November 7, 2024, 7:19 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Aphthae are small, sometimes very painful ulcers in the oral mucosa that can significantly impair eating and drinking. Although the causes are usually harmless, in rare cases, they can indicate serious illnesses. Read here to find out what these are – and what helps against aphthae.
Canker sores can develop in various areas of the gums and oral cavity. They most frequently form on the inside of the lips and around the tip of the tongue. The small, painful ulcers range from being quite unpleasant to very painful – the larger they are, the more discomfort they cause. FITBOOK names possible causes of aphthae, clarifies whether they are contagious, and gives tips on what you can do yourself to make them disappear – and preferably not come back at all.
Overview
Appearance and size of aphthae
Aphthae usually have a whitish center, which is surrounded by a reddish inflammatory halo. Most aphthae have a diameter of between one and five millimeters, but they can also be larger: such large, severe, and particularly painful forms are called “major aphthae.” They can reach a diameter of up to three centimeters and take much longer to heal.
Why do aphthae hurt so much?
Generally speaking, the larger an aphtha, the more unpleasant it is. The pain arises because the sensitive oral mucosa has a wound. Its nerves are then exposed to external stimuli, such as acidic or spicy foods. The friction that occurs when speaking, chewing, and swallowing also irritates the aphthae and makes the whole thing painful.
Possible causes
Aphthae can have a wide variety of mostly harmless causes. As a rule, they are stress-triggered, although hormone fluctuations and various illnesses also cause stress for the body. People with an immune deficiency or a lack of nutrients are particularly frequently affected. Sometimes, however, it is also a matter of intolerance reactions to food or care additives. Injuries to the mouth can also promote the formation of aphthae. Similar to herpes, the unpleasant mucosal reactions can accompany a bacterial or viral infection, and indeed also a herpes disease.
In rare cases, aphthae can indicate serious illnesses
In rare cases, aphthae can also indicate more serious illnesses. If they occur extremely frequently or in large numbers, they may indicate a more serious condition. For example, chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or coeliac disease. In chronic intestinal diseases, inflammatory processes are often active in the body, which can also affect the mucous membranes in the mouth. These inflammations can lead to the formation of aphthae.
In some cases, aphthae can also be an indicator of HIV infection: The human immunodeficiency virus impairs the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to various infections and inflammations. In addition, permanent mucosal defects can also be an indication of cancer in the mouth or a comparable malignant process.
Are aphthae contagious?
Although aphthae can result from a bacterial or viral infection, the small ulcers themselves are not contagious, according to current knowledge. This means that they cannot be transmitted by kissing, sharing cutlery, or other close contact.
Caution: risk of confusion! Aphthae can easily be confused with cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are indeed contagious.
What do you do if you keep getting them?
If you repeatedly have to deal with aphthae or aphthae-like symptoms, a blood or intestinal examination or the taking of a tissue sample (biopsy) is recommended, depending on the suspicion.
Do aphthae disappear by themselves?
Aphthae usually disappear by themselves within a few days. During this time, it is important not to provoke pain unnecessarily and to avoid very spicy or acidic foods.
Home remedies that can help against aphthae
Antibacterial measures are generally advisable. These include:
- Mouth rinses with tea tree oil: up to ten drops in a glass of water and rinse with it
- Chilled tea bags made from black or green tea: prepare the tea as usual, allow the bags to cool, and place them on the sore
- Sage and chamomile tea are anti-inflammatory: simply rinse your mouth with cooled tea
- Mouthwash with a teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of warm water
- Tinctures, for example, from clove
- Mouthwashes with the active ingredient chlorhexidine
- For severe symptoms: pain-relieving gel, for example, a topical anesthetic preparation containing lidocaine from the pharmacy
What if aphthae don’t go away?
If aphthae persist and are very painful, a dentist or dermatologist should examine the area and, if necessary, prescribe a cortisone cream for topical application. In particularly severe cases, the specialist can inject the active ingredient.
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What else those affected should consider
Nevertheless, oral hygiene is particularly important for those affected so that no further germs can spread and hinder the healing process and/or cause new infections in the affected area of the mouth.
FITBOOK received expert advice from the Munich dermatologist Dr. Timm Golüke.