Aphthous Ulcers

Basics

Description

Painful ovoid or round ulcerations on the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, or genitals:

  • Commonly referred to as “canker sores”
  • Can significantly affect the individual’s quality of life by impairing eating, swallowing, and speaking

Etiology

  • Exact cause unknown
  • Etiology likely multifactorial, several factors have been associated with their occurrence:
    • Immunologic dysfunction
    • Infection (eg, COVID-19)
    • Food hypersensitivities (eg, gluten)
    • Vitamin deficiencies (eg, vitamin D, B12, iron, folate)
    • Pregnancy and menstruation, hormonal imbalances
    • Mechanical trauma and stress
    • Genetic predisposition
    • Immunodeficiency
    • Medications such as β-blockers and NSAIDs
  • Epidemiology: Typically occurs in children and young adults, with a peak age of onset between 10 and 19 yr
    • The most common inflammatory ulcerative condition of the oral cavity, affecting 20–40% of the general population
    • More frequently occur in women and may run in families

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