Content
Foot-and-mouth disease is a condition characterized by the appearance of thrush, blisters or ulcerations in the mouth frequently, being more common in infants, children or people who have weakened immune systems due to chronic diseases, such as HIV / AIDS, for example.
Canker sores, blisters and sores can, in some cases, appear every 15 days and can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes or the immune system, and can also happen due to mineral and vitamin deficiencies, mainly vitamin B12.
Main symptoms
The main symptom of aphthous stomatitis is the appearance of thrush, blisters or sores in the mouth, oval in shape and less than 1 cm in diameter. In addition, canker sores and sores can be painful, make it difficult to drink and eat, and there is greater sensitivity in the mouth.
Although stomatitis appears more easily on the lips, in some cases it can also appear on the roof of the mouth, throat and gums, which can be even more uncomfortable. Know other symptoms of stomatitis.
According to the characteristics, size and quantity of canker sores that form in the mouth, stomatitis can be classified into:
1. Minor aphthous stomatitis
This type of stomatitis is the most common and is characterized by small thrush, approximately 10 mm, which usually takes between 10 to 14 days to disappear and heal. In this type of stomatitis, canker sores have a rounded shape, gray or yellowish color and reddish edges.
2. Major foot-and-mouth disease stomatitis
This type of stomatitis causes larger canker sores, which can reach 1 cm in size, and can take from days to months to heal completely due to its size. This type of stomatitis is less common, and canker sores appear in lesser quantities, leaving scars in the mouth.
3. Herpetiform type stomatitis
In the case of herpetiform stomatitis, canker sores appear in outbreaks, they are usually very small, can be 1 to 3 mm in size and generally appear in large numbers, with 100 canker sores per episode.
Possible causes
Stomatitis can appear at any time, without triggering factors. However, some situations can favor the appearance of thrush and mouth sores, the main ones being:
- Family history of the disease;
- Infection with viruses, such as the herpes virus;
- Hormonal changes, which is more common in women;
- Nutritional deficiencies, mainly folic acid and vitamin B12;
- Changes in the immune system, as in the case of autoimmune diseases and AIDS, for example;
- Situations of emotional or physical stress.
The diagnosis of stomatitis is made by the doctor according to the symptoms presented by the person, the frequency with which canker sores appear and their characteristics, in addition to checking which factor favors the appearance of stomatitis.
Remedies for foot-and-mouth disease
Treatment for aphthous stomatitis is done with the aim of relieving symptoms such as pain and discomfort, in addition to helping in the healing of ulcers. Thus, some remedies such as anti-inflammatory drugs, such as triamcinolone, antibiotics or anesthetics, such as Benzocaine, for example, may be recommended and should be used according to the doctor's guidance.
In addition, the use of natural and homeopathic remedies such as quercetin, the extract of the mangrove bark, licorice extract or propolis can help to reduce the symptoms presented. Check out other options of natural remedies for stomatitis.