Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcers/Blisters

Blisters or sores in the mouth are very common in people. Although this condition is not dangerous, but for the person this condition becomes very irritating and frustrating as the person is unable to talk or eat without feeling pain in the mouth. When the blisters manifest, they can be few and arranged in the soft mucoid part of the mouth like the inner part of the lips and inner area of the cheek, or there may be single blister on the tip of the tongue. In all cases, eating and speaking becomes painful.

There are two common types of mouth ulcer or mouth blisters:

1. Cold Sores: Cold sores or fever blisters are small red, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, or nose. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are supposed to be highly contagious.
2. Canker Sores: Canker sores are painful sores inside the mouth which are usually red or may sometimes have a white coating over them. They are different from cold sores, which usually occur on the outer lip.  These sores are generally due to allergies to certain types of food, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

What are the causes?

The cause of the mouth ulcer can be several and in most cases it is difficult to accurately diagnose the actual cause of the condition. Some of the common reasons are:

• A pre-existing dormant herpes infection which gets active from time to time. The virus may get activated during stressful situations, traveling and dusty environment.
• Indigestion and constipation along with putrefaction of food inside the body. When we eat food which is not properly digested, many times the combination of putrefying food and constipation leads to mouth blisters.
• Deficiency of B complex and zinc.
• Deficiency of iron.
• Weak immunity co-existing with other diseases including blood disorders.
• Eating foods which have a hot 'tasir' like mango, dry fruits, fried foods etc.
• Eating foods made in oil which is of a bad quality (typically namkeens and fried nuts can be the offenders).
• In some cases papaya or pineapple may irritate the mucosa, but it usually happens with some other co-offenders like bad oil etc.

What can I do?

When mouth ulcer strike, it is not only painful but very uncomfortable. During this time one can follow the following remedies:

• Gargle and rinse the mouth with water containing zinc. One can break a capsule of zinc in water and rinse the mouth with that water. Topical zinc application helps in some conditions.
• Drink aloe vera juice on an empty stomach. Aloe vera juice is lubricating and creates a coating to protect the blister, besides that it is also very cooling and healing for mucous surfaces.
• Drink rose sherbet or any rose drink. In case the blisters are due to heat in the body, the rose concoction will certainly help as rose is very cooling for the body.
• Taking B complex, zinc and iron tablets may not have any immediate effect but in the long run if the blisters are due to a deficiency then they will assist in decreasing the frequency of the attacks.
• Rinsing the mouth with neem (Indian lilac) water will disinfect the mouth without causing any burning. Similarly rinsing the mouth with a decoction of haldi (turmeric) boiled and cooled in water will have an antiseptic effect.
• Use a towel soaked in ice-cold water and salt to lightly dab the blisters as often as possible during the course of your day.
• Garlic oil is a very effective disinfectant. Apply garlic oil to the blisters regularly.
• Taking a mild laxative sometimes works very well, especially if the blisters are due to a toxin accumulation in the stomach. In case the blister is due to a bad stomach then the laxative helps within 24 hours.
• Avoid stressful situations as the formation of mouth blisters is closely related to stress and a weakened immune system. Avoid stressful and traumatic situations.
• Avoid foods or beverages that may aggravate the mouth sores. This includes foods that are spicy, acidic (e.g., citrus fruits or fruit juice), sharp/crunchy (e.g., pretzels, potato chips) or too hot. Consuming alcohol or caffeine may also irritate the lining of the mouth.

Although mouth ulcer arising due to hot liquids or spicy foods is a common phenomenon, these can be easily treated at home and more often, they can be left alone to heal on its own.