Canker Sore Home Remedy
Canker Sores are small sores or ulcers which occur on the inside of the lips or cheeks, under the tongue, the base of the gums or, most painfully, the throat. They are little, shallow sores which may have a red or white coating on them. While they are not dangerous, they can be very painful and cause a lot of discomfort while eating. It’s not known why canker sores appear, but they are quite common for some people. One of the reasons for their appearance may be hereditary, but lifestyle factors like diet, stress, and malnutrition, or factors like allergies or menstruation in women have also been attributed to sores. Traditional wisdom believes that canker sores are often indicative of another ailment like an upset stomach, and if you get them regularly, it may be a good idea to take stock of your lifestyle.
Canker sores are not contagious. If left untreated, they will go away naturally, but some home remedies will make their life shorter, or make them easier to bear. The sores start as a tingling sensation, and slowly grow larger. When food particles touch them, they can cause pain and discomfort, making eating difficult.
Home remedies. There are several over-the-counter medicines that will ease the pain of an irritating canker sore. Natural remedies are just as effective, and almost every household will have its own remedy. When you get a canker sore, and especially if you get more than one, the first thing you need to do is to watch your diet. Stay away from spicy, oily food, and especially junk food. You’ll find that these are all the hardest to eat, as they irritate the sores the most. Think of it as your body trying to give you a message. Rice and curd, accompanied by leafy vegetables are easy to swallow, and will do wonders for your tummy.
To ease the discomfort caused by the sore, here are some things you can do:
• Extract some juice of the Aloe Vera plant, mix with water, and apply on the sore. Aloe Vera has many healing properties, and this will make the sore more bearable and shorter lived.
• Prepare a mixture of two ounces of Hydrogen Peroxide and two ounces water, with five tablespoons of salt and one tablespoon baking soda. Gargle with this four to five times a day, focussing on the sore.
• Apply wet black tea bags to the sore. The tannin in them will help the sores heal quicker.
• Dabbing alum on the sore may make it hurt or smart, but after the initial discomfort, it will stop hurting and the sore will vanish in a couple of days. Do this twice a day.
• A paste of baking soda and salt will help, especially when the sore is young.
