Aphthen
Aphthae (often incorrectly referred to as aphthae) are painful inflammations of the mucous membranes inside the mouth (e.g. gums). Almost everyone knows these unpleasant “islands” in the oral cavity, which cause pain, especially when touched. Pain and anti-inflammatory ointments or rinses (chamomile, sage) can be used for therapy.
What are aphthous ulcers?
Aphthae are painful inflammatory processes in an island-like, flat form inside the mouth. Aphthous ulcers can affect the gums as well as the palate or the edges of the tongue.
They prefer to settle on the mucous membranes. However, aphthous ulcers are sometimes also found in the genital area. It is striking that most aphthous ulcers are round and white. An unknown number of people suffer from chronically recurring aphtosis.
It is not yet known exactly what promotes the development of aphthae. Nevertheless, individual patients may notice that they get aphthous ulcers from certain foods, behaviors or toothpastes.
causes
To this day it is not known exactly what can trigger aphthae or chronically recurrent aphtosis. The cause and the reason for its formation are therefore referred to as multifactorial – this means that aphthae can arise for several reasons.The recurring aphtosis could also have genetic causes. Otherwise, one suspects more diet-related factors. Injuries, disorders in the gastrointestinal tract or bacterial infestation of the oral mucosa can also promote aphthous ulcers. Certain nutritional deficiencies and possibly hormonal influences are also believed to be triggering factors.
However, aphthae can also develop in connection with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, as a result of gastritis, celiac disease or HIV infections . Whether stress or certain ingredients in toothpaste are responsible for the development of aphthous ulcers has not yet been researched. It is interesting, however, that smokers appear to have fewer aphthous ulcers. It has not yet been clarified why aphthae occur more frequently in non-smokers.
When to the doctor?
Mouth ulcers are painful but do not necessarily require medical attention. Depending on the degree of severity and the individual pain perception, a visit to the doctor can also be dispensed with. Normally, the symptoms will be relieved within a few days. In the meantime, ensure adequate food and fluid intake. In addition, acidic foods should be avoided. When cleaning the teeth, special care must be taken so that the affected regions are not additionally damaged.
If the sensation of pain is very intense or if the aphthous ulcers in the mouth continue to spread, a doctor should be consulted. If discomfort occurs while speaking or if the areas in the mouth do not heal at an adequate rate, it is advisable to consult a doctor. If food avoidance and weight loss occur , a doctor should be consulted.
If the aphthous ulcers lead to a significant reduction in general well-being, to mood swings or to unabated crying in children, it is advisable to consult a doctor. If you have other problems with existing dentures or additional inflammation in the mouth and throat, a doctor should be consulted. If blisters form on the lips or face, it is also advisable to see a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be taken.
symptoms and course
First, small, whitish discolored aphthous ulcers form in the mouth, which usually heal after 10 to 14 days. These aphthae are called “minor form” because of their small size.
The major form of aphthous ulcers can be larger than a centimeter in diameter. The large aphthous ulcers also heal much more slowly and form scars. In addition, one still knows aphthous ulcers that occur as a result of a herpes virus disease.
If the infestation with aphthae on the mucous membranes is severe, the quality of life can be restricted by pain. In particular, eating, speaking and swallowing can be made more difficult with aphthous ulcers in the mouth.
However, the size of the aphthous ulcers is not decisive as the cause of the pain. Rather, it is the place where the aphthous ulcers form. Aphthous ulcers hurt significantly more in places where they are constantly touched.
complications
As a rule, the aphthae cause blisters and slight inflammation in the mouth. These do not necessarily lead to severe symptoms or compilations, but can limit the patient’s everyday life and greatly reduce the quality of life. Normal food and liquid intake is often no longer possible due to the aphthous ulcers, as this causes pain. This often leads to underweight. In most cases, treatment is causal and symptomatic. The course of the disease itself is always positive and in most cases there are no complications or other symptoms. The aphthae disappear after a few days. In severe cases, however, the treatment can last for several weeks. Rarely does the permanent pain lead to psychological complaints and depression , with social events often being avoided because the patients are ashamed of the illness. If necessary, the toothpaste must also be changed if the aphthae occur through the toothpaste.
treatment and therapy
If there is a systemic disease that results in aphthous ulcers, these usually disappear when the underlying disease is treated. However, a therapy for aphthae itself by applying various tinctures is also known. It is not yet known how to treat recurring aphthous ulcers whose cause or underlying disease cannot be determined. You can only treat the painful symptoms of aphthous ulcers here.
Pain relievers , gargles, ointments, astringent tinctures, or throat sprays can be used. They relieve the discomfort caused by aphthous ulcers, which can be considerable. Zinc sulphate or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution is occasionally used for aphthae. Folk medicine also uses tea tree oil, chamomile or sage tea to treat aphthae.
prevention
Basically, you cannot prevent aphthae. You can maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, but even gastritis triggered by stress or cortisone tablets can promote aphthous ulcers.
Studies suggest that if you have a tendency to aphthae, you should avoid a substance contained in many toothpastes: sodium lauryl sulfate can apparently promote the development of aphthae.
In the case of a severe systemic disease such as AIDS , aphthous ulcers and herpes viruses , along with many other symptoms, can aggravate the course of the disease.
The quality of life of patients with immunodeficiency diseases can be greatly impaired by aphthae.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.