Canker Sores (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your doctor if you are concerned about any of the following:
- A bacterial infection may develop (symptoms may
include severe pain, fever, and swollen
lymph nodes).
- Lesions may worsen or continue beyond several
weeks.
- A more serious problem may be present, such as inflammatory bowel disease or an oral cancer. Factors that may lead to oral cancer include smoking, tobacco chewing, and use of alcohol.
Exams and Tests
Canker sores are diagnosed by their typical appearance. No testing is needed in the majority of cases.
- The doctor, however, must consider the possibility of
herpes or fungal infections, trauma, or sores that will not heal that could signal cancer. The oral lesions of hand-foot-and-mouth disease can appear similar to canker sores.
- Canker sores may be seen in people with HIV infection, with
inflammatory and other bowel diseases, and with certain medical conditions.
- Herpetiform aphthous ulcers may be distinguished from true herpes sores by the fact that with the herpetiform canker sores, no vesicles (small blisters) appear before the ulcers do.
Next: Canker Sore Treatment »
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Canker Sores - Effective Treatments
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Aphthous Ulcers »
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common condition, restricted to the mouth, that typically starts in childhood or adolescence as recurrent small, round, or ovoid ulcers with circumscribed margins, erythematous haloes, and yellow or gray floors.
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