Effective Remedies For Fever Blisters Or Canker Sores

Also avoid acidic, spicy, and salty foods. This will help reduce pain during eating. And check that your toothpaste does not contain SLS. If it does, use another type.

For sores around the mouth, try to minimize stretching or chapping of the skin. Toddlers with fever blisters will often lick the sores — sometimes multiple times a minute — to relieve the pain.

The moisture of the saliva temporarily soothes the area, but as soon as the air dries it, the skin becomes drier and more irritated. Eventually, the skin will crack, making it prone to secondary infection by bacteria.

In older children, cleaning the surface of the ulcer and removing excess debris can sometimes speed healing. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used for cleaning, but this is generally not advised in younger children, because it can be uncomfortable. Look out: a toddler who fights you during the application of hydrogen peroxide may bite you.

One of the easiest and best remedies to minimize pain is “magic mouthwash” . This mixture of Children’s Benadryl Allergy Liquid and Maalox coats the sores, reducing inflammation and protecting them from saliva and other contents of the mouth.

To prevent future canker sores, lactobacillus acidophilus may be helpful. This probiotic protects the mucous membranes in the body, helping to ward off secondary bacterial infections. Acidophilus can be found in yogurt, but make sure that the label reads “with live cultures.”

When does my doctor need to be involved?

Call your doctor if the sores are causing so much pain that they are limiting eating or drinking. If you think the area around the sores is infected with bacteria, let your doctor know. In this case, you may notice bright red skin and sometimes even pus.

What tests need to be done, and what do the results mean?

Generally speaking, tests are unnecessary with canker sores and fever blisters. If an associated illness is suspected, your doctor may do tests to look for evidence of that illness. But canker sores and fever blisters themselves can be diagnosed just by inspection.