Single application of a dessicating agent in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphtous stomatitis (aphthae, canker sores) is ones of the most common and painful oral mucosal inflammatory ulcerative conditions; etiopathogenesis is uncertain and only symptomatic therapy is available. We used a dessicating agent based on a concentrated mixture of sulfates. The rationale for use of this product on canker sores is that it cauterises the epithelial tissue affected by the immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the topical application of this dessicating agent on aphtous ulcers, and verify its efficacy in reducing pain. Fifty-seven patients, with oral minor aphtous lesions and a history of recurrent aphtous stomatitis were enrolled into this study and were assigned into two groups: 30 patients were treated with a single topical application of a dessicating agent and 27 without any treatment. A subjective evaluation of symptoms was completed by each patient using a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-10. Patients' oral lesions were clinically observed at days 0 (before entering the study) and at day 6. We found that from day three the mean differences in pain score between the two groups was about 16.33% with a decrease of symptoms of 49.57% compared with pretreatment VAS score at baseline (P<0.001). Unfortunately, if we compare the mean differences from baseline in the range of 6 days of pretreatment until day 6 in the group treated with the dessicating agent and in the one receiving no treatment, performing an unpaired t-test, no significant differences appeared (P>0.05). These data suggest that a single application of this medicament could become a valid support in the management of recurrent aphtous stomatitis.