Canker Sores
(Aphthous Ulcers)
Medical Author: Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are canker sores?
Canker sores are small ulcer craters in the lining of the mouth that
are frequently painful and sensitive. About 20% of the population (1
out of 5) people have canker sores at any one time. Canker sores are
also medically known as aphthous ulcers.
Women are more likely than men are to have recurrent canker sores.
Genetic studies show that susceptibility to recurrent outbreaks of
the sores is inherited in some patients. This partially explains why
family members often share the condition.
What are symptoms of canker sores?
Canker sores are usually found on the movable parts of the mouth such
as the tongue or the inside lining of the lips and cheeks. The ulcers
begin as small oval or round reddish swellings that usually burst
within a day. The ruptured sores are covered by a thin white or
yellow membrane and edged by a red halo. Generally, the sores heal
within 2 weeks without scarring. Canker sores range in size from an
eighth of an inch wide in mild cases to more than an inch wide in
severe cases. Severe canker sores may leave scars. Fever is rare, and
the sores are rarely associated with other diseases. Usually, a
person has only one or a few canker sores at a time.
Most people experience their first bout with canker sores between the
ages of 10 and 20. Children as young as 2, however, can develop the
condition. The frequency of canker sore recurrences varies
considerably. Some people have only one or two episodes a year, while
others may have a continuous series of canker sores.
Next: What are the causes of canker sores? »
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Last Editorial Review: 10/6/2005
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