Ulcer in mouth?

[STNKMSTRFLX]

About a couple of days ago I noticed two ulcer like markings on the inside of my lip.  They are very tiny, I'd say a milimeter in diameter, if that.  I could feel it with my tongue and that's how I knew they were there.  It isn't raised or anything and it isn't painful at all. There is no tingling or anything like that coming from the area.  I went to my family doctor and the first doctor (who just came in to basically check me and write down my symptoms before the other doctor came in) said that it didn't look like anything and said that I probably just bit down on the inside of my lip.  Then my family doctor came in and looked at with a light and siad that it doesn't look like anything that I need to worry about.  She said that it looked to her to be a aphthous ulcer.  My question is, I read A LOT about these ulcers and they all say that they are painful.  

1.) If this is one of those Aphthous ulcers, then how come I don't have ANY pain what so ever from the area?
2.) Are these related to Herpes? My doctor said that Cankor sores and Herpes are basically the same thing!  
3.) I was under A LOT of stress a week prior to these "ulcers" showing up and I didn't eat anything for a couple of days.  Could these be related to that (ie. vitamin difficiency)?
4.) Do you think they are anything I should be worried about?

[jannov]

Dear,
I

[pgn]

I get re-occuring ulcers as you describe, though usually with a bit of pain.
3 pointers from my experience:
1) Being run-down certainly brings them on,
2) As does eating poorly (lack of fruits and veg)
3) Alcohol seems to exacerbate them when they are apparant.

I generally try to avoid being in a state of (1) or (2) for more than a couple of days, or I know ulcers will appear... It's very predictable.

Salty water has never helped me much... Seem to just get more sore and red... I stumbled across your message in search of some ideas for treatment.

Cheers.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, aphthae can disappear quickly.

Dr. Rockoff

[derma52]

I sent you a message from your previous question on 9/9.  I am curious what your diagnosis was.

[STNKMSTRFLX]

I forgot to mention, since I noticed them yesterday, I started to gargle with warm salt water twice a day, and now they are pratically gone.  Do Aphthous ulcers disapear that quickly?

[STNKMSTRFLX]

Do I need to worry about them constantly coming back?  I read that Aphthous ulcers will continually come back.  These don't look or feel anything like I've read, but if they are and this is the first time that I've had them, do I have to worry about them comming back all the time?  Thank you for your comment, for I value your professional opinion.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Most aphthae are painful, bit not necessarily.  Aphthous ulsers, however, are NOT the same as herpes.  They may or may not be viral--no one knows for sre--but they most certainly are not from the herpes virus.  Most herpes is outseide the mouth.

I can't even think of anything else these could be, certainly not anything serious.  My advice is to take your doctors' reassurance as correct and ignore them.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff