cankers

Cankers is a term used for two broad kinds of lesions that affect living tissues in different kingdoms. In humans, cankers usually refer to canker sores, small painful ulcers that occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth. In plants, cankers describe sunken lesions on the bark or wood of trees and shrubs, which can weaken or kill affected tissues and, in some cases, girdle branches.

Human canker sores are generally not fully understood, but triggers such as minor mouth injuries, stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (for example, vitamins B12 or folate and zinc), or allergic reactions may play a role. They are typically noncontagious and tend to heal within one to two weeks, though recurrent cases may occur. Treatment focuses on relief and healing, using topical anesthetics or antiseptics, and sometimes topical corticosteroids for inflammation. Maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding irritants can help. Persistent, unusually large, or very painful sores should be evaluated by a clinician to rule out other conditions.

Plant cankers are lesions caused by bacterial or fungal pathogens, or by physical injury and environmental stress. They appear as sunken, discolored areas on stems or branches, and can extend beneath the bark, disrupting xylem and phloem. Management emphasizes prevention and sanitation: prune and remove infected tissue, disinfect tools between cuts, avoid wounding plants, and support overall health through proper watering and nutrition. In some cases, chemical controls are limited in effectiveness, so resistant cultivars and cultural practices are important for long-term prevention.