title: Diagnosing oral ulcers.
abstract: Oral ulcers are common and can have many causes, making diagnosis challenging. This article provides an overview of common oral ulcers and an algorithmic approach to establishing the correct diagnosis. Factors such as duration, pattern of recurrence, clinical appearance, mucosal location, and presence or absence of systemic symptoms are useful clues to determining an ulcer's cause.
authors.affiliation: Alison J. Bruce is a consultant and associate professor of dermatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Tushar S. Dabade is a dermatology resident at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston, Mass. Nicole M. Burkemper is an assistant professor of dermatology and pathology at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Burkemper discloses that she is a faculty member of the American Academy of Dermatology's dermatology examination preparation course. The authors have disclosed no other potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Tushar S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Dabade
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Burkemper
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications