Abstract

Treatments that have been advocated for aphthous ulcers include vaccination, vitamins A, B, C, D and E, oestrogens and androgens, sulphonamides, antibiotics, gentian violet paint, and many others: none have been shown by controlled trial to affect the relapse rate or the duration of individual ulcers. The only treatment that has been shown to relieve the symptoms, to accelerate healing, and to reduce the relapse rate is topical or systemic administration of a corticosteroid.^1–3 Some ‘resistant aphthae’ later turn out to be examples of Behcet’s syndrome. The treatment is the same, but less rewarding. Recently two newer preparations have been promoted for the treatment of mouth ulcers.