Canker Sore Remedies
Canker sores are a painful condition of the mouth in which sores appear in the mouth that can affect people of any age. The condition is also commonly called as mouth ulcers, aphthous stomatitis or mouth sores. These sores attack the young more frequently though the condition is not spread from one person to the other. However with age the occurrences become less. The adult are less prone to the condition.
Though not a very serious ailment as such, the discomfort, irritation and pain that it causes makes talking and eating impossible. It takes around two weeks to heal the condition; but the chances of recurrence are always there. The cause of canker sores has not yet been pin-pointed but can be attributed to things like, food allergies, deficiency of vitamins and minerals, gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal changes, stress, menstruation, disorder of the immune system and so on. The exact cause, however, remains a mystery.
Lasting cure for canker sores is not known, however the home remedies that exist are to reduce the symptoms and bring down the amount of pain and duration of the sores. There are many over-the-counter medicines that are available that can be used to remedy the situation. Prescription medicines are available and home canker sore remedies also exist that can be used to remedy the situation.
In most of the cases, if you are able to bear the irritation and pain for the period of its existence, it dies out without treatment. However if after two weeks the soars still persist, then you need to arrange for treatment. Persisting canker sore condition might turn out to be symptom of some other serious disease.
Canker Sore Remedies – Over-the-Counter Medications and Home Remedies
In the mean time you can use the following canker sore remedies to get relief from the pain and irritation.
Canker Sore Remedies with Over-the-Counter Medications
Canker sore remedies basically consists of protecting the sores from outside interferences like drinks and food. This is done by applying a protective coating on the canker sores surface. You can achieve this by over-the-counter medications that are available in the form of pastes or creams. Some of the creams have properties that numb the sores making it more bearable for the sufferer to drink and ear. Pain killers are also used which acts to give some relief to the person from the pain. Some doctors advice not to use toothpaste or mouthwash that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can exacerbate the condition caused by canker sore. Therefore special hygienic products are to be used during such ailment.
Canker Sore Remedies at Home
Canker sore remedies can be done with items that are easily available around home and doesn’t cost much. The following remedies can be used as remedies for the condition.
The easiest one is to apply ice over the sore. The intense cold of the ice numbs the sores which provide relief from the pain and irritation.
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used. You need to mix hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts and with the help of cotton applyed on the affected area.
Aloe vera can also be used. You need to make a solution of aloe vera and water, or you can also use honey and water to use on the canker sore.
Lady’s mantle or German chamomile herbs are also useful against canker sore.
Onion from the kitchen can also be used for the condition. Just crush raw onion and apply over the sores. Onion can heal the sores fast.
Because of the pain and irritation while using the mouth that it becomes necessary to take some form of medication, otherwise canker sore gets well with time without medication. However, if the sores are larger than usual and more painful, then consulting a doctor will be advisable. In some very painful condition oral steroids are used which is not much favored because of its negative side effects.
Apart for the above home canker sore remedies there are many more exists that can be used to get relief from canker sore. Along with medication it is important to add food rich in vitamin B12 that will boost the immune system that will help in canker sore remedies.