Ulcer, Aphthous

Cynthia Y Ohata, MD and Leila N Patterson, MD Reviewed 06/2022

BASICS

Aphthous ulcers are the most common ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa.

DESCRIPTION

Self-limited, painful ulcerations of the nonkeratinized oral mucosa, which are often recurrent
Synonyms: can...

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis is made by history (recurrent oral ulcers since childhood) and clinical presentation (characteristic lesion). Lab work is rarely contributory.

HISTORY

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Management is symptomatic. Goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, promote healing, and decrease frequency of recurrence (3)[A],(4)[A].

MEDICATION

In general, treatment...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Evaluation for infection, mucocutaneous or systemic disease, or malignancy should be pursued for nonhealing lesions or lesions with lymphadenopathy or unusual pre...

REFERENCES

Edgar NR, Saleh D, Miller RA. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: A Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Mar;10(3):26-36.

Cui RZ, Bruce AJ, Rogers RS. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Clin Derma...

CODES

ICD10

K12.0 Recurrent oral aphthae

SNOMED

426965005 aphthous ulcer of mouth (disorder)
307772002 Minor oral aphthous ulceration (disorder)
196531008 Major aphthous ulceration (disorder)
319297003 Her...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Aphthous ulcers are the most common chronic disease of the oral cavity.
Most cases are mild, self-limited episodes.
Appropriate treatment should be aimed at symptom control and promotion...

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