Table of Contents
| QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | ||||||
| ALOE VERA | ||||||
| ALUM | ||||||
| ALUM, H202, ASPIRIN | ||||||
| ALUM, HEATED ON A PIECE OF METAL | ||||||
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | ||||||
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Canker Sore Remedies
"An aphthous ulcer (aka canker sore) is a type of oral ulcer which presents as a painful open sore inside the mouth or upper throat, caused by a break in the mucous membrane. The condition is also known as aphthous stomatitis, and alternatively as "Sutton's Disease," especially in the case of multiple or recurring ulcers.
The term aphtha means ulcer; it has been used for many years to describe areas of ulceration on mucous membranes. Aphthous stomatitis is a condition which is characterized by recurrent discrete areas of ulceration which are almost always painful. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) can be distinguished from other diseases with similar-appearing oral lesions, such as certain viral exanthems or Herpes simplex, by their tendency to recur, and their multiplicity and chronicity. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most common oral conditions. At least 10% of the population suffers from it. Women are more often affected than men. About 30-40% of patients with recurrent aphthae report a family history." (Wikipedia)
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
POPULAR REMEDIES:
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | 37 YEAS |
| ALUM | 26 YEAS |
| ASPIRIN | 22 YEAS |
| BAKING SODA | 10 YEAS |
| SALT | 7 YEAS |
| TOOTHPASTE WITHOUT SLS | 7 YEAS |
| HYDROGEN PEROXIDE | 7 YEAS |
| L-LYSINE | 6 YEAS |
| YOGURT | 5 YEAS |
ALOE VERA
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[YEA] 08/19/2005: Jordan from Binghamton writes: "Aloe Vera is very helpful in the healing process, as is sodium lauryl sulfate elimination."
Replies[YEA] 02/27/2009: jen from corning, NY and Italy replies: "aloe is what did it for me. i have some ingestible pure aloe gel, and put it on there probably 10 times yesterday when I had a nasty canker sore on the underside of my tongue that had been developing already for a few days. I was desperate cuz it was SO painful I could hardly talk. maybe Im a wimp. Anyway, that's all I did and had a good night sleep. Today I hardly feel it at all. "
06/05/2011: Jessica from Monroe, Wa replies: "I tried everything on this website, and another 10 from other sites. Everything from watching my diet and eating healthier, to relaxation methods, switching toothpastes, different rinses, creams, even tried one reccomendation to apply earwax to the lil buggers, I was DESPERATE!!! I continued to get up to 20 canker sores at a time, and as soon as they began to fade, more would appear. I had always gotten canker sores my whole life, but never like this. In one month I lost almost 20 lbs from not being able to eat. MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED DENTAL PASTE(TRIAMCINOLONE 0.1%) tHEY WERE GONE IN 24 HOURS, I was able to eat hours after applying it. They stop new ones from starting if I apply it when I feel them coming on. If you are miserable with these nasty buggers as I was.... Please go to your doctor and get this cream. Which should be made available over the counter as a canker sore treatment, it is truly amazing."
[YEA] 06/10/2011: Mymouthhurts from Edmonds, Wa, Usa replies: "Triamcinolone works for our family. It works in one night, sometimes two. It's a steroidal cream that I have been using for 30 years. My dentist orders the prescription for me. I had to tell him about it though. He hadn't heard of a cure for canker sores. (And he's a professor of dentistry. )"
10/17/2011: Holly from Chicago, Il replies: "Bit the inside of my cheek last week and it got so bad I thought I was going to have to see the doctor. I happened to have some of the TRIAMCINOLONE at home and tried it. It worked IMMEDIATELY. Thanks SO MUCH for the suggestion."
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ALUM
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[YEA] 12/22/2011: Mariana from Roseville, Minnesota writes: "I was surprised to find alum missing from your list of remedies. It would be interesting to see what other folks use this for. It's great for treating canker sores. They go away almost instantly. My mother used this for us when we were kids, and her mother used it too. I think it's a pretty ancient substance that was used widely in the Middle East and Africa. We use the powdered kind that is sold in grocery stores. (It's used in pickling, for crispness. )
Anyhow, what we do to treat a cankersore is merely moisten a Q-tip, and dip it in a very small amount of alum mixed with a teaspoon of warm water. After the alum is on for a few minutes, just rinse your mouth because the alum is very bitter. People also use alum as a mouthwash and to treat gum disease or aching teeth. It's used to treat eczema itching, and styes as well. I'm sure the solution would need to be much milder for use on the eyes, or as a mouthwash, or in treating eczema. Anyway, I hope others might want to mention their experiences with using this common household ingredient. Mariana"
Replies12/23/2011: Robert Henry from Ten Mile, Tn Usa replies: "ALUM us Aluminum Sulfate, ole folks like me made the mistake of using it to make pickles and other canned goods, crisp. All we did is put Aluminum in our brains, which brings on dememtia. I don't have a clue about the use of alum on your skin. Do not use Alum for internal consumption. We all are savvy about transdermal therapy. What you put on your skin goes into your body. Why do you think the chelation clinics are full of auto mechanics who washed parts in leaded gasoline. Now they are trying to get the lead our of their body.Good people there are lots of good intentioned folks posting on this site. Some just don't have a clue. Pay attention.
========ROBERT HENRY============="
[YEA] 01/19/2012: John from Lake Oswego, Oregon replies: "I've been using alum on canker sores as a cure for 30 years and wouldn't use anything else. My whole family uses it."
01/20/2012: Susan from San Francisco, Ca replies: "My grandmother taught me this when I was a kid (I'm 57). I've tried other remedies and the Alum has always been the cure that worked fastest for me."
[YEA] 01/26/2012: Dreamer from Salinas, Ca replies: "I have been using Alum for canker sores for years! I am 31 and started getting canker sores when I was around 7 or 8. My Dad taught me to use alum on them back then (he was a medic in the army & national guard) and I would never use anything else! It hurts to put on but it is so worth it! It numbs the pain for a small amount of time and it heals them super fast! A++"
[YEA] 01/26/2012: Jessica from Waconia, Minnesota replies: "I use Alum for cold sores and canker sores too! It is utterly amazing how fast they disappear with just a couple applications. I refuse to spend money on anything else. Cheapest most effective treatment out there! I tell everyone about it when I can!"
01/26/2012: Maria from Gippsland, Australia replies: "Could someone please tell me what is the Alum that is often refered to here? I have done a search and found that it can be either potassium alum, soda alum (used in baking powder), ferric alum or ammonium alum. Thanks."
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[YEA] 08/26/2011: Mikayla from Toronto, On, Canada writes: "Wow, alum works!
I never get canker sores, but a few days ago, I got itchy red hives on my torso as well as 6 canker sores under my tongue and my cheeks. I've had several surgeries but have never been in such pain in my life! So bizarre that such a little thing can cause so much discomfort.
Anyway, after reading the comments, I tried Alum and so far it's amazing. It has really numbed the canker sores. I can eat!!
My only caution is because it does numb so well, be aware not to bite your cheek accidently. I did that and another canker sore developed; but the overall relief is so worth it."
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 04/27/2011: Kimkat from Hingham, Ma writes: "omg alum - I just applied to 4 cankers in my mouth and the smaller cankers on inside of lips felt a sting and then a little better instantly, achy but a little better---- BUT the almost centimeter size one on tongue- GOD HELP ME THE PAIN IS INTENSE. I couldn't keep the alum on for long for that one, 30 seconds and almost passed out. BUT I will try again~ I drooled like a fool but been doing that all day. I have eaten NOTHING today the pain got so bad and that is with double dose ibuprofen on board for 3 days. Anyone had luck with this stuff and large cankers of the tongue??
I might have to call my doctor for painkillers - this is almost unbearable (yes I have a low threshhold for pain)"
Replies[YEA] 08/05/2011: Daisy from San Francisco, Ca replies: "I've suffered from canker sores since I was six years old and have literally tried EVERYTHING... Over-the-counter, prescriptions. I've even dipped a Q-tip in fingernail polish remover and applied that directly to the sore. (Probably hazardous, I know, but after the insane stinging went away, it actually numbed the sore for quite a while.)I had a canker sore on my tongue for three days that was hurting so much, I couldn't eat or talk. I stumbled upon this thread in my google search for remedies and this was the first time I'd ever heard of alum.
I went to the grocery store, picked some up (in the spice aisle) and went straight home. I dipped a wet Q-tip in the alum and applied it directly to the sore on my tongue. Yes, it stung, but not horrendously (and certainly not as bad as fingernail polish remover --- cannot believe I admitted I did that). There was some drool and whatnot, and fifteen minute later my tongue was throbbing.
I dissolved an asprin directly onto my tongue and SERIOUSLY? THE PAIN ALMOST COMPLETELY WENT AWAY.
I woke up this morning and while the sore is still there, and even bigger, IT DOESN'T HURT.
After dealing with intensely painful canker sores for almost 30 years, I cannot even begin to tell you how happy this makes me. I feel like alum is going to change my life for the better. I know this sounds ridiculous, but one bad canker sore can seriously ruin your week.
THANK YOU EVERYONE!"
[YEA] 09/15/2011: Jennifer from Midland, Michigan replies: "Alum DOES work! My mother has an old jar of crystallized Alum that she has used on all our canker sores forever. I take a piece and set it on the canker sore for several minutes. It not only relieves the pain, but shrinks it and makes it disappear within a day or two. I still use it and use it on my kids now. It does not taste great, but it is worth the results it gives you. Hip, Hip Horray for Alum!!"
[NAY] 12/02/2011: Sfcb1 from San Francisco, Ca Usa replies: "It may be that I discovered this information too late, but I tried the alum solution repeatedly on my latest canker sore (haven't been able to talk or eat pain-free for 5 days now) and it seemed to make it a little worse. It certainly didn't help, although it wasn't as painful as some of the posts here warned it might be. I would have to vote Nay for this one."
12/07/2011: Gilroy from City, Us replies: "Alum isn't meant to be a pain reliever for canker sores. It is meant as a cautry agent so that they burn up and heal faster. It's not going to make the pain go away."
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[YEA] 02/19/2011: Bg from Lakewood, Oh writes: "I'm really prone to canker sores if I bite the inside of my lip, or if my diet becomes too acidic (too much coffee, caffeine, beer, fruits, chocolate, sweets, etc. )
I used to use a prescription paste which I haven't been able to get out here (Kenalog in Orabase? I think) which worked wonders and would quite literally get rid of my sores overnight. Since I've been unable to get that prescription filled, I needed a different remedy, so I went with alum. My only quip with alum is that it tastes NAAAAASTY. Seriously, if you swallow it, you will probably vomit. Bitter, awful, disgusting taste--BUT it works like a dream on canker sores and dries them out after a few applications. I usually daub a bit on the sore with a wet Q-tip, then let it sit there and dry for about five minutes before rinsing out my mouth and/or brushing my teeth (because the taste just sticks to your tongue). The more stubborn sores still take a few days to go away, but the alum seems to alleviate the pain and bring down the swelling and the size of the sore almost immediately. I highly recommend this remedy -- just remember not to swallow or spit it out before your five minutes are up."
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[YEA] 06/01/2010: Pcheeks from Washington, Dc, Usa writes: "I have always had problems with canker sores. I usually just wait it out or apply some numbing gel. This time I got one on my tongue. It was sooo painful and wouldn't go away. I found this website and tried alum. It really really burned the first time I used it. To the point of tears but after 3-4 applications (48 hours) it was gone! I definitely recommend this."
Replies[YEA] 11/18/2010: Lala from Eastern Shore, Va replies: "I used to get canker sores, but then I started taking vitamins, particularly a multi-B, plus C and I've never had them since. My doctor recommended the multi-B, plus C supplement. The B also has a nice side effect of improving my complexion overall. For a quick cure, however, I used to put salt on them - it would burn like heck, but then the sore would go away the next day. I also think a crushed vitamin C tablet would be good."
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[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 11/12/2009: Liz from Hudson Valley, New York writes: "I had a canker sore that was at the peak of inflammation and pain and I decided to try putting Alum on it last night as recommended here to stop the pain. I bought the crystallized kind from the spice section of the grocery store and licked my finger, dabbed it it the alum and then dabbed it on the sore and let it sit/dry/sink in for 5 minutes.
OH MY GOD - it hurt like nobody's business which I could tolerate, but then for the next hour it made my entire jaw, neck and ear area throb with terrible pain which I could not tolerate. I ended up taking pain relievers and going to bed several hours early just to stop the pain with sleep. I have not been in such agonizing pain for many years. It felt like a migraine and an earache and a toothache all at once.
However, today my canker sore has been very tender but noticeably less painful (i've also been on pain meds all day because I'm a bit scarred by what happened last night). The sore also seems to be healing. I honestly am not sure if I can recommend the alum or not, given the positive effects today and the horrible effects last night."
09/02/2010: Splendor from Chandler, Az replies: "I have the alum on my canker sores now, so we'll see. But last night I placed an asprin pill on each of the 2 cankers that I have in my mouth; seriously just hold it on top of the sore, between your cheek and gum until it just begins to dissolve, then spit it out and rinse. This totally numbs it for like 12 hours, then apply the alum because it barely stings at all. Hope the alum does the trick! :o)"
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 10/09/2009: Kathleen from Newport Beach, Ca writes: "Ok! When I'm stressed I bite the inside of my mouth. Yuck!! I know! This can lead to the MOTHER of all canker sores. My dear friend just told me to dab alum into the canker sore, hold the affected area out so it can settle into canker sore and not be washed away by saliva. Let me explain. What I have going is a flipping cluster of sores( 12 in total. SERIOUSLY!!) A few are about 1/4 x 3/8. No I'm not joking. So I apply the alum out of desperation. I'm in constant pain, my lips aren't working. Drool is running down my chin(SEXY right?) AND i CAN'T eat. Ok the alum feels like flipping battery ACID. I want to rip half my face off. Who cares that it tastes viley bitter-it REALLY hurts. It does not sting. Serious PAIN. After about 20 minutes half my lower jaw is numb. Thank God!!! It feels a little swollen. I look in the mirror and honest to God it looks like I've just had half of my mouth pumped up with whatever that crap is that make you look like a freak of nature! I live in newport beach-the land of the plastic fantastic. Please tell me that this will subside and I won't look like a middle aged woman having a midlife crisis and a budget to only cover half the job! Frickin' Y-I-K-E-S !!!!!!!!"
Replies[SIDE EFFECTS] 11/07/2009: Man0fsteel from Redondo Beach, Ca, USA replies: "Okay, so I get canker sores every so often, esp. when I don't get enough sleep. This particular monster sore on my lower lip started when I severely bit into my lower lip TWICE on the same spot a week ago. No signs of healing. And they usually do after a week. Not this one. So someone suggested Alum. A quick search online brings me here where there is a lot of positive feedback. So I put the Alum on and like the above post, the pain is pretty intense. Tears are leaking involuntarily out of my eyes. 5 minutes go by and I rinse it off. It's now about 30 min after and the sore feels like it's twice the previous size. Totally swollen. And it's throbbing like no tomorrow. If it gets better, I'll be shocked, but I will report if it does in the morning."
11/07/2009: Alice from Shingle Springs, Ca, U.S.A. replies: "Smashing up a lysine (a particular amino acid) tab and making a paste with water and applying it to the sore is reported to relieve it. Totally non-toxic."
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[YEA] 01/30/2009: Ben from Rochester, NY writes: "Yes to Using Alum found at the grocery store in the spices section. I read the comments about canker sores on here. Thank God for nice people! Apply it with a wet Q-tip on Sore. It will sting but the after effects are worth it! Thanksabunch"
Replies07/13/2009: Sharon from Moose Jaw, SK replies: "alum is also used in playdough"
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[WARNING!] 01/18/2009: Sid from Salmon Arm, BC, Canada writes: "Alum is a form of aluminum. Oral injestion of aluminum can cause canker sores. Do you really want to do that? The reason it works may be the same reason that the mercuric ointment my mom used to put on my rashes ( I later found out that I was mercury toxic) got rid of my rash. Apparently, it makes it go deeper into your body, thereby getting rid of the eruption on the surface."
RepliesEC: More about this here: http://www.ochef.com/1080.htm
02/14/2009: Chris from St louis, MO replies: "Alum has nothing to do with alumnium; how on earth do you labor under that delusion?"
EC: Best answer we could find on the alum used in cooking:
http://www.ochef.com/1080.htm
"Alum is a salt that in chemistry is a combination of an alkali metal, such as sodium, potassium, or ammonium and a trivalent metal, such as aluminum, iron, or chromium. The most common form, potassium aluminum sulfate, or potash alum, is one form that has been used in food processing. Another, sodium aluminum sulfate, is an ingredient in commercially produced baking powder. (Have you never noticed the faint metallic taste in baking powder? It comes from the alum.)The potassium-based alum has been used to produce crisp cucumber and watermelon-rind pickles as well as maraschino cherries, where the aluminum ions strengthen the fruits' cell-wall pectins.
Alum is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a food additive, but in large quantities well, an ounce or more it is toxic to humans. As a result, efforts have been made and are being made to wean us of our alum dependency. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that if good quality produce and modern canning methods are employed, there is no need to use alum to bolster the crispness of our pickles and cherries. In any event, t"he department says, even if alum is used to soak the pickles, it should not be used in the final pickling liquid.
06/01/2009: Dan from Grand Rapids, MI replies: "The reason alum works is that it is an astringent, not because it forces anything into your body."
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[YEA] 10/06/2008: Saskia from Takoma Park, MD, USA writes: "I had started taking apple cider vinegar twice a day, and after two days noticed the beginning of a canker sore. It didn't hurt yet, so I checked this site, then went out and got some Alum in the grocery store. I did as someone else suggested and wetted my finger, then dipped it into the alum, and then held it on the canker sore for about 5 minutes. Because I caught my canker sore so early, it didn't really sting at all.
I did that twice the first day, and again twice on the second day. It never hurt at all, and it got a little larger at first, but then started receding, and now 4 days later, its basically gone! I'm so happy with the Alum cure! I used to spend a whole week in agony thinking there was no way to help it- I love this website!"
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[YEA] 08/09/2008: Cblhris from Bloomington, IN writes: "I am apparently one of those peoplt that are particularly susceptible to canker sores. I have tried many remedies, but the best by far is the alum. It stings a bit of first, but after one application the canker sore pain is gone. After two, the lesion is gone. Having used it dozens of times, I can say that if you don't mind the sting, alum is the only way to go!!"
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[YEA] 07/22/2008: Bonnie from Magalia, California writes: "Hello, I was on your sight last night and was reading your cures and remembered my Mom's.Since I currently have a huge ulcer under my tong I got out the alum(a pickeling product used to make pickles) and wet a Qtip and dabed it on everytime I thought of it for about 12 hours and my sore is gone. Good ol Mom! Not sure where you can get alum because mine is from 1965 and it still works and still tastes terrible! Hope this helps someone."
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[YEA] 06/07/2008: Kellye from Long Beach, CA writes: "Wow, thank goodness for this website. I had been suffering for 3 days with two annoying cankers. I researched online and it seemed there was no cure or relief. I stumbled upon this website and I am happy to say with a combination of alum crystals rubbed gently on the sores followed by a light paste of aspirin, literally within 4 hrs the cankers no longer hurt and they are subsiding. Yeah! I highly recommend this combo."
Replies[YEA] 08/31/2011: Lyn from Springfield, Vermont replies: "Exactly that is what I did too.. A few friends over the years have suggested the Alum.. About a year ago I went as far as to buy a small container of it.. The powdered kind.. It tasted terrible and burned like crazy so that was that.. I have been having these darn cankers ever since I gave up smoking 4 1/2 years ago.. I get them off and on.. And when I do get them they last for months.. Tonight I forced myself to deal with the pain and eat my supper.. It was very painful.. But I got thru it..I have been reading this site and decided that the alum couldn't hurt anymore then the acid from my spaghetti had.. So I got brave and wet my finger and held it on the sore under my tongue.. It burned wicked bad.. I thought ya right this is going to work.. Still hurting and throbbing I tried the aspirin.. Held it to the sore till it disolved and didn't rinse my mouth.. Still just letting it disolve and swollowing as needed till the aspirin is gone..
Its amazing after doing this the pain had gone.. I can't believe it.. Will report back tomorrow and see how it is then.. All I can say is its worth a try.. It seems to have worked for me so far.. Good luck.."
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[YEA] 05/14/2008: Hailey from Chilliwack, Canada writes: "YES alum really works! My braces will often give me canker sores. My wires would always split the canker in two AS it grows, so whenever I open my mouth it pulls on the canker. I put alum in it and the next day it had completely decreased in size and no longer hurt. After two days it was completely gone!"
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[YEA] 10/09/2006: Joy from Oklahoma City, OK writes: "I'VE SUFFERED WITH CANKER SORES FOR 40 YEARS AND HAVE TRIED ALMOST EVERYTHING. I READ ABOUT ALUM ON YOUR WEBSITE AND DECIDED TO TRY IT ON THE 4 LESIONS I HAD THAT WERE AS LARGE AS A PENCIL ERASER. 3 HOURS AFTER APPLYING THE ALUM, I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE PAIN RELIEF. THE SORES STILL TOOK TIME TO HEAL BUT I WAS ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING I WANTED AND HAD VIRTUALLY NO PAIN DURING THE HEALING PERIOD. A WEEK LATER I FELT ANOTHER SORE STARTING. I APPLIED THE ALUM AND IT WAS GONE THE NEXT MORNING."
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[YEA] 08/11/2006: Jennifer writes: "I tried the alum as suggested for my canker sore. It was really sore and I couldn't take it so I decided to give this a try. I got it at the grocery store for about a dollar. I got the granulated stuff and just put a little pinch on the sore. I felt immediate relief after I rinsed. The pain has definitely lessened a lot overall and I am able to eat with little pain. It has only been about 12 hours since I did it. Another try and it might be completely better! Thanks!! PS it tastes bad and stings a little but definitely worth it."
Replies06/09/2008: Debbie from Toronto, Canada replies: "I have not tried alum as yet but was told that it"s good for tightening the skin. I just don't know were to get it to buy in Toronto so this is my question, were do I get alum to buy? so that I can comment back on how it works. please write back to let me know."
EC: Alum is sold in the spice section of grocery stores.
[YEA] 02/06/2012: Farooq from Cornwall, Ontario, canada replies: "I have been getting cankers since I moved to Canada. Have seen many many Doctors but nothing helped.But then I read about sodium lauryl sulfate found in most of toothpastes was one of the reason for Cankers. I stopped using those toothpastes and thank God I do not get it very often, as I was use to get it about twice a month.
But once in a while I will get it. This time it was on my tongue I read it on this website about Alum and bought it from Food basics. Used it once and seems to be very helpful."
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[YEA] 08/09/2006: Teri from Denham Springs writes: "okay... I tried the ALUM yesterday for a canker sore I have on my upper lip and YES it burned like a mother but today it hardly hurts at all!! I have one on my tongue too but that one seems to still bother me... I am going to put the alum on it again today.. so with my fingers crossed I hope it will help that one too. I did have my drug store order me some Rembrant toothpaste without that SLS in it. The net rated that one the #1 choice. I'll try anything!"
Replies05/14/2010: Brandi from Newport Beach, Ca replies: "Rembrandt w/o SLS? What does that mean?
Also I think the conflicting alum reports are because there are different forms of alum. There are 3 I believe, but I bought ammonium alum and it hurt so badly I wanted to bite my tongue off. But I believe the alum most of these people are talking about is potassium based alum. So I'm ordering some of that and hopefully it will be less painful then my first attempt. We'll see!"
EC: It's a toothpaste brand that doesn't contain sodium laureth sulfate.
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[YEA] 04/21/2006: Dan from Dayton, Ohio writes: "I have used alum for canker sores for nearly 3 decades. The alum is usually found in the spice section of grocery stores. I have found from experience that the granulated version is much better than the powder, which often dissolves too quickly in your mouth to do the job properly. I have found the best method is to wet the end of a finger, then dip the finger into the alum granules. This should get quite a lot of them to stick to your finger. Then make sure that the canker sore is thoroughly wetted, and press the finger with the alum crystals against the sore. Hold it there for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. It also helps if you lay down while doing this, and orient the cold sore so that it is up, and not down. This helps keep the inevitable saliva from washing away the alum too quickly. I have found that if I don't lay down and do this, I often have to do the treatment twice. However, by doing this, often a single treatment causes the sore to go into remission within 12 hours. I have often treated the sore when going to bed, and woke up to find it no longer hurting, and on the mend the next morning. This seems to be the most reliable and cheapest way to get rid of canker sores."
Replies08/15/2010: Mrsouch from Pitttsburgh, Pa replies: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Have not eaten or drank in 24 hours for the pain on the underside of my tongue. I did the alum and powdered an aspirin. I'll let you know in the morning."
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[YEA] 04/14/2006: Eddy from Springfield, VA writes: "I have used alum ever since I was a child. I had a lot of canker sores during childhood. It tastes terribly and does burn a little but the canker sore is usually gone with a couple of days. I have not been able to find it lately but I will check the spice section in the grocery store as suggested. I have tried everything over the years, and this works the best! The only thing is to make sure you put the top on tight as it will dry out!"
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[YEA] 07/14/2005: Stacey from St. Paul, Minnesota writes: "I use a cooking spice called Alum on my canker sores and it helps heal them really fast and takes away the pain. It tastes awful and you must let it sit for a min to absorb but it really does help."
Replies[YEA] 05/11/2010: Michael from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma replies: "My grandmother used to apply alum to our canker sores when we were kids. She kept a bottle in her night stand next to her 38. The alum hurt like the dickens, but it always seemed to work. We never knew if the 38 was plan B, or just in case the pain from the alum was too much to bear."
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ALUM, H202, ASPIRIN
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[SIDE EFFECTS] 05/17/2008: BC Boy from Smithers, Canada writes: "Remedy Side Effects for Canker Sores: I found Earth Clinic while googling for a canker sore remedy. I was relieved to find so many positive responses to these remedies. So I went and picked up several of the remedies hoping at least one would work as good as stated. I started with Alum. I dabbed a wet finger into the powder and applied it to the 4cm canker sore inside my bottom left gum. At first it stung like salt on an open wound. Then it subsided to the feeling of a butcher knife cutting into my gum. After a half an hour of this I rinsed my mouth out with water and spend 15min in front of the bathroom mirror applying H202 with a q-tip. The pain of applying the H202 eventually subsided to a pounding throb. My mouth was watering so bad I had to stuff kleenex inside my gums to dam the flood. The H202 eventually stopped sizzling so I rinsed and tolerated the dull throbbing ache for 1/2 hr. Finally I applied crushed aspirin to the sore. the aspirin burned but not as much as the alum. My mouth was now feeling like I'd been punched in the face.... twice. My bottom lip was puffy and my gums were numb everywhere except for the sore. I tolerated that for another 15min and finally rinsed the aspirin out with a cold budweiser. It's now been 2hrs later and I'm on my 7th beer and the pain has almost completedly subsided in the past 10min. So far the side affects of the treatment has been tolerable. Hopefully my head won't hurt as bad as my mouth in the morning...."
Replies11/22/2008: Lorik from Blacksburg, Va, USA replies: "WOW talk about an overachiever.. I'm not sure why one would do all three remedies at once.. good grief Charlie Brown!!!"
11/28/2008: Juanita from N.O. , La. USA replies: "OMG... I really believe you over did this, my friend!
I always use Alum at the first sign of a fever blister. All I need to do is wet my finger then touch it to the Alum and apply this mix to the sore for about 15 seconds. It stops the sore in its tracks. You can also use this if you bite your tongue or get a 'lie' bump (swollen taste bud)... It works for me everytime! My neice who is prone to fever blisters found she can keep her outbreaks at a minimum by taking an L-Lysine supplement daily! Juanita"
07/01/2009: CC from Las Cruces, NM replies: "You are too funny! I know what you mean when you just can't take it anymore and you are willing to try anything! You really ARE willing to try anything! Cheers to you!"
07/02/2009: Tricia from Ireland replies: "I can't stop laughing. Next time try hitting 7 beers before you start your remedies."
12/08/2009: Susan from Mcloud, Oklahoma, US replies: "OMG, THIS was my LAUGH for the day; SO hilarious! Please forgive me for getting my pleasure from your pain...(literally) but talk about DETERMINATION!!! Seriously, only one who has suffered with cold sores can testify to the utter miserableness. I'm THINKING mine might have come from drinking too much orange juice along with 1 or 2 oranges daily w/my 1-2 TBL ACV. I used to be plagued w/them in my younger years quite frequently (inside the mouth is the worst). However, this one is inside my nose and right below it. I'm going to try the SLS free toothpaste and see how that works. This is my first post on this site that I have been lurking on for the last year or so; this is a great place to come for whatever ails you. I appreciate this site and all its contributors. The "posts" AFTER the story were so funny, too."
08/07/2010: Jessica from Jefferson City, Mo, Usa replies: "Gargling with a shot of Jamison has helped mine, along with alum & gargling with peroxide. Jamison worked better than the OTC numbing spray."
09/03/2010: Anonymousme from Flint, Michigan Usa replies: "Anyone else find it funny that the pain subsided after 7 beers? As if Alcohol doesn't have a dulling affect :-p So I submit that his post isn't very helpful since one cannot tell if it was the remedies or the alcohol that caused the pain to subside."
09/04/2010: Kay from In The Valley, Ca replies: "Hey, I'm thinking 7 beers might be the cure for a lot of things, maybe we should start a new catagory here........... Maybe......... Party animal pain relief remedies! I'm sure it would be a relief for insomniacs! It would sure put me to sleep!!! Very funny post, thank you so much for making us smile!!"
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ALUM, HEATED ON A PIECE OF METAL
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[YEA] 11/30/2009: Dave from Austin, Tx writes: "Alum for fever blister/cold sore/canker sore
Thought I might help those of you who are suffering with cold sores etc. As a child I 'suffered' with this malady on occassion. When ever it happened, I would tell my mom and she would immediately reach into the kitchen spices for the alum. This is the new information which I have not seen on any site thus far. Before using the alum mom would put a small amount on a disposable piece of metal (usually the top removed from a can of vegetables) and heat the alum to the point where all the moisture is driven from the alum powder. At this point the alum will crystallize on the can lid (This is what I learned to call burnt alum). Allow to cool. Once the crystallized alum has cooled, take a spoon and crush the burnt alum and apply as described elsewhere. As mentioned alum is an astringent, and the value of this process is to improve the astingent properties of the alum. As with those who have used this remedy regularly, I also had complete relief within two days."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
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[WARNING!] 12/12/2011: Julie from Boston, Ma, Usa writes: "I have Celiac disease which means my body rejects/can not process wheat/barley gutens) One of my symptoms after exposure to wheat are canker sores, I use to suffer from them constantly before I fully cut out wheat. Now I do not eat any wheat or gluten products on purpose, but I live in a gluten filled world so sometimes the slightest bit will slip into a food I eat or personal care product and when that happens: hello cankers!
This weekend I was glutened so I decided to try ACV and am now able to say with certainty that my cankers are not caused by bacteria. The bad news? I now look like I lost a fight with a fist! The pain went away, but the lip became swollen at an alarming rate. I used a salt wash to clear the Viniger and now have an aspirin sitting on a sore. The swelling seems to be going down already.
If you too suffer with cankers from Celiac issues, take caution as celiac cankers are most likely an acid issue and not bacteria. Too bad I didn't read that before the fat lip!"
Replies12/12/2011: Darlene from Kewaskum, Usa replies: "My husband has suffered from Canker sores for many years. They would pop up almost immediately with certain tomato products and raw red high acid tomatoes. When we learned about baking soda for balancing pH, the logical conclusion was to use it to fight the canker sores. I can testify that if he knows one is on the way, the baking soda water will stop it in its tracks. You may want to try that."
02/10/2012: Angela from Las Vegas, Nv replies: "The reason for your flare up is you probably have a fungal infection. Vinegar is a mycotoxin which is what fungi use as enzyme to destroy matter so they can absorb the nutrient.The most common fungi in humans is candida which can infect in both a yeast and fungal form. The fact that you have celiac is a huge red flag for fungal infection. Just look up doug kaufmann's website for more details and for a temporary diet that kills fungi off. I bet your flare up's happen the most after you have yeasty bread like cinnamon rolls."
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[YEA] 03/06/2011: Cindy from Huntington, In writes: "I start taking apple cider vinegar in a glass of apple juice every morning because I had just heard that it was good for you and thought I'd try it. Well I always had about 3 canker sores in my mouth at a time, it was seldom that I didn't have at least one, I have been drinking the ACV daily for about a year now and I hardly ever get them, if I do, they don't last. If I skip a couple days I am sure to have a canker sore. It doesn't make since that drinking something that acidic keeps them away but I'm so thankful that it does!"
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