The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Alum
Posted by Selia (Ocala, Fl) on 05/21/2012
★★★★★
I've used alum for decades to treat canker sores which I get chronically. To the person who claims we'll get dementia from using it, not true; my mother used it, she lived to 87, not a scintilla of dementia; I'm fine, sharp as a tack at 70. So USE it. Don't be scared off.
Alum
Posted by Kb (Monterey, Ca) on 05/01/2012
★★★★★
Thanks you guys! Alum worked great for me. One night pain was worth it. I feel great. Now I know what to do when I get canker.
Alum
Posted by Dreamer (Salinas, Ca) on 01/26/2012
★★★★★
I have been using Alum for canker sores for years! I am 31 and started getting canker sores when I was around 7 or 8. My Dad taught me to use alum on them back then (he was a medic in the army & national guard) and I would never use anything else! It hurts to put on but it is so worth it! It numbs the pain for a small amount of time and it heals them super fast! A++
Alum
Posted by John (Lake Oswego, Oregon) on 01/19/2012
★★★★★
I've been using alum on canker sores as a cure for 30 years and wouldn't use anything else. My whole family uses it.
Alum
Posted by Mariana (Roseville, Minnesota) on 12/22/2011
★★★★★
I was surprised to find alum missing from your list of remedies. It would be interesting to see what other folks use this for. It's great for treating canker sores. They go away almost instantly. My mother used this for us when we were kids, and her mother used it too. I think it's a pretty ancient substance that was used widely in the Middle East and Africa. We use the powdered kind that is sold in grocery stores. (It's used in pickling, for crispness. )
Anyhow, what we do to treat a cankersore is merely moisten a Q-tip, and dip it in a very small amount of alum mixed with a teaspoon of warm water. After the alum is on for a few minutes, just rinse your mouth because the alum is very bitter. People also use alum as a mouthwash and to treat gum disease or aching teeth. It's used to treat eczema itching, and styes as well. I'm sure the solution would need to be much milder for use on the eyes, or as a mouthwash, or in treating eczema. Anyway, I hope others might want to mention their experiences with using this common household ingredient. Mariana
Alum
Posted by Susan (San Francisco, Ca) on 01/20/2012
My grandmother taught me this when I was a kid (I'm 57). I've tried other remedies and the Alum has always been the cure that worked fastest for me.
Alum
Posted by Jessica (Waconia, Minnesota) on 01/26/2012
★★★★★
I use Alum for cold sores and canker sores too! It is utterly amazing how fast they disappear with just a couple applications. I refuse to spend money on anything else. Cheapest most effective treatment out there! I tell everyone about it when I can!
Alum
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 01/26/2012
Could someone please tell me what is the Alum that is often refered to here? I have done a search and found that it can be either potassium alum, soda alum (used in baking powder), ferric alum or ammonium alum. Thanks.
Alum
Posted by Didi (Dover, Usa) on 02/12/2012
Alum is a salty substance used in Pickeling or a brine. You can get it in the spice section of the grocery store.
Alum
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 02/13/2012
Thanks Didi for that. I have never seen it here (Australia) but maybe it is sold under another name and not the name Alum.
Alum
Posted by Derek (Austin, Mn) on 04/26/2012
The Alum referred to here is Ammonium-type Alum. I've got an ancient container of Schilling Alum. On the container it reads, "Powdered Alum (Ammonium)".
Alum
Posted by Jennifer (Midland, Michigan) on 09/15/2011
★★★★★
Alum DOES work! My mother has an old jar of crystallized Alum that she has used on all our canker sores forever. I take a piece and set it on the canker sore for several minutes. It not only relieves the pain, but shrinks it and makes it disappear within a day or two. I still use it and use it on my kids now. It does not taste great, but it is worth the results it gives you. Hip, Hip Horray for Alum!!
Alum
Posted by Mikayla (Toronto, On, Canada) on 08/26/2011
★★★★★
Wow, alum works!
I never get canker sores, but a few days ago, I got itchy red hives on my torso as well as 6 canker sores under my tongue and my cheeks. I've had several surgeries but have never been in such pain in my life! So bizarre that such a little thing can cause so much discomfort.
Anyway, after reading the comments, I tried Alum and so far it's amazing. It has really numbed the canker sores. I can eat!!
My only caution is because it does numb so well, be aware not to bite your cheek accidently. I did that and another canker sore developed; but the overall relief is so worth it.
Alum
Posted by Kimkat (Hingham, Ma) on 04/27/2011
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Alum for canker sores - I just applied to 4 cankers in my mouth and the smaller cankers on inside of lips felt a sting and then a little better instantly, achy but a little better---- BUT the almost centimeter size one on tongue- GOD HELP ME THE PAIN IS INTENSE. I couldn't keep the alum on for long for that one, 30 seconds and almost passed out. BUT I will try again~ I drooled like a fool but been doing that all day. I have eaten NOTHING today the pain got so bad and that is with double dose ibuprofen on board for 3 days. Anyone had luck with this stuff and large cankers of the tongue??
I might have to call my doctor for painkillers - this is almost unbearable (yes I have a low threshhold for pain)
Alum
Posted by Sfcb1 (San Francisco, Ca Usa) on 12/02/2011
★☆☆☆☆
It may be that I discovered this information too late, but I tried the alum solution repeatedly on my latest canker sore (haven't been able to talk or eat pain-free for 5 days now) and it seemed to make it a little worse. It certainly didn't help, although it wasn't as painful as some of the posts here warned it might be. I would have to vote Nay for this one.
Alum
Posted by Gilroy (City, Us) on 12/07/2011
Alum isn't meant to be a pain reliever for canker sores. It is meant as a cautry agent so that they burn up and heal faster. It's not going to make the pain go away.
Alum
Posted by Bg (Lakewood, Oh) on 02/19/2011
★★★★★
I'm really prone to canker sores if I bite the inside of my lip, or if my diet becomes too acidic (too much coffee, caffeine, beer, fruits, chocolate, sweets, etc. )
I used to use a prescription paste which I haven't been able to get out here (Kenalog in Orabase? I think) which worked wonders and would quite literally get rid of my sores overnight. Since I've been unable to get that prescription filled, I needed a different remedy, so I went with alum. My only quip with alum is that it tastes NAAAAASTY. Seriously, if you swallow it, you will probably vomit. Bitter, awful, disgusting taste--BUT it works like a dream on canker sores and dries them out after a few applications. I usually daub a bit on the sore with a wet Q-tip, then let it sit there and dry for about five minutes before rinsing out my mouth and/or brushing my teeth (because the taste just sticks to your tongue). The more stubborn sores still take a few days to go away, but the alum seems to alleviate the pain and bring down the swelling and the size of the sore almost immediately. I highly recommend this remedy -- just remember not to swallow or spit it out before your five minutes are up.
Alum
Posted by Pcheeks (Washington, Dc, Usa) on 06/01/2010
★★★★★
I have always had problems with canker sores. I usually just wait it out or apply some numbing gel. This time I got one on my tongue. It was sooo painful and wouldn't go away. I found this website and tried alum. It really really burned the first time I used it. To the point of tears but after 3-4 applications (48 hours) it was gone! I definitely recommend this.
Alum
Posted by Dave (Austin, Tx) on 11/30/2009
★★★★★
Alum for fever blister/cold sore/canker sore
Thought I might help those of you who are suffering with cold sores etc. As a child I 'suffered' with this malady on occassion. When ever it happened, I would tell my mom and she would immediately reach into the kitchen spices for the alum. This is the new information which I have not seen on any site thus far. Before using the alum mom would put a small amount on a disposable piece of metal (usually the top removed from a can of vegetables) and heat the alum to the point where all the moisture is driven from the alum powder. At this point the alum will crystallize on the can lid (This is what I learned to call burnt alum). Allow to cool. Once the crystallized alum has cooled, take a spoon and crush the burnt alum and apply as described elsewhere. As mentioned alum is an astringent, and the value of this process is to improve the astingent properties of the alum. As with those who have used this remedy regularly, I also had complete relief within two days.
Alum
Posted by Splendor (Chandler, Az) on 09/02/2010
I have the alum on my canker sores now, so we'll see. But last night I placed an asprin pill on each of the 2 cankers that I have in my mouth; seriously just hold it on top of the sore, between your cheek and gum until it just begins to dissolve, then spit it out and rinse. This totally numbs it for like 12 hours, then apply the alum because it barely stings at all. Hope the alum does the trick! :o)
Alum
Posted by Kathleen (Newport Beach, Ca) on 10/09/2009
Ok! When I'm stressed I bite the inside of my mouth. Yuck!! I know! This can lead to the MOTHER of all canker sores. My dear friend just told me to dab alum into the canker sore, hold the affected area out so it can settle into canker sore and not be washed away by saliva. Let me explain. What I have going is a flipping cluster of sores( 12 in total. SERIOUSLY!!) A few are about 1/4 x 3/8. No I'm not joking. So I apply the alum out of desperation. I'm in constant pain, my lips aren't working. Drool is running down my chin(SEXY right?) AND i CAN'T eat. Ok the alum feels like flipping battery ACID. I want to rip half my face off. Who cares that it tastes viley bitter-it REALLY hurts. It does not sting. Serious PAIN. After about 20 minutes half my lower jaw is numb. Thank God!!! It feels a little swollen. I look in the mirror and honest to God it looks like I've just had half of my mouth pumped up with whatever that crap is that make you look like a freak of nature! I live in newport beach-the land of the plastic fantastic. Please tell me that this will subside and I won't look like a middle aged woman having a midlife crisis and a budget to only cover half the job! Frickin' Y-I-K-E-S !!!!!!!!
Alum
Posted by Man0fsteel (Redondo Beach, Ca, USA) on 11/07/2009
Okay, so I get canker sores every so often, esp. when I don't get enough sleep. This particular monster sore on my lower lip started when I severely bit into my lower lip TWICE on the same spot a week ago. No signs of healing. And they usually do after a week. Not this one. So someone suggested Alum. A quick search online brings me here where there is a lot of positive feedback. So I put the Alum on and like the above post, the pain is pretty intense. Tears are leaking involuntarily out of my eyes. 5 minutes go by and I rinse it off. It's now about 30 min after and the sore feels like it's twice the previous size. Totally swollen. And it's throbbing like no tomorrow. If it gets better, I'll be shocked, but I will report if it does in the morning.
Alum
Posted by Alice (Shingle Springs, Ca, U.S.A.) on 11/07/2009
Smashing up a lysine (a particular amino acid) tab and making a paste with water and applying it to the sore is reported to relieve it. Totally non-toxic.
Alum
Posted by Ben (Rochester, NY) on 01/30/2009
★★★★★
Yes to Using Alum found at the grocery store in the spices section. I read the comments about canker sores on here. Thank God for nice people! Apply it with a wet Q-tip on Sore. It will sting but the after effects are worth it! Thanksabunch
Alum
Posted by Dan (Grand Rapids, MI) on 06/01/2009
The reason alum works is that it is an astringent, not because it forces anything into your body.
Alum
Posted by Saskia (Takoma Park, MD, USA) on 10/06/2008
★★★★★
I had started taking apple cider vinegar twice a day, and after two days noticed the beginning of a canker sore. It didn't hurt yet, so I checked this site, then went out and got some Alum in the grocery store. I did as someone else suggested and wetted my finger, then dipped it into the alum, and then held it on the canker sore for about 5 minutes. Because I caught my canker sore so early, it didn't really sting at all.
I did that twice the first day, and again twice on the second day. It never hurt at all, and it got a little larger at first, but then started receding, and now 4 days later, its basically gone! I'm so happy with the Alum cure! I used to spend a whole week in agony thinking there was no way to help it- I love this website!
Alum
Posted by Cblhris (Bloomington, IN) on 08/09/2008
★★★★★
I am apparently one of those peoplt that are particularly susceptible to canker sores. I have tried many remedies, but the best by far is the alum. It stings a bit of first, but after one application the canker sore pain is gone. After two, the lesion is gone. Having used it dozens of times, I can say that if you don't mind the sting, alum is the only way to go!!
