title: Topical and systemic therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
abstract: The cause of recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), the lesions of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, is incompletely understood but appears to involve immune system dysfunction. Treatment options include no treatment, treatment of associated systemic diseases or conditions (eg, celiac sprue, vitamin deficiencies), systemic medications, topical medications, conversion of the aphthous ulcer to a wound, and palliative treatments. The most effective treatments (systemic or topical corticosteroids, thalidomide) involve agents that suppress or modulate immune system function. In general, topical agents are preferred because they have fewer associated side effects; however, inability to obtain adequate contact time may limit their effectiveness. Adjunct pain control is sometimes necessary, either with pain medications or with adherent agents that coat the ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0422, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: MacPhail
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010166:Palliative Care; D012008:Recurrence; D013256:Steroids; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D013792:Thalidomide