Question 1

What are aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

An aphthous ulcer is also known as a canker sore, often a painful circular lesion inside the mouth. It does not have one specific cause, but it can be brought on by many triggers such as stress, infection, vitamin deficiencies, or immune system abnormalities. Other than being painful, they are harmless and can be treated with topical oral agents.

Question 2

What are the chances i have aphthous ulcers vsherpes?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex of the mouth is a common cause of painful, recurrent ulcerations, caused by the virus, that stays indolent in the mouths/lips, and then when triggered by a 'cold' or sun or certain foods, etc, becomes an active lesion.  Aphthous ulcer is a more general term, which is associated with many different causes, but not one cause.

Question 3

Quick remedy for frequent aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

See prior answers relating to these for much more discussion. Each person usually finds that certain things trigger them, e.g. Citrus fruits, lack of sleep, weight loss, iron, vitamin B12 or Folic Acid deficiency, trauma, braces. There are some systemic diseases associated with these: crohn's, behcets, celiac disease.   Also think of hot drinks. Oragel topically or antiviral rx early on may help.

Question 4

I am getting aphthous ulcers after almost quiting smoking. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

There are so many changes going on within the cells that are exposed to smoking that it is often hard to predict what is causing what, or if there is only a temporal relationship, and not a causative association. Quit smoking entirely. And use whatever help or means you can to accomplish it.  The most important step, and the one that will probably making quitting successful is the decision to quit.

Question 5

What should i do for painful aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

See prior answers relating to these for much more discussion. Each person usually finds that certain things trigger them, e.g. Citrus fruits, lack of sleep, weight loss, iron, vitamin B12 or Folic Acid deficiency, trauma, braces. There are some systemic diseases associated with these: crohn's, behcets, celiac disease.   Also think of hot drinks. Oragel topically or antiviral rx early on may help.

Question 6

What is the definition or description of: aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Apthous ulcers affect the loose mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity (cheeks, lips, tongue, etc).  They appear as a circular white ulcer with a red halo around the edges.  The cause is unknown, but thought to be viral.  The most common type, apthous minor, lasts about 10-14 days, are painful for the first 7-10 days, and heal on their own.  There is also apthous major and herpetiform apthous.

Question 7

Are canker sores aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Both canker sores and aphthous ulcers are two names for the same lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth. Unlike cold sores which are caused by the herpes virus, they do not occur on the outside surface of your lips and are not contagious although they are painful and take from 7 to 14 days to go away.

Question 8

What is a good remedy to get rid of it or reduce the pain when you get those aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Try a product called kanka.  A generic version is also available at walgreens.  It gives almost instant relief of the pain and lasts for up to an hour.  Aside from tasting bad it is harmless.

Question 9

What should i do for painful recurrent aphthous ulcers?  any blood tests or other tests to see what is going on?

Accepted Answer

Some folks "simply get" these.  However, if there's several at once, it can warn of a low level of good neutrophil white cells.  Other entities to rule in or out based on your history are behcet's, lupus, and crohn's. A variety of remedies, from changing your toothpaste to dissolving a cortisol tablet on the lesion, are all worth trying.  The best pain relief is still viscous lidocaine.  Good luck.

Question 10

Is it any way possible to have genital aphthous ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Aphthous ulcers occur in the mouth by definition, but similar genital ulcers are possible.  They should be examined and considered in connection with your overall medical history as there are several possible causes.  Some include various infections, drug reactions or systemic inflammatory diseases such as Behcet Disease.

Vulvar aphthous ulcers

What are aphthous ulcers?

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What are the chances i have aphthous ulcers vsherpes?

Quick remedy for frequent aphthous ulcers?

I am getting aphthous ulcers after almost quiting smoking. what should i do?

What should i do for painful aphthous ulcers?

What is the definition or description of: aphthous ulcers?

Are canker sores aphthous ulcers?

What is a good remedy to get rid of it or reduce the pain when you get those aphthous ulcers?

What should i do for painful recurrent aphthous ulcers? any blood tests or other tests to see what is going on?

Is it any way possible to have genital aphthous ulcers?

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Vulvar aphthous ulcers

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