Apthous ulcers are "sores" which can occur on the inside surface of your cheeks, on your tongue,or in your throat.. The exact cause of apthous ulcers is
unknown. Some reports suggest that these ulcers are caused by a virus. It may also be a side effect of ddC.
Symptoms: What do I look for?
Any visible lesions or sores inside your mouth should be
reported to your doctor. If you cannot see any lesion but are experiencing pain or difficulty when swallowing, you should let your doctor know.
Can apthous ulcers be prevented?
Researchers have not yet found a way of preventing apthous ulcers.
How are apthous ulcers treated?
Whatever the cause, (and there may be more than one), most recent studies show that apthous
ulcers respond best to steroid therapy (anti-inflammatory). The types of steroids used will depend upon the number, size and location of the lesion as well the response to treatments. Topical applications
(ointments, creams, mouth-wash) are used as first-line treatments and they have few side effects. Topical applications include Flucocinomide (Lidex), Clobetasol Propionate (Temovate) and Dexamethasone elixer
(Decadron). Prednisone which is taken in pill form is prescribed if there are several major ulcers or if the response to topical treatment is poor. Because the exact cause of apthous ulcers is unknown,
apthous ulcers can be very difficult to treat. In fact, some patients may experience a relapse or recurrence of these ulcers.
References
Pederson, A. (1991)
"Are Recurrent Oral Apthous Ulcers of Viral Etiology?", Medical Hypotheses,39, 206-210.
MacPhail, LA, et al. (1992)
"Recurrent Apthous Ulcers in Association with HIV Infection", Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology,73, 283-288.
Nicolau, DP, West, TR. (1990)
"Thalidomide: Treatment of Severe Recurrent Apthous Stomatitis in Patients with AIDS", DICP, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 24, 1054-1058.
