Introduction:
Apthous ulcers are painful red eruptions with a central white area which occurs in the mucosal lining of the mouth. They have known to occur in areas where excoriation of the inside of the mouth occurs after brushing or biting the cheek. They may be associated with immune deficiency, viral infection, menstrual cycle, food allergies, stress, hormonal changes, and deficiency of folate, iron, or B12. These take a few days to heal but if they last over 10 days, if there are multiple which occur simultaneously with increasing pain, redness, drainage or fever a physician evaluation is required.
Milk consumption and apthous ulcers:
In a study by Calderón PE et al, a strong associated between cow’s milk proteins and recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU) (“canker sores”) was established. The authors tested the level of IgA, IgG, and IgE antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, in 50 subjects with RAU and 50 healthy individuals. Compared to the control group, the levels of IgA, IgG, and IgE antibodies to cow’s milk proteins were significantly higher in subjects with RAU (P < 0.005). This study suggests a link between cow’s milk proteins and the development of RAU. Besu et al concluded similar results and found an association of recurrent aphthous ulcerations (RAU) in 50 subjects which had an increase in levels of IgG, IgA and IgE antibodies to cow’s milk proteins in comparison to 50 healthy people without RAU. Levels of antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The results indicated RAU patients had significantly higher levels of anti–specific cow’s milk proteins (SCMP) IgA, IgG, and IgE antibodies in comparison to healthy people without RAU (p<0.005). The study showed a strong relationship between high levels of anti-SCMP IgA, IgG, and IgE antibodies from cow’s milk and occurrence of RAU.
