Aphthous Ulcers/ Behcet's Disease

Aphthous ulcers (also known at Lipschutz ulcers) are deep, painful genital ulcers with a yellow base that occur most commonly in young Caucasian women.  They are not sexually acquired. It is not know what causes them, but they may be associated with common infections, including Epstein-Barre Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), mycoplasma, and Lyme Disease.  They are often brought on with stress.  Treatment consists of pain control and corticosteroids.  Aphthous ulcers may occur with oral aphthous ulcers and, if recurrent, may raise suspicion for Behcet’s Disease.

Behcet’s Disease is a rare, chronic inflammatory disorder that most commonly affects young Asian and Mediterranean women.  It is marked by recurrent oral ulcers (at least three episodes), in addition to one of the following: recurrent vulvar ulcers, eye findings (such as uveitis or vasculitis), or skin lesions (erythema nodosum or acneiform nodules).  This disease can cause other forms of inflammation in the body as well. 

Treatment

Although there is no cure for Behcet’s Disease, symptoms may be managed with corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications.

Conditions we treat