Aphthous
ulcers are extremely common, uncomfortable, generally of no
great medical significance, get better by themselves and are,
pretty much ,not amenable to any effective treatment. They are
usually found on the inside surface of the lips but also on
the inside of the mouth and on the tongue, where the make eating
particularly uncomfortable. Some sufferers will say that they
tend to be brought on by a change of diet, or stress, or when
they are “run down”. They are more common amongst younger age groups. The are not infectious. Ulcers that do not get completely better within two weeks or so should be seen by a doctor to exclude other causes of ulceration. Some of these conditions, like Crohn’s disease, can be quite severe. Some people do seem more prone to mouth ulcers than others, and, for them, life can be quite a misery at times.
The main management is the avoidance of food and drink – hot , spicy, rough, salty -that will irritate the ulcers. Applications are available from the pharmacy that can be used to coat, and slightly protect, the ulcers. In severe cases doctors can prescribe steroid-containing applications or pellets to be placed in contact with the ulcers, but even these do not effect a major quick cure. |
