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Three Weeks Ago (approximately), I Developed Two Large Mouth Ulcers
Question: Three weeks ago (approximately), I developed two large mouth ulcers (about .8cm in diameter) which were extremely painful. Around two weeks later these ulcers still had not healed and I have since developed around 8 more ulcers in my mouth, on my cheeks, under my tongue, and in the space between my lower lip and teeth. They are very painful and make eating, drinking and talking difficult.
When the ulcers first developed I had headaches and was quite fatigued. I also have gotten some pimple/welts on my upper chest and arms (not sure if this is related). They don’t itch and generally go away in a week.
I have tried many home remedies including chamomile tea, changing toothpaste, vitamin B12, and antihistamine. I have also been to the doctor and was prescribed a mouthwash with numbing agents, antibacterial and antiseptics, though this has not seemed to help much.
Is there a possible cause for these ulcers or something I can avoid to stop getting them? How can I get them to heal?
When the ulcers first developed I had headaches and was quite fatigued. I also have gotten some pimple/welts on my upper chest and arms (not sure if this is related). They don’t itch and generally go away in a week.
I have tried many home remedies including chamomile tea, changing toothpaste, vitamin B12, and antihistamine. I have also been to the doctor and was prescribed a mouthwash with numbing agents, antibacterial and antiseptics, though this has not seemed to help much.
Is there a possible cause for these ulcers or something I can avoid to stop getting them? How can I get them to heal?
I also had bad tonsilitis/infectious mononucleosis about a two months ago if this could make a difference My lips are badly chapped and I also got ringworm on my leg (which makes me think my immune system is not good at the moment). Is there anything I should do to get my immune system up?
Brief Answer:
Treatment is on empirical basis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
Please give some additional information for me to assist you better:
Your age and gender.
Any problem with stomach like acidity, GERD (acid reflux in esophagus , throat, mouth), Colitis with pain in sides of lower abdomen, changes in stool?
The ulcers in the oral cavity as you have explained are called ahthous (about 3 mm) and apthoid (more than 3 mm) ulcers.
The exact cause is not known. These appear due to loss of integrity/strength of the mucous membrane.
This may be secondary to problems with absorption of multivitamins and minerals which are important for healthy skin and mucosa. Colitis with or without symptoms can be one of the reasons.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Take multivitamins with mineral and trace elements.
A short course of oral steroids helps to reduce inflammation; needs a prescription of your Doctor.
Frequent sips of water helps local leaning and helps for reducing pain and early healing.
Apthous ulcers usually take a few days for recovery but the Aphthoid ulcers can take 1-3 weeks for healing.
Apply anti-fungal ointments for ringworms, keep the area clean and dry; avoid anything that increases sweating as wetness causes or increases ringworms. And the same thing applies to skin integrity as explained above.
Tonsillitis/infectious mononucleosis 2 months ago may not be related.
Take care.
Follow the instruction and see let me know the results.
Give regular followup.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Dr T Chandrakant.
Treatment is on empirical basis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood your concerns.
Please give some additional information for me to assist you better:
Your age and gender.
Any problem with stomach like acidity, GERD (acid reflux in esophagus , throat, mouth), Colitis with pain in sides of lower abdomen, changes in stool?
The ulcers in the oral cavity as you have explained are called ahthous (about 3 mm) and apthoid (more than 3 mm) ulcers.
The exact cause is not known. These appear due to loss of integrity/strength of the mucous membrane.
This may be secondary to problems with absorption of multivitamins and minerals which are important for healthy skin and mucosa. Colitis with or without symptoms can be one of the reasons.
Hence I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Take multivitamins with mineral and trace elements.
A short course of oral steroids helps to reduce inflammation; needs a prescription of your Doctor.
Frequent sips of water helps local leaning and helps for reducing pain and early healing.
Apthous ulcers usually take a few days for recovery but the Aphthoid ulcers can take 1-3 weeks for healing.
Apply anti-fungal ointments for ringworms, keep the area clean and dry; avoid anything that increases sweating as wetness causes or increases ringworms. And the same thing applies to skin integrity as explained above.
Tonsillitis/infectious mononucleosis 2 months ago may not be related.
Take care.
Follow the instruction and see let me know the results.
Give regular followup.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Dr T Chandrakant.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thankyou,
I am female, aged 19. I have recently moved solo from australia to Canada.
Around 1 and a half weeks into the illness I had extremely bad headaches, fatigue and a bad episode of diarrhoea. I took a day off work and after that my bowel movements have become normal again. I haven’t really had pain in my abdomen. I haven’t been diagnosed with stomach acidity, GERD or colitis.
Should I be making another trip to see a doctor or should I just let it run it’s course?
I am female, aged 19. I have recently moved solo from australia to Canada.
Around 1 and a half weeks into the illness I had extremely bad headaches, fatigue and a bad episode of diarrhoea. I took a day off work and after that my bowel movements have become normal again. I haven’t really had pain in my abdomen. I haven’t been diagnosed with stomach acidity, GERD or colitis.
Should I be making another trip to see a doctor or should I just let it run it’s course?
Brief Answer:
Consult a Doctor for clinical evaluation, investigations & treatment
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
The cause of your problem looks to be related to the episode of headache, fatigue and diarrhea.
Hence this needs proper clinical evaluation, tests of stool and blood and additional treatment with antibiotics, metronidazole and probiotics on prescription.
Please consult your Doctor and discuss the above points, get investigated and treated accordingly to get a cure.
I hope this answer helps you further.
Dr T Chandrakant.
Consult a Doctor for clinical evaluation, investigations & treatment
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
The cause of your problem looks to be related to the episode of headache, fatigue and diarrhea.
Hence this needs proper clinical evaluation, tests of stool and blood and additional treatment with antibiotics, metronidazole and probiotics on prescription.
Please consult your Doctor and discuss the above points, get investigated and treated accordingly to get a cure.
I hope this answer helps you further.
Dr T Chandrakant.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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