Although the start of autumn has arrived, the hottest days of summer persist. This period is peak season for oral ulcers. Once they appear, eating becomes troublesome and even speaking can be difficult. Some believe oral ulcers are caused solely by "heatiness," but that's not the whole story—other factors may be involved...
Berries are prone to cause allergies
It is understood that mental stress, viral infections, allergic reactions, and vitamin deficiencies can all trigger oral ulcers.
Doctors report that, based on their experience, many attempts to prevent oral ulcers by eating fruit are unsuccessful. They believe that allergic reactions to fruit are a more common cause of oral ulcers.The most common allergenic fruits are berries such as strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, citrus fruits, lemons, mangoes, pineapples, and kiwis. Additionally, certain melons—including cantaloupe and honeydew—and even lychees and mangosteens can easily trigger allergies.
Experts advise that if oral ulcers develop after consuming a previously unfamiliar food or beverage, or even switching to a new brand of toothpaste, consider whether an allergy is the cause and discontinue the item immediately. Similarly, if oral ulcers appear after eating certain fruits during summer, investigate whether these fruits triggered the condition.
Recurrence Should Not Be Ignored
Many people dismiss oral ulcers as a "minor ailment" that will heal on its own without treatment.
However, doctors point out that oral ulcers are a mild form of mucosal disease. They are often accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth, insomnia, and depression. More severe cases are closely related to other connective tissue disorders, so they should not be taken lightly.
Experts state that under normal circumstances, most oral ulcers heal within one to two weeks. If they persist beyond a month or recur frequently, it likely indicates underlying issues elsewhere in the body, warranting prompt medical attention.
Experts further emphasize that oral ulcers can be recurrent or traumatic in nature. Persistent ulcers that fail to heal indicate underlying issues. Prolonged neglect may even lead to malignant transformation, potentially developing into oral cancer.
To prevent oral ulcers, experts recommend ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a light diet, avoiding spicy foods, drinking plenty of water, consuming fresh vegetables and fruits, and preventing constipation.
Weakened Immunity Triggers Oral Ulcers
During summer, people often attribute oral ulcers to "internal heat" and believe eating so-called "heat-reducing" foods like watermelon can prevent them. However, treating oral ulcers with heat-reducing foods is inadvisable. Experts indicate that recurrent summer oral ulcers are closely linked to weakened immunity.
Doctors note that fruit allergies don't occur every time; they are highly dependent on the body's condition. Allergic reactions are more likely to occur when the body is under significant stress, fatigued, or experiencing poor sleep, as well as during specific periods.
Such periods include menstruation for women, during which the body's allergic reactions increase, making oral ulcers more likely.
Beyond these periods, summer activities—like moving between air-conditioned rooms and outdoor environments—make people prone to colds. Factors like staying up late and irregular eating habits weaken the body's resistance, reducing its ability to fight viruses and triggering oral ulcers.