An ulcer is a sore that doesn’t go away quickly or one that keeps coming back. It is often associated with pain and is one of the most common types of problems that people all over the world experience. An ulcer can be inside or outside your body. There are many types of ulcers, but there are 5 main types of ulcers that are most common in people; peptic ulcer, venous ulcer, genital ulcer, arterial ulcer, and mouth ulcer.

Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcers are one of the most common types of ulcers. These are found inside your stomach lining, in your esophagus, or in the upper part of the small intestine. There are three types of peptic ulcers — duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and esophageal ulcer. Peptic ulcers are caused due to damage to intestine walls or stomach walls due to digestive juices. If you take painkillers and have been infected with H. pylori then you are most likely to get a peptic ulcer. This is due to the inflammation that is caused that leads to the formation of a peptic ulcer.

Venous ulcer
A venous ulcer is one of the main types of ulcers. It generally affects the leg. Venous ulcers occur due to vein damage. This is usually caused because of a lack of sufficient blood flow to the heart. Venous ulcers are in the form of open wounds. They can usually be seen on the ankle’s inner area, on your leg, and the portion below your knees. People who have varicose veins, blood clot history, and osteoarthritis are more prone to developing venous ulcers.

Arterial ulcer
An arterial ulcer is also known as an ischemic ulcer. Arterial ulcers form on your heels, feet, toes, or ankles. These form on the outer portion of the body parts. When your body’s tissues do not get enough blood, the arteries get damaged as a result. This leads to the development of arterial ulcers. Another cause of arterial ulcer is an injury that did not heal completely. Other health issues such as a buildup of plaque in your arteries can lead to arterial ulcers too. People with diabetes are more likely to have arterial ulcers.

Genital ulcer
Genital ulcers are one of the main types of ulcers that can form in the anus, vagina, penis, or the areas around these parts. The main cause of genital ulcers is STIs (sexually transmitted infections). People who are allergic to certain products can develop genital ulcers. Inflammatory diseases can lead to the formation of ulcers in the genital area. Another leading cause of a genital ulcer is trauma.

Mouth ulcer
Mouth ulcers are known as canker sores too. These develop inside your mouth or in your gum base. They are in the form of lesions or tiny sores. There are many causes of mouth ulcers. If you have food allergies, bacterial infection, or vitamin deficiency then you are more likely to have mouth ulcers. People who brush their teeth harshly can get mouth ulcers too. Certain types of diseases can lead to mouth ulcers. Changes in hormones and biting your cheek’s insides can lead to the formation of mouth ulcers too.

Ulcers can occur anywhere in your body. Some of the main types of ulcers go away on their own without requiring any type of treatment. However, other types of ulcers might need medical intervention for treatment because they can cause complications if left untreated.