When a fellow A.C. writer referred to her “canker virus” it reminded me once again of just how much bad health information is floating around out there. Let’s look at canker sores, learn what causes them and dispel some of the most common myths.
What Canker Sores Are
“Canker sore” is one of those terms that really doesn’t mean anything on its own. Yes, the phrase refers to a mouth ulcer but the cause of that mouth ulcer might be rooted in stress, poor nutrition, food sensitivities or hormonal changes.
Scientists don’t fully understand canker sores but at least some of these painful mouth ulcers are associated with chronic medical conditions that weaken the immune system. Canker sore-like ulcers often go hand-in-hand with some immunodeficiency conditions, certain skin diseases and rheumatic diseases of your body’s joints and connective tissues.
What Canker Soars Are Not
Canker sores are not mouth cancers and they don’t turn into cancer. However, if you have a sore that lasts for more than a couple of weeks, most experts recommend that you have a doctor look at it to rule out cancer as the source of the ulcer. Squamous cell skin cancers in the mouth are rare but possible.
Canker sores should not be confused with cold sores, either. Cold sores are contagious infections of the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus; canker sores are simply ulcers. They aren’t contagious, don’t spread from one area to another and are confined to the inside of the mouth.
Are Canker Sores Really Just Vitamin Deficiencies?
There is some evidence that some canker sores may be related to nutritional deficiencies. A 2006 study from Israel demonstrated this link by studying canker sores in Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome patients.
It’s important to remember, though, that the scientific evidence linking deficiencies of minerals like iron and zinc or vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin B12 isn’t conclusive. If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to absorb certain nutrients, ask your doctor if your canker sores might be related to a deficiency.
Get The TRUTH About Canker Sores
Most canker sores go away on their own in a few days without any intervention. But if you have any concerns or are worried that your mouth ulcers may be linked to something more serious, don’t hesitate to talk to the only person qualified to give you medical advice–your own physician.
References:
Scully, C., et al. (2008). Recurrant Oral Ulceration; aphthous-like ulcers in periodic syndromes. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics.
Broides, A., et al. (2006). Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome associated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and defective neutrophil function. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
Wray, D. (1981). Gluten-Sensitive Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis. Digestive Diseases and Sciences.
