canker sores

United States
November 4, 2007 2:03am CST
My daughter tends to get canker sores several times a year, sometimes more often. She is 27 years old, has been suffering through these mouth sores for several years and has gone to a couple of doctors for advice. One said they're a virus, another said stress, and so it goes. As anyone who has ever had canker sore knows, they are painful and last for a week or more. At least in my daughter's case. Does anyone out there in mylotter land have any magical cures or advice? She is presently using one of the many topical pain meds. specifically made for canker sores. Does anyone know if it's vitamin deficiancy of some kind? HELP!!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@cowlady (270)
• United States
4 Nov 07
I get canker sores when I eat too much vitamin C, too many oranges etc. I would put a little merthiolate on them and it would burn a little but the pain would go away and the next day or so the sore was gone. I know that would not be recommended but I am not saying to drink the bottle just swab a little on.The OTC stuff never works for me. Rinsing your mouth out with salt water also works but not as fast.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Nov 07
Hello Cowlady, Thank you for the suggestions. What is merthiolate? Is it calles something else? My daughter would like to try it. Thanks so much for the help.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I have always heard that cankers sores were viral (oral herpes), but I only get them when I have lots of sweets or not enough vitamins. The food diary looks like a good idea for your daughter, let us know how it works out!
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Oh, I thought canker sores were cold sores, just that different people called them different things?? Wow, I don't know then...
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Well, I did find this, hopefully it will help some... http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000998.htm#top
@cowlady (270)
• United States
5 Nov 07
i thought herpes was cold sores not canker sores
@cowlady (270)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Mecurichrome or merthiolate will work. Don't drink the bottle just swab a little on the sore.It will burn but it will work. You buy it where they sell band aids in the first aid aisle.
• United States
6 Nov 07
Hi Cowlady, My daughter is going to get the mecurichchrome as I write. lol I'll let you know how it works for her. Thanks so much for the help.
• United States
4 Nov 07
hmm i dont get them myself, but i used to work with a man that had that problem. he would get them every once in a while throughout the year, but doubly so during the xmas season..he finally learned that he was allergic to walnuts, they gave him cankers sores. (xmas time he loved the fudge lol) he said that for almost a full year he had been without a single canker sore, as long as he made sure there were not any walnuts in his food. now im not a doctor of course, but you might try jotting down meals/snacks that your daughter eats each day, so when she does get another sore you can look to see if a pattern grows with certain foods, and then try and narrow it down from there.
• United States
4 Nov 07
Thank you Cinder. I'll pass that along to my daughter. It will be worth her time to keep track of her meals if it means figuring out what's causing the painful sores. Great idea. Thanks. :-)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Hi Carolie, I get them often on my left side of the bottom lip and it is very painful. I did read one time that the first site of an onset to apply an ice cube and it causes it not to last as long. I purchased a book called Prescription for Nutritional Healing through Puritan's Pride Vitamins. Under canker sores it says, can be triggered by any of a number of factors including poor dental hygiene, irritation from dental work, food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, viral infection, an underlying immunologic disease, trauma (such as bitting the inside of the cheek or using a hard bristled toothbrush), stress and or fatigue. Deficiencies of iron, lysine, vitamin B12 and folic acid have been linked to this disorder in some people. The book goes on to say what all you can do to help relieve the problem. It is a very helpful book and you can purchase it from www.puritansale.com I hope your Daughter can ease this problem. Hope this helps. Because I Care You and Yours Are In My Prayers. cdwilkins in Ohio
• United States
6 Nov 07
Hi Love, Thank you for your much appreciated advice. I have passed it along to my daughter. I think I've heard of some of this too, someone on a news program mentioned the vitamin B12 for canker sores a long time ago, I completely forgot. Thanks for reminding me, and thanks again for all the help.