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{{Aphthous ulcer (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Aphthous ulcer|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Aphthous ulcer|here]]'''
{{Infobox_Disease |
{{Infobox_Disease |
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eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|derm|486}} {{eMedicine2|ped|2672}} |
eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|derm|486}} {{eMedicine2|ped|2672}} |
}}
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editors-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer, [[Taylor Palmieri|Taylor Palmieri, B.A.]] [mailto:tpalmieri@perfuse.org]
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editors-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer, [[Taylor Palmieri|Taylor Palmieri, B.A.]] [mailto:tpalmieri@perfuse.org]


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[[Pain]] decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks. Particularly large [[ulcers]] (greater than 1 cm in diameter) often take longer to heal (2 to 4 weeks). Occasionally, a severe occurrence may be accompanied by nonspecific [[symptoms]] of [[illness]], such as [[fever]]. [[Canker sores]] often return.
[[Pain]] decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks. Particularly large [[ulcers]] (greater than 1 cm in diameter) often take longer to heal (2 to 4 weeks). Occasionally, a severe occurrence may be accompanied by nonspecific [[symptoms]] of [[illness]], such as [[fever]]. [[Canker sores]] often return.


==What are the causes of Aphthous ulcers?==
==What causes Aphthous ulcer?==
[[Aphthous ulcers]] may be linked to problems with the body's immune (defense) system. The sores may occur after a mouth injury due to dental work, aggressive tooth cleaning, or biting the [[tongue]] or [[cheek]].
[[Aphthous ulcers]] may be linked to problems with the body's immune (defense) system. The sores may occur after a mouth injury due to dental work, aggressive tooth cleaning, or biting the [[tongue]] or [[cheek]].
They can also be triggered by emotional [[stress]], dietary deficiencies (especially [[iron]], [[folic acid]], or [[vitamin B-12]]), [[menstrual periods]], hormonal changes, [[food allergies]], and similar situations. They occur most commonly with [[viral infections]]. In some cases, the cause can not be identified.
They can also be triggered by emotional [[stress]], dietary deficiencies (especially [[iron]], [[folic acid]], or [[vitamin B-12]]), [[menstrual periods]], hormonal changes, [[food allergies]], and similar situations. They occur most commonly with [[viral infections]]. In some cases, the cause can not be identified.
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[[Aphthous ulcers]] can run in families.
[[Aphthous ulcers]] can run in families.


==How to know you have an Aphthous ulcer?==
==Diagnosis==
Your health care provider can often make the [[diagnosis]] by looking at the sore. If [[Aphthous ulcers]] persist or continue to return, tests should be done to rule out other causes, such as [[erythema multiforme]], drug allergies, [[herpes]] infection, bullous lichen planus, and other disorders.
Your health care provider can often make the [[diagnosis]] by looking at the sore. If [[Aphthous ulcers]] persist or continue to return, tests should be done to rule out other causes, such as [[erythema multiforme]], drug allergies, [[herpes]] infection, bullous lichen planus, and other disorders.
[[Aphthous ulcers]] are not [[cancer]] and do not cause [[cancer]]. There are types of [[cancer]], however, that may first appear as a [[mouth ulcer]] that does not heal. [[Squamous cell carcinoma]] is an example of this type of [[cancer]].
[[Aphthous ulcers]] are not [[cancer]] and do not cause [[cancer]]. There are types of [[cancer]], however, that may first appear as a [[mouth ulcer]] that does not heal. [[Squamous cell carcinoma]] is an example of this type of [[cancer]].
A [[biopsy]] may be used to distinguish an [[Aphthous ulcer]] from other causes of [[mouth ulcers]].
A [[biopsy]] may be used to distinguish an [[Aphthous ulcer]] from other causes of [[mouth ulcers]].


==When to seek urgent medical care==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if [[symptoms]] of [[canker sores]] persist or worsen, or [[canker sores]] recur more often than 2 or 3 times per year. If you have a [[mouth ulcer]] that lasts more that 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out possible [[cancer]].
Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if [[symptoms]] of [[canker sores]] persist or worsen, or [[canker sores]] recur more often than 2 or 3 times per year. If you have a [[mouth ulcer]] that lasts more that 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out possible [[cancer]].
Call your health care provider if [[symptoms]] are associated with other problems such as [[fever]], [[diarrhea]], [[headache]], or [[skin rash]].
Call your health care provider if [[symptoms]] are associated with other problems such as [[fever]], [[diarrhea]], [[headache]], or [[skin rash]].
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[[Herpetic stomatitis]]
[[Herpetic stomatitis]]


==Where to find medical care for Aphthous ulcers==
==Where to find medical care for Aphthous ulcer?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Aphthous ulcer}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Aphthous ulcers]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Aphthous ulcer}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Aphthous ulcer]
 
==Prevention of Aphthous ulcers==
==Prevention of Aphthous ulcers==
The best way to prevent [[Aphthous ulcers]] is to keep your [[mouth]] free of [[infection]]. This includes brushing and flossing your [[teeth]], keeping your hands out of your mouth and visiting the [[dentist]] for regular cleanings.
The best way to prevent [[Aphthous ulcers]] is to keep your [[mouth]] free of [[infection]]. This includes brushing and flossing your [[teeth]], keeping your hands out of your mouth and visiting the [[dentist]] for regular cleanings.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
[[Aphthous ulcers]] usually heal on their own. The [[pain]] usually decreases in a few days. Other [[symptoms]] disappear in 10 to 14 days.
[[Aphthous ulcers]] usually heal on their own. The [[pain]] usually decreases in a few days. Other [[symptoms]] disappear in 10 to 14 days.


==Sources==
==Possible complications==
Antibiotic treatment for canker sores may lead to oral thrush (a type of mouth infection) or other Candida infections. Rarely, bacterial infections such as [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000855.htm cellulitis] and [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001047.htm Ludwig's angina] may occur.Canker sores are not cancer and don't lead to cancer. But if you have a mouth ulcer lasts more that 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out possible cancer.==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000998.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000998.htm



Revision as of 14:38, 3 August 2011

Aphthous ulcer

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Aphthous ulcer?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Aphthous ulcer On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Aphthous ulcer

Videos on Aphthous ulcer

FDA on Aphthous ulcer

CDC on Aphthous ulcer

Aphthous ulcer in the news

Blogs on Aphthous ulcer

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aphthous ulcer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Aphthous ulcer

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Aphthous ulcer
ICD-10 K12.0
ICD-9 528.2
MedlinePlus 000998
eMedicine ent/700  derm/486 ped/2672

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editors-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer, Taylor Palmieri, B.A. [2]

Overview

An aphthous ulcer, more commonly known as a canker sore, is a painful, open sore in the mouth. Canker sores are white or yellow and surrounded by a bright red area. They are benign (not cancer) and usually appear on the inner surface of the cheeks and lips, tongue, soft palate, and the base of the gums.

What are the symptoms of Aphthous ulcers?

The first symptom is usually a tingling or burning sensation that you feel before other symptoms develop. The following symptoms may then occur:

  • Painful, red spot or bump that develops into an open ulcer
    • Center is colored white or yellow
    • Usually small (under 1 cm) but occasionally larger
    • Single bump or group of bumps (crops)
  • Sore may turn gray just before starting to heal

Less common symptoms include:

Pain decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks. Particularly large ulcers (greater than 1 cm in diameter) often take longer to heal (2 to 4 weeks). Occasionally, a severe occurrence may be accompanied by nonspecific symptoms of illness, such as fever. Canker sores often return.

What causes Aphthous ulcer?

Aphthous ulcers may be linked to problems with the body's immune (defense) system. The sores may occur after a mouth injury due to dental work, aggressive tooth cleaning, or biting the tongue or cheek. They can also be triggered by emotional stress, dietary deficiencies (especially iron, folic acid, or vitamin B-12), menstrual periods, hormonal changes, food allergies, and similar situations. They occur most commonly with viral infections. In some cases, the cause can not be identified.

Who is at highest risk?

Aphthous ulcers are a common form of mouth ulcer. They occur in women more often than men. They may occur at any age, but usually first appear between the ages of 10 and 40. Aphthous ulcers can run in families.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider can often make the diagnosis by looking at the sore. If Aphthous ulcers persist or continue to return, tests should be done to rule out other causes, such as erythema multiforme, drug allergies, herpes infection, bullous lichen planus, and other disorders. Aphthous ulcers are not cancer and do not cause cancer. There are types of cancer, however, that may first appear as a mouth ulcer that does not heal. Squamous cell carcinoma is an example of this type of cancer. A biopsy may be used to distinguish an Aphthous ulcer from other causes of mouth ulcers.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if symptoms of canker sores persist or worsen, or canker sores recur more often than 2 or 3 times per year. If you have a mouth ulcer that lasts more that 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out possible cancer. Call your health care provider if symptoms are associated with other problems such as fever, diarrhea, headache, or skin rash.

Treatment options

Treatment is usually not necessary. In most cases, the sores go away by themselves. If you have an Aphthous ulcer, you should not eat hot or spicy foods, which can cause pain. Mild, over-the-counter mouth washes or salt water may help. There are over-the-counter medicines that soothe the painful area. These medicines are applied directly to the sore area of the mouth. The easiest home remedy is a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water. Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture directly to the canker sore. Then, dab a small amount of Milk of Magnesia on the canker sore, three to four times a day. This is soothing and may also help it heal. Another home remedy is to mix half Milk of Magnesia and half Benadryl liquid allergy medicine. Swish this mixture in your mouth for about 1 minutes, then spit it out. Other treatments for more severe cases include applying fluocinonide gel (Lidex) or chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash. Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids are sometimes used. To prevent bacterial infection, brush and floss your teeth regularly and visit the dentist for routine care.

Diseases with similar symptoms

Herpetic stomatitis

Where to find medical care for Aphthous ulcer?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Aphthous ulcer

Prevention of Aphthous ulcers

The best way to prevent Aphthous ulcers is to keep your mouth free of infection. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth, keeping your hands out of your mouth and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Aphthous ulcers usually heal on their own. The pain usually decreases in a few days. Other symptoms disappear in 10 to 14 days.

Possible complications

Antibiotic treatment for canker sores may lead to oral thrush (a type of mouth infection) or other Candida infections. Rarely, bacterial infections such as cellulitis and Ludwig's angina may occur.Canker sores are not cancer and don't lead to cancer. But if you have a mouth ulcer lasts more that 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to rule out possible cancer.==Sources== http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000998.htm

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