Aphthae are small, exceedingly painful mucosal lesions that usually appear in the form of blisters in the mouth. A little stress, a slight immune deficiency or even short-term hormonal fluctuations are sometimes enough for the development of these blisters on the oral mucosa and tongue, which can make speaking, chewing and swallowing very difficult.
Aphthae: definition and symptoms
An aphtae, often incorrectly spelled “aphthae,” is a roundish-oval painful mucosal lesion that occurs acutely and is usually the size of a lentil. The inflammatory mucosal defect is surrounded by a red halo, on which a whitish coating of blood clot fibers (fibrin) can be seen. In addition to the typical appearance of the blisters, common symptoms include a sensation of burning or a feeling of tightness. Aphthae occur singly or in larger numbers on the oral mucosa, on the tongue (especially on the edge of the tongue) or on the gums, sometimes also in the area of the pharynx and palate. They often occur on mechanically stressed mucosal areas near canine teeth or contact surfaces to braces, so the vesicles are often found on the lip or cheek. Less commonly, aphthae can also occur in the genital area. Aphthae are very painful, but usually harmless. An aphthae usually heals spontaneously without scarring after a period of 10 to 14 days. 5 facts about aphthae – iStock.com/PhanuwatNandee
Causes and development of aphthae
Aphthae are not contagious – why they develop is still unclear. At the moment, it is believed that an immunological reaction to certain factors is responsible for the formation of aphthae. In addition to coinciding with gastrointestinal complaints and many other illnesses (colds, Crohn’s disease), those affected notice an increased occurrence of aphthae after eating certain foods (for example, nuts, citrus fruits) or using medications. Cycle-dependent hormonal fluctuations and emotional stress or depressive moods can also lead to aphthae. In addition, iron, folic acid or vitamin deficiencies and the use of certain toothpastes (containing sodium lauryl sulfate or triclosan) can also trigger the occurrence.
Do aphthae run in the family?
The so-called idiopathic aphthae, i.e. aphthae whose cause is not known, often occur in families and at irregular intervals. Two types are distinguished:
- In the more common minor type, a few smaller foci occur.
- In the rarer major type, the aphthae are larger, numerous and heal only with scarring.
Other causes of vesicles in the mouth
From this non-infectious aphthous disease is distinguished aphthous-like mucosal defects in many viral diseases (varicella-zoster, coxsackie viruses). In the frequent herpes simplex infection of the oral mucosa, the clinical picture is called stomatitis aphthosa. Recognize oral diseases – these pictures help!
Treatment of aphthae
Because aphthae cause pain with every mouth movement, speaking, chewing and swallowing are extremely uncomfortable during aphthous infestation. This discomfort is relieved with various analgesics. In addition, careful oral hygiene is particularly important – this prevents the aphthae from becoming infected with bacteria and speeds up healing somewhat. Many preparations have both a disinfecting and a local analgesic effect; depending on the intensity of the pain, it may thus be possible to dispense with a further analgesic. Here are mainly to mention:
- Mouthwashes with arnica, mallow, sage or chamomile.
- Tinctures of rhubarb root extract or myrrh.
- Chewing blueberries, which have an anti-inflammatory effect due to their tannin content
In addition, a wide variety of gargles and mouthwash solutions from the pharmacy are helpful for disinfection and pain relief – tea tree oil is also used. For local pain relief, anesthetic ointments or gels are also used, which – dabbed on the aphthae – have fewer side effects than a pain pill. The use of ointments containing cortisone is controversial, as efficacy studies have not yet reached a clear conclusion – you should use them only after consulting your doctor and not for a long period of time.
Treat aphthae with home remedies
For small aphthae, sucking ice cubes helps.Eating heavily salted or sweetened foods often increases the pain, while milk reduces it. Some home remedies are also recommended by sufferers for treatment – since their effectiveness has not been proven by studies, they are usually not recommended by doctors. The tips range from eating half a raw onion daily, taking zinc, calcium or folic acid tablets, treating yourself with urine, drinking lemon juice or cola, or the very painful application of salt crystals – but perhaps one of these pieces of advice will be helpful to you if other remedies fail.
Prevention of aphthae
Sufferers should avoid as much as possible the factors that can trigger aphthae: You should limit the consumption of nuts or citrus-containing fruits and strengthen your immune system by eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins. In addition, Swedish scientists have found that aphthae can be avoided in half of all sufferers if they use a medicinal toothpaste containing pharmaceutical orange oil and the active ingredient glycyrrhizin over a longer period of time. This remedy is now also available in Germany.
