Child Health A-Z

Aphthous Stomatitis

What is aphthous stomatitis?

Aphthous stomatitis is an illness that causes small ulcers to appear in the mouth, usually inside the lips, on the cheeks, or on the tongue. Aphthous stomatitis is also known as "canker sores."

What causes aphthous stomatitis?

The exact cause of this disease is not known. There are many factors that are thought to be involved with the development of canker sores, including:

weakened immune system
allergies to food such as coffee, chocolate, cheese, nuts, and citrus fruits
stress
viruses and bacteria
trauma to the mouth
poor nutrition
certain medications

Aphthous stomatitis is usually seen in children and adolescents from the ages of 10 to 19 years. For about one-third of the children affected, lesions continue to reappear for years after the initial outbreak.

These ulcers are not contagious and cannot be spread from one child to another.

What are the symptoms of aphthous stomatitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of aphthous stomatitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

ulcers in the mouth, usually inside the lips, on the cheeks, or on the tongue
ulcers that are covered with a yellow layer and have a red base
no fever present (in most cases)
lesions usually heal in seven to 14 days
lesions tend to recur

How is aphthous stomatitis diagnosed?

Aphthous stomatitis is usually diagnosed based on a complete history and physical examination of your child. The lesions are unique and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical examination. In addition, your child's physician may order the following tests to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes for the ulcers:

blood tests
cultures of the lesions
biopsy of the lesion - taking a small piece of tissue from the lesion and examining it microscopically

Treatment for aphthous stomatitis:

Specific treatment for aphthous stomatitis will be determined by your child's physician based on:

your child's age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

The goal of treatment for aphthous stomatitis is to help decrease the severity of the symptoms. Since it is a viral infection, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment may include: