Ulcers erupt where there is a cut or break in the mucous membrane lining inside the mouth or in the upper side area of the throat. Regular canker sores are not contagious and many a times they are not even painful. About eight out of ten people suffer from regular mouth lesions. A serious form of normal mouth sores are major sores that look similar to minor sores, pale yellow with red inflamed border. The difference is major lesions are that they are large in size, last long and are extremely painful. Even more severe form of mouth ulceration is herpetiform mouth ulcers. They are rare; this type of severe sores affect only one in ten people. However, they may last for a minimum of one or two months.
Unlike minor and major ulcers, herpetiform mouth ulcers are very small in size and usually occur in multiple numbers. A single outbreak can have ten to hundreds of lesions inside the mouth. These Aphthous can be as small as a tip of needle. They are usually not more than 1 to 2mm in size and extremely painful. These ulcers may look like one big size ulcer. However, several herpetiform mouth ulcers are connected to each other and appear in asymmetrical contours on the mucosal lining. Herpetiform sores affect the palate tissues as well.
Herpetiform ulcers outbreaks are generally seen in older adults. In severe cases, patients may suffer from recurrent occurrences of such painful eruptions. Although herpetiform mouth ulcers sound as though they may be caused due to herpes simplex virus, type 1 infection. This is not true. They are not linked to herpes or herpes simplex virus. Herpes virus causes cold sores that are fever blisters.
Besides common mouth ulceration symptoms like pain, inflammation, difficulty in eating, drinking, swallowing and sore throat, prolonged and recurring serious herpetiform mouth ulcers may show other severe symptoms. These symptoms include, ear pain, general weakness, swelling of lymph nodes, weight loss and in rare cases fever. If any of the above severe symptoms develop apart from common mouth ulcer symptoms, it is important to show to a doctor as these may develop into other grave medical conditions.
Herpetiform ulcers can be treated easily. Various medicines, mouthwashes and creams available in the market aid in healing the ulcers. Certain home remedies are also effective. A new type of treatment that is being considered is laser treatment for healing mouth ulcers. It has been proven successful in many cases.