My nearly four year old son has suffered from painful canker sores for at least the past year or two, if not longer. Really, since he's been old enough to tell me his mouth hurt. He gets them at least once every couple of months (sometimes more), and they take over a week to heal each time.
I've mentioned them to his pediatrician before and she told me he had probably contracted the herpes simplex virus (by kissing someone with a cold-sore, for example), but he has never had any of the other symptoms such as bleeding, swollen gums and sores on the outer lips. Not to mention the fact that I would NEVER allow him to kiss someone with a cold-sore. Eeew!!
He just gets canker sores. A lot.
My pediatrician also suggested that maybe I only THINK they're canker sores when really it's just some sort of mouth trauma. But honestly, I know what a canker sore looks like. They're very distinctive and I've gotten them myself in the past (maybe one a year, if that).
What I'm trying to figure out is why he's getting so many. I've read that they can be an allergic reaction to about a MILLION different types of food, but how can I possibly narrow that down when he can sometimes go weeks and weeks without one? Sure, I'd probably figure it out by the time he leaves for college, but I need help now!
Another supposed "cause" is emotional stress or anxiety, so let me put that one to rest now by saying that he's a very laid-back, well-adjusted little boy without a thing in the world to be anxious about. I've read it could be a vitamin deficiency, but what kind? He takes Flinstones every day and eats a fairly balanced diet.
I'm completely at a loss. Any ideas you might have on what's causing the sores and how I can relieve some of his pain would be great. I've tried Orajel on my own canker sores in the past and it didn't do a thing for me, so are there any other remedies/pain relievers?
Thanks ladies!
Thanks so much to everyone that took the time to share their advice. It turns out that my son's toothpaste does contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate so switching that out will be the very first thing we try. I also think I'll steer clear of citrus for a while and see if that helps as well. I know my brother got a mouthful of sores when he ate a grapefruit once, so it's definitely a possibility. I've also noticed that my son tends to get canker sores (sometimes more than one) right after he's had a fever, so perhaps that's just the way his body reacts.
Anyway, thanks again for all your wonderful help. Hopefully now that I've isolated some of the possible triggers for his canker sores, I can reduce the amount he gets. And now I'm armed and ready with a number of different treatments to ease his pain and promote quick healing when he does get a sore.
You ladies are truly the best!
If he drinks orange juice that can definitely cause canker sores. My son had the same issue and it was the oj.
Good Luck.
I used to get canker sores when I was little, but they stopped when I was around 10 or 11, and I haven't had one since. The fastest way to fix them is baking soda. It neutralizes the acid that aggravates them and makes it feel better almost instantly! It doesn't sting- you think it's going to, but it doesn't :) It tastes a bit gross, but works like a charm. Hope this helps!
Hi S.,
Go ahead and do more research on canker sores and vitamin deficiency on the internet. I stumbled on this info a while back but forgot it. Flintstones may not be cutting it. Some individuals do not get as much nutrients out of food than others (as easily) and you may have to boost his levels of something, more than an average multi.
Acid content of foods can make canker sores worse...so watch out for this too!
Hi Stef,
My daughter who is now 11 has been getting canker sores for many years now, I too have the same problem. It is a virus in their systems, as you know there is really no cure for a virus it just needs to run it's course.
We do use a "mixture" of bendryl, malox and oralgel together, per direction of our pediatrician and this seems to work. But dont beat yourself up about the cause, because truly some kids just have the virus... I did/do as well.
good luck..
Hello,
I had canker sores as a child and my dentist said stay away from nuts and citrus. Now my daughter gets them and she always has them. She stays away from nuts because I do notice they are worse when she has peanuts. I have her rinse with Peroxyl 1-2 times per day and that helps a little bit. I talked to her Pediatric Dentist recently and he said it is hard to know what causes them, most of the time it is a food allergy, but is hard to pinpoint. He suggested when the sores hurt a lot to make a mixture of Mylanta and Benedryl (both liquid). They sooth and take away the pain so they can at least do their activities or get to sleep.
K.
My daughter got these from her toothpaste!
Apparently a lot of people do from the sodium laurel phosphate in toothpaste. There are brands out there that don't have it. Trader Joe's has one. It's worth a try.
B.
Hi S.,
it can be so frustrating when doctors don't take time to actually listen to you! Here's a link to mayoclinic - pretty good, reliable info... You may have already been here... But just in case you haven't here it is: http://mayoclinic.com/health/canker-sore/DS00354
good luck!
Hey S., I am so sorry that your son is dealing with this, They are painful! I will go and get him tested to see if he is allergic to anything that may be making him get these. I would go to another doctor to ask for advise because I know that there are medicines that can be used for them, I just don;t know if your son may be too young, Have him try to gargle with warm salt water to help it heal faster.. Canker sores are so different than herpes, YOu can maybe get some advise from a Dentist.. I hope you guys find something that may help...
My daughter is going to be 8 years old in December and has gotten canker sores pretty frequently since she was a toddler. My husband has the same problem, however, it was finally diagnosed while he was in the army that it was caused by citrus (after his whole mouth filled with canker sores after eating an orange). His body doesn't handle the acid from citrus well, it's like his body doesn't break it down fast enough. In effort to lower the frequency of canker sores, my husband and my daughter just try to stay away from citrus that is highly acidic...like oranges, lemons, pineapple, etc. They both love citrus, but after all of the pain they have gone through with canker sores, they just try not to eat citrus. Just thought I'd share what has been causing canker sores in my family. If my husband didn't have the same problem and hadn't been diagnosed, I probably wouldn't have ever figured out that's what was causing problems with my daughter....
First off, my daughter gets cold sores. The traditional type on her lips. She most likely caught the virus from her father. The kicker is, she caught it when he had no symptoms. Nothing at all. So, it's possible that your pediatrician is correct and it is the herpes virus.
Second, if it is just mouth sores you could try having him swish with salt water when he gets them. I know it sounds counter intuative, but for some reason the salt water helps the mouth heal things like that faster. It's a remedy that was shared with me by my doctor. And since it's not a medicine, you don't have to worry about side effects.
Good luck and I hope you find something that helps him out. It's hard to see you child hurting.
For treatment of cold sores, go to your health food store,and buy Super Lysine+ by Quantum Health. It is an all natural remedy and it truly works. Often times by the next day or at most 2 days and the sores are healed. It also provides immediate relief for the pain / discomfort. I get mine at Sprouts. You can use it on kids too.
My 5 kids have a reaction to every toothpaste except Colgate. Talk to your dentist. Crest and Aqua Fresh are especially bad for causing canker sores.
I sometimes get them as a result of eating too much sugar. Maybe watch and see if you can link up the occurances with a higher than normal sugar intake.
I don't know who your ped. is, but canker sores are NOT related in ANY way to cold sores/herpes virus!! I can't believe someone told you that! Herpes virus causes cold sores/fever blisters which occur outside the mouth and are totally different.
Canker sores are ulcers inside the mouth. Lots of things can cause them. I've never heard of the "emotional/stress" connection - that applies to cold sores usually, not ulcers. Acidic foods can be a culprit - eliminate citrus, ketchup, soda, juices, chocolate, tomato sauces, etc. Does your son like milk? A glass of milk (or even chocolate milk) each morning is helpful. My mom also used to have me hold a milk-of-magnesia tablet on the sore and let it melt.
Also, if your son has a tendency to chew on his lip or inside of his cheek, those little cuts often become ulcers. He might even be doing this while sleeping; lots of kids grind their teeth, chew, etc. at night. If he's a fast eater and prone to biting his cheeks, that causes them, too. Try to add more milk to his diet, especially when he has ulcers - it is soothing. If he gets one in an accessible place (like inside his lower lip) holding an ice cube there can also be soothing.
There is a product by Bayer called SM33 that works, however I've only bought it in Australia and it's not sold here. (But SM33 totally burns! It really hurts the first few seconds, but then it's worth it! Even if I could find it here, I don't think I'd give it to a child!)
Talk to your dentist.
PS - Zovirax (cream or pills) can be prescribed for herpes virus, but I've never heard of it being used for canker sores.
I second several ideas that others mentioned.
Lysine. Even though it is for cold sores, it may help.
If you want to try switching toothpaste, toothsoap.com has a lot of information.
Also, a homeopath would "love" that symptom. It would help them find your son's constitutional remedy. I know a good one if you are interested.
You got quite the variety of answers, here's mine...
I got lots of canker sores as a kid. I used alum (found in the baking isle with the spices) on them and they went away the next day. It does sting a little.
I read it was a vitamin B deficiency which may be why you found it had something to do with stress since B6 helps with that.
Hope that helps your little guy.
Hi S.,
My husband and daughter have had them regularly for years. Since they take L-lysine daily they have subsided. An alkaline diet may help also. We all seem to get them when we have a lack of sleep over a few days, so stress and lack of sleep can make your body more susceptible to the virus.
t that time I bacame a victim of relentless attacks of cold sores. SO severe that my lips are scarred to this day. The family doctor we had at the time was stumped. Finally at his wits end he re-vaccinated me with the old small pox vaccine. It did the trick- I have never had another canker or cold sore. I don't know how this might help your situation but maybe if you mention it to your pediatrician there might be something they can do with todays drugs that might achieve the same result.
Good Luck and God Bless
Hi S., You may never get an answer to why your son gets those nasty things. My husband used to get them all the time and passed that lovely trait onto our son. The only thing we found to work is Zovirax. At first it was our dentist that perscribed it for us. Later our doctor would fill it for us. It's quite $$$ so I have to admit that now we get it in Mexico. My husband no loner gets the cold sores, my son rarely gets then any longer (he's now 20) so maybe your little guy will grow out of them. I'm so sorry... I remember those days. Try getting an Rx for Zovirax... It's wonderful!
HI S., Try to pay attention to what he eats just before he gets them. Like I get sores in my mouth after eating things like strawberries and pineapple. Maybe it's a reaction to the acids or something. I hope you find out what it is...good luck!
Canker sores can often be caused by an upset stomach. A dietary aid that can help is papaya. It is natural and safe for children, adults, even pregnant women. Papaya is great for heartburn too. The GNC sells a papaya extract that is really good with no crazy additives. It runs around $6 for a bottle of 200. Try the papaya with your son and his canker sores may clear up much faster.
Good Luck!
My son had a similar thing happen to him earlier this year. My naturalpath thought it could be an unbalanced gut, which causes the sores in the mouth. Here is part of the email she sent to me.
I would recommend that you stop the multi-vitamin for several weeks and concentrate on good, wholesome, unprocessed foods.
Yes, it will be difficult to keep the child on this diet. A yeast overgrowth in the gut causes him to crave the foods that are harmful. It would be better for him not to eat anything than to consume simple carbohydrates. It will only make his situation worse. I have attached a handout called the "Opioid Cycle" that explains how his addiction works. Unfortunately, as his parent, you will need to practice not only "Tough Love" but also "Tough Diet". You may need to put other family members on the same diet so that he will not be tempted to eat what he sees others eating.
Have you tried Melaleuca oil? It will heal the canker sores much faster than anything else. There is also Melaleuca oil in our toothpaste and if you'd have him brush with it daily, the Melaleuca oil will help to keep the canker sores at bay. How do I know? I used to get canker sores if I got bad migraines and since I started brushing with our toothpaste, they are hardly ever popping up. You can call me at ###-###-#### for more information.
Sandy
Sounds like vitamin deficiency to me - remember sailors used to eat limes (citrus) to avoid scurvy - a type of mouth sore disease due to lack of vitamin C - the most natural and safe source of vitamin C, a full profile of B vitamins, plus amino acids to make them bio-available comes from the Amazon rainforest. It's called Camu Camu. It's a fruit that's grown in the wild forest so it is not loaded with pesticides and other farming chemicals. It is very powerful antioxidant and helps the body take care of itself. Check it out on my website: www.shootingstarherbs.amazonherb.net and feel free to let me know what questions you have.
It would definitely be hard to determine the cause, but one thing you could do is keep a precise journal of what he eats and when he starts complaining and try to link the foods. I know that I get them from too many sweets. My husband gets them from nuts. A friend gets them from pineapple (maybe a couple of other acidic fruits). Seems like another friend gets them from tomatoes. This doesn't really help narrow it down - but I know my husband got his nut sensitivity (it's not the nut allergy per se) from his dad, so if you've had canker sores, maybe he gets them from the same things you do. Chances are if he's getting them that often, either he eats the offending food pretty regularly, or he gets them from multiple types of food. One other thing you could do is limit his diet down to basics and try it out for a bit, then start slowly adding foods back. Good luck!
Cold sores and canker sores are so very different! I have suffered from canker sores most of my life, though I feel it was partly hormonal because during pregnancy they subsided considerably. Since I switched to a traditional foods diet, and especially since I have incorporated high quality cod liver oil into my diet, I rarely have one. It used to be that if I bit my cheek or lip, I would suffer with a canker sore for weeks. Now I can do the same and it will just heal up, no suffering. For more info on traditional foods, you can visit
http://www.westonaprice.org
Good luck.
lysine is great stuff. i don't know if you can get a liquid form and i do know you can get a chapstick called superlysine at health food stores. everyone (like cancer) has herpes and the sun plus vitamin c can trigger cold sores, and yes they are extremely contagious.
Good luck.
I see that this post is almost a year old. However, as a canker sore sufferer for my entire life (I am now almost 50) I feel sorry for your little guy.
Canker sores are an autoimmune problem. The reason that citrus, nuts, certain toothpastes cause these sores is because they are abrasive to the inside the mouth. When we get a nick, or we eat something acidic and it penetrates the mucosal lining inside of our mouths, our immune system goes after that spot as if it was an illness that needs eradication. I have learned to avoid anything that can even slightly rough up the inside of my mouth.
One of the things that I have found that really helps me are frequent vitamin B12 shots. I purchase the syringes and the B12 from my naturalpathic doc. My medical doctor can't understand why it works. But all I can say to that is, I DO NOT CARE...! It works and it is safe.
