Ulcers in the mouth are a common problem and may interfere with eating and swallowing.

Causes

They are usually simple aphthous ulcers. A typical aphthous ulcer has a red rim with a greyish centre. Less frequently, they can be caused by Candida, herpes simplex, Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma or a low white cell count (neutropenia) and they may develop into bacterial infections. Treatment with ddC has been associated with the development of mouth ulcers in 15-30% of people who take the drug. These can occur at any time during treatment with ddC.

What to do

For aphthous ulcers which tend to be small and recurrent, simple measures such as mouth washes, local anaesthetic, steroid gels or pastes may be all that is needed. If, however, the ulcers are very painful, persistent or large then consult your doctor or specialist HIV dental services. Thalidomide has been used successfully to treat severe aphthous ulcers in people with HIV. See Ulcers in Symptoms and illnesses: A to Z of illnesses for further information on the treatment of serious ulcers.

Although not a proven treatment, honey may sometimes be recommended to soothe mouth ulcers. If untreated, mouth ulcers can interfere with eating, appetite and affect nutrition and weight.