Canker Sores
(Aphthous Ulcers)
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.
- Canker sores facts
- What are canker sores?
- What are symptoms of canker sores?
- What are the causes of canker sores?
- Are canker sores the same as fever blisters?
- What is the treatment for canker sores?
- What kind of topical medications (gels or ointments) are available for canker sores?
- Can mouthwash solutions be used with canker sores?
- What oral medications are available to help canker sores?
- What should I do if I get canker sores frequently?
- Patient Comments: Canker Sores - Oral Medications
- Patient Comments: Canker Sores - Experience
- Patient Comments: Canker Sores - Topical Medications
- Patient Comments: Canker Sores - Symptoms
- Patient Comments: Canker Sores - Effective Treatments
- Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
Canker sores facts
- Canker sores are small, painful ulcers on the inside of the mouth, lips, or throat.
- Symptoms of canker sores include small, painful crater-like ulcers.
- See a doctor if canker sores are accompanied by fever, last more than 3 weeks, or the affected individual has difficulty swallowing.
- Multiple factors may cause canker sores, including injury to the mouth, acidic or spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, stress, or autoimmune disorders.
- Canker sores are not the same thing as fever blisters (cold sores).
- Most canker sores require no treatment and resolve on their own.
- To help relieve pain and speed healing, treatments and remedies for canker sores include topical medications, mouthwashes, and over-the-counter pain medications.
- People with frequent canker sores should see their doctor to get tested for possible underlying medical conditions.
What are canker sores?
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis) are small, painful ulcers inside the mouth. They may occur on the tongue and on the inside linings of the cheeks, lips and throat. They usually appear white, gray, or yellow in color, with a red border.
Canker sores are the most common type of oral lesion, affecting about 20% of people. Women get canker sores more often than men. Canker sore susceptibility may be inherited, and the condition can run in families.
Canker sores are not the same as cold sores (fever blisters), which are an infection caused by the herpes virus and are contagious. Canker sores are not contagious and are categorized into three types:
- Minor sores measure from 3 to 10 millimeters (mm) and are the most common type of canker sore, affecting 80% to 85% of patients. Lesions last 10 to 14 days and heal without scarring.
- Major sores are larger and deeper then minor sores, have an irregular border and a diameter of greater than 10mm. These account for 10% of all canker sores. Major canker sores may take weeks to months to heal, and can leave a scar after healing.
- Herpetiform sores are characterized by large groups of multiple sores. These are small ulcers (2-3 mm) but there may be as many as 100 ulcers present at the same time. Herpetiform aphthae account for 10% of all canker sores. They tend to heal without scarring.
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