and heals in
a bout a week's time
Herpetiform Aphthae: Similar
to the monor, but grouped as in herpetic lesions. Rare type.
Major Aphthae:
Also known as Sutton's aphthae. Larger, deeper ulcers, more in
number, last for 2-3 months and heal with scarring. Very painful.
The ulcers starts with mild burning or stinging
sensation on the site and showing erythema or redness in a
localized area.
This area soon becomes greyish and the overlying mucosal
epithelium sloughs off leaving a painful ulcer.
The patient finds it difficult to tolerate hot and spicy
foods.
Recurrent attacks may be really trouble some
Tips on dealing with the aphthae
-
Take one ounce of water and dissolve the contents of one
capsule of 250 mg Tetracycline in it. Dip a wad of cotton in
it and keep the cotton pressed against the ulcer for 5-10
minutes before and after food. (Caution: Brush your teeth
well afterwards, as tertracycline can cause yellow
discoloration of the teeth!)
-
Learn to manage stress
if the recurrence is common and severe.
-
Avoid too much spicy, hot foods
-
Get good sleep.
-
Take a multivitamin mineral supplement regularly
-
In particularly resistant cases where patient get
frequent recurrences, I also recommend an oral course of
Doxycycline. Levamizole and metronidazole are also tried.
-
Though advised, I avoid using steroid oral gels to treat
the aphthae, as I have seen patients coming with deepening
of the ulcer after steroid application
|
Dr.Hanish Babu, MD
