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Conditions & Diseases: Skin DiseasesCanker Sores (apthous ulcers or mouth ulcers)Definition: A canker sore is a small, shallow sore INSIDE the mouth. It is often red, or red and white in color. Canker sores are a form of mouth ulcers called apthous ulcers and should not be confused with cold sores which are fever blisters that usually occur OUTSIDE of the mouth. Although irritating and uncomfortable, canker sores are not harmful. They can last 10 to 14 days and heal on their own without leaving a scar.
nutritional problems, such as a deficiency in vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron; and gastrointestinal tract disease, such as the inflammatory bowel diseases celiac disease and Crohn's disease." (1) Canker sores can also be caused by hormonal changes (women report increased canker sore activity during their menstrual cycle), food allergies, biting the lip or mouth, and or emotional stress.(2) Symptoms: Canker sores usually begin as burning or tingling sensation before developing into a full ulcer. Ranging in size from 1-2 mm to 1 cm, most canker sores have a bright red, round circular border with a white, or white-gray center. In severe cases, you may also experience fever, physically dull, and swollen lymp nodes. Treatment: In most cases, canker sores go away by themselves and treatment is not necessary. However, in severe cases where mouth ulcers are larger than 1 centimeter or last longer than 3 weeks, a doctor may administer tetracycline and instruct the patient to hold it in their mouth for 2-5 minutes. [Tetracycline is only available as a treatment option for those who have lost all their baby teeth]. Besides tetracycline, severe cases may be treated by a doctor with corticosteroids, antibiotics and lidocaine. Other over the counter and home remedy treatment options which act as pain relievers, antiseptics and oral wound cleaning agents include: (3)
When using the above OTC and home remedies, it's important not to eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards in order to allow time for the treatments to work. While canker sores or mouth ulcers can't always be prevented, keeping the mouth clean through regular brushing (with a soft toothbrush) and use of antiseptic mouth wash can go a long way in the prevention, treatment of the severity of canker sores.
Article by Jason Morrow, Sources: |
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Page Last Modified:
05/04/2009