Recurrent aphthous ulceration and food sensitivity.

Forty patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) were investigated to ascertain the possibility of food sensitivity being a significant precipitating factor in their recurrent oral ulceration. All patients were hematologically normal and did not respond to vitamin B1 and B6 therapy. Patch testing (Standard European Series) was undertaken in 21 patients. Twenty patients showed a positive reaction to a number of substances which were considered clinically relevant. Professional advice on avoidance of the allergen was given, resulting in an improvement in eighteen patients. It is concluded that food sensitivity and allergies to other substances should be considered as an etiologic factor in hematologically normal patients with recurrent oral ulceration.