It could be argued that the biggest problem with RAS is the canker sore swelling and inflammation.

2. How to Reduce Canker
Sore Swelling

3. It could be argued that the biggest
problem with RAS is the canker
sore swelling and inflammation.

4. “The swelling,” you may be
asking? “What about the horrific
pain?”

5. Exactly. The pain is a
symptom. The swelling is the
cause. Control the canker sore
swelling, and you’ll experience
less pain and faster healing.

6. Canker sores are created by
what’s known as an “acute
phase reaction.” The acute
phase reaction is generated by
the immune system as a
response to physical trauma or
infection from an outside
threat, such as bacteria or a
virus.

7. It’s the same thing that makes
your ankle swell when you
sprain it, or your tonsils swell
when you have a sore throat.

8. In the case of RAS, an
overproduction of the cytokines
TNF-a and interleukin beta (IL-1b)
send an extraordinary amount of
swelling to combat a minor trauma
or threat, causing the local area to
swell and eventually erupt.

9. Long story short, beat the canker
sore swelling, and you beat the
canker sore.
So here are 4 ways to bring down
the canker sore swelling.

10. Kenalog in Orabase

11. Kenalog, also known as
triamcinolone actonide, is a
corticosteroid paste that you
apply to canker sores to bring
down the swelling. In fact,
that’s the only thing TA does.

12. Unlike most ulcer medications
that reduce the pain with a pain
reliever like benzocaine,
Kenalog provides long-term
relief but does not numb the
sore.

13. The best strategy is to put it on at
night when you go to bed. You’ll
notice a huge difference in the
morning, when swelling is usually at
its worst.

14. It will generally keep the
swelling down until the
afternoon, when it’s a good idea
to reapply. If you can be careful
to not let it rub off while it’s on
there, it should help keep things
under control throughout the
evening.

15. Kenalog is only available by
prescription, but most dentists
will not hesitate to prescribe it
for their patients. Give your
dentist a call, they may be able
to do it over the phone.

16. Advil

17. People often suggest taking a
pain relieving drug when you
have a canker sore for the
obvious reasons, but what
they’re really good for is reducing
canker sore swelling.

18. Just make sure you look for the
term NSAID – Non-Steroidal-
Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs – on
the box. These are made to
reduce inflammation when you
have a cold or flu, and they
work wonders for canker sores
as well.

19. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and
naproxin are the most common
ingredients in NSAID
drugs. Take them every 3-4
hours during a breakout and
they’ll greatly help keep down
your canker sore swelling and
make the pain easier to deal
with.

20. Just keep in mind that NSAIDS do
come with some side effects and
it’s not recommended you take
them for longer than 5 days,
especially if you have stomach and
upper gastrointestinal
issues. Check with your doctor if
you are on any prescription
medicines for adverse affects.

21. NOTE: Some people swear
that ibuprofen makes their
ulcers worse. This was never
the case for me, but if it is for
you, obviously don’t take
it. Switch to acetaminophen
instead.

22. Benadryl

23. Acute phase reactions are also a
symptom of allergic reactions,
and Benadryl is made to
combat allergy inflammation.

24. Word has it that it works
wonders for canker sore swelling
as well.
Swish some Benadryl in your
mouth a few times a day and it
will help keep the swelling
down. Just make sure not to
swallow.

25. PRO TIP: mix the Benadryl with
Maalox and it will coat your
mouth and hold the medicine
on the surface longer. This is an
especially good trick if you have
a mouthful of ulcers and can’t
medicate all of them at once.

26. Astaxanthin

27. This super-powerful
antioxidant derived from algae
is known to perform all kinds of
miracles. Some even say that it
will prevent you from getting
sunburn.

28. I can’t speak to this myself
because I’m pale enough to get
a sunburn from a full moon, but
I did test it for a while and I
found that while it didn’t
prevent my ulcers from
forming, it definitely reduced
their lifespan.

29. So I say load up on astaxanthin
when you first sense a breakout
occurring. It should help keep
the canker sore swelling down
and make your life a bit more
enjoyable.

30. Try all four of these the next
time you get a breakout and
beat the canker sores at their
source.

31. For more details
Visit us @
http://www.cankerboy.com/