Dr Olusegun Joseph, a family physician with the Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan, has warned that children who constantly have food allergies are at high risk of cancer sores.
Joseph gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan.
He defined canker sore as a type of “mouth ulcer, which is roundish and yellowish-white in colour, and surrounded by an outer ring in the mouth”.
According to the consultant, cancer sores usually appear on the inside of the cheeks or lips and sometimes on the tongue; and sometimes can develop on the roof of the mouth or gums.
Joseph said that cancer sores were not serious health problems but could be very painful in children, and could make them to refuse food.
He said that the major symptom of cancer sore was a burning sensation, usually experienced while eating or while drinking water.
According to him, the sores are not contagious; and while the major cause is unknown, the disease tends to run in families.
“Hence, if a parent is prone to these sores, the kids may also have a risk of developing them during their lifetime.
“Factors that can put a child at risk for cancer sores include stress, food allergies, disorder of the immune system and consumption of spicy food.
“Other factors are inflammatory bowel disease, deficiency of certain nutrients (particularly Vitamin B12, folic Acid and iron) and mouth injuries such as biting the lip or brushing too hard, which damages the delicate lining of the gums.
“In adults, exposures to certain irritants `like sodium lauryl, sulphate, which is present in many types of toothpaste, hormonal changes such as during menstruation and sensitivity to certain foods like chocolate, coffee, pineapple, eggs and nuts”.
The consultant said that in a lot of cases, cancer sores heal on their own, and do not require any intervention or treatment.
He advised that the child should be taken to see a doctor if he had more than two or three attacks of cancer sores.
According to the expert, treatment options usually include prescription of a special antibacterial mouthwash, which may reduce bacterial growth in the area and promote healing of sores.
He suggested the use of certain medications to be applied directly on the sores, using cotton swabs.
Joseph listed some possible remedies to be followed for children infected with sores to make it more manageable at home as:
“The first would be to avoid giving the child hot and spicy foods that can worsen the sore. This may cause a burning sensation and pain in the affected region.
“It is also good to avoid abrasive foods such as chips and nuts, which tend to irritate the gums and delicate tissues of the mouth”.
The specialist also canvassed for the use of natural toothpastes that do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and use of soft-bristled toothbrush, and not brushing too hard.
He recommended the use of a cold compress, to numb the area, and that the child should be properly rehydrated.
Joseph said that if symptoms like rashes and fever should occur, medical help should be sought immediately.
