Dab of alum heals canker sores
Dear Dr. Gott: I had been meaning to send this home remedy long before I read your column about cold and canker sores.
My mother had recurring cold sores on her lips but also frequently had canker sores in her mouth. I used to have frequent canker sores but have never had a cold sore.
Even though it does seem a lot of high-acid foods can trigger canker sores, mine were often associated with being overtired or stressed.
The tried-and-true treatment for us was to dab powdered alum (from the seasoning section of the grocery store) on the tip of a damp finger and then apply it to the canker or cold sore. There is a brief, intense tingling and bitterness from the application, but relief is instant, and, for us, the sores were usually gone within a day or two. I have even used this for a huge 3/4-inch-by-3/4-inch sore in my throat. I simply dampened a Q-tip, dabbed it in the powdered alum and applied to the spot. The pain was gone instantly, and the sore was completely healed in three days.
I hope this will help your readers as much as it has helped me and my mother.
Dear Reader: I have received several remedies for treating canker and cold sores. They have including everything from using L-lysine tablets to eliminating peanuts and high-acid foods to reducing stress. But, by far, the most commonly recommended home remedy was crystallized or powdered alum. Alum is used in many applications, including crystal deodorants, makeup and pickling.
Dear Dr. Gott: I read your column about the woman with treatment-resistant UTIs with interest. I, too, was having this condition. When I asked my doctor why, he said he wasn’t certain about the cause, but it could be bacterial. I figured if the cause was bacteria, perhaps betadine would help.
I simply started washing “down there” with the betadine, and the infection was gone. Now, if I feel a UTI starting, I immediately wash or add a few drops to a bottle of prepared douche. It immediately resolves the problem. I hope this helps some of your other readers.
Dear Reader: Urinary-tract infections can be difficult to treat, especially in women who have recurring or frequent infections. Typical treatment usually consists of a course of oral antibiotics, but finding a simple home treatment to prevent them can be vital.
I am printing your letter in the hopes that it will help other women who suffer from similar situations.
I would also like to recommend drinking a glass of cranberry juice daily. It may prevent urinary tract and bladder infections. Drinking several glasses a day during an acute infection can also lessen symptoms and shorten recovery time.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.