Minor apthous ulcer

- About 20% of the population are affected and ulcers usually recur 3-6 times per year
- The cause is not completely understood, but involves a T cell-mediated immune response triggered by a variety of factors.
- Different individuals have different triggers, which may include nutritional deficiencies, local trauma, stress, hormonal influences, allergies, genetic predisposition or other factors.
- These ulcers usually last about 2 weeks regardless of what treatment is attempted
- The patient usually notices them after about 1 week when they are most painful
- Rinsing with a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water at least twice a day will help to prevent bacterial infection
- Some people find Kenalog in orabase applied topically to be useful