Are canker sores weakening my immune system?
October 20, 2010 8:44 AM Subscribe
Are canker sores weakening my immune system?
While I realize getting medical advice over the internet is not the best idea, my question is pretty broad so I'd like to try and get some information I can't seem to find on my own.
I have dealt with canker sores for my whole life, and I would say I have at least one 30% of the time. Recently, however, I've noticed that when I get them, I feel kind of sick– my lymph nodes swell up, I get a fever and feel really tired.
My question is: is fighting off canker sores repeatedly possibly damaging my immune system? Or another way to put it: does your immune system have a unlimited supply of energy that regenerates, or will it weaken over time if I "use it all up"?
(I've recently had bloodwork done for something unrelated and my blood/cell counts are all normal, so that's not really the issue. I just wonder if this will affect me later in life.)
While I realize getting medical advice over the internet is not the best idea, my question is pretty broad so I'd like to try and get some information I can't seem to find on my own.
I have dealt with canker sores for my whole life, and I would say I have at least one 30% of the time. Recently, however, I've noticed that when I get them, I feel kind of sick– my lymph nodes swell up, I get a fever and feel really tired.
My question is: is fighting off canker sores repeatedly possibly damaging my immune system? Or another way to put it: does your immune system have a unlimited supply of energy that regenerates, or will it weaken over time if I "use it all up"?
(I've recently had bloodwork done for something unrelated and my blood/cell counts are all normal, so that's not really the issue. I just wonder if this will affect me later in life.)
I'm not a doctor, but I am a person who has had canker sores, and if anything, I think they're an indication of an overactive immune system, rather than a failing one; the worst canker sore outbreak I ever had – two coin-sized sores on the back of my throat – took immune-suppressing steroids to cure.
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:49 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:49 AM on October 20, 2010
Best answer: In the long term the immune system wears out as a result of aging, just as every part of the human body will eventually wear out as a result of aging, but the immune system won't wear out any faster because it is in use. On the contrary, when the immune system fights infections it is getting good exercise, and will become stronger as a result, not weaker.
This is not to say that it might not be a good idea to seek treatment for your frequent canker sores. Perhaps some well chosen antibiotic might help out your immune system.
posted by grizzled at 8:50 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
This is not to say that it might not be a good idea to seek treatment for your frequent canker sores. Perhaps some well chosen antibiotic might help out your immune system.
posted by grizzled at 8:50 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I second infinitywaltz that the canker sores are another symptom of whatever's causing your immune system to flare up, NOT that they're causing the flare-up. (My sister's, who is another chronic canker sore getter, was told as much by her doctor, for what it's worth).
posted by brainmouse at 8:56 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by brainmouse at 8:56 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Just to clarify, there might not be anything "causing" your immune system to flare up, per se, other than an overactive immune system (I also have allergies, eczema and the occasional hive, which are all pretty much just cases of your immune system flipping out and overreacting to stuff).
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:59 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 8:59 AM on October 20, 2010
Best answer: I usually get canker sores as a prelude to getting more sick.
I think you have it backwards - the sores are a symptom of an impending infection and not the cause of your next one.
If you are finding that you get sick with some frequency, talk to your doctor. Last year, my doctor noticed that I was treated for 9 sinus infections(!) over a 14 month period. Basically, I was always sick and never really got better. I had a FESS done and haven't felt so good in years.
That's not to say that you need surgery - but sometimes there are underlying complicating factors.
To answer your other question - it is possible to suppress immunoresponse. Some sicknesses do this (AIDS in particular), fatigue, malnutrition, and certain medications can as well.
Your immune system isn't a thing that gets "used up". But there are things that you can do that make its job easier. Good rest, and nutrition. Wash your hands frequently and get some exercise. So on.
These things won't necessarily prevent an infection, but they can reduce the severity when one occurs.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 9:10 AM on October 20, 2010
I think you have it backwards - the sores are a symptom of an impending infection and not the cause of your next one.
If you are finding that you get sick with some frequency, talk to your doctor. Last year, my doctor noticed that I was treated for 9 sinus infections(!) over a 14 month period. Basically, I was always sick and never really got better. I had a FESS done and haven't felt so good in years.
That's not to say that you need surgery - but sometimes there are underlying complicating factors.
To answer your other question - it is possible to suppress immunoresponse. Some sicknesses do this (AIDS in particular), fatigue, malnutrition, and certain medications can as well.
Your immune system isn't a thing that gets "used up". But there are things that you can do that make its job easier. Good rest, and nutrition. Wash your hands frequently and get some exercise. So on.
These things won't necessarily prevent an infection, but they can reduce the severity when one occurs.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 9:10 AM on October 20, 2010
Just to clarify, there might not be anything "causing" your immune system to flare up, per se...
Oh, very true, that was badly worded on my part. Immune systems sometimes just do that.
posted by brainmouse at 9:10 AM on October 20, 2010
Oh, very true, that was badly worded on my part. Immune systems sometimes just do that.
posted by brainmouse at 9:10 AM on October 20, 2010
I don't get canker sores anywhere near as often as you, but for me they're the "canary in the coal mine." When I get one, I know that my immune system is worn down or fighting something, and I need to rest, eat well and take care of my stress levels or I'll get sick.
posted by letitrain at 9:12 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by letitrain at 9:12 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Same as letitrain here. In fact, it's my understanding that this is why they're called cold sores - they tend to happen when you have or are getting a cold (which is for most of us, probably the most frequent time our immune system is busy). I get them whenever my system is under major stress, though - they're a sign that I need to sleep more and take care of myself. I've always heard that they're a sign that your immune system is weakened (not 'flared up' or overactive, quite the opposite). That seems to be backed up by a quick googling for 'cold sores immune system', although I can't find anything that looks authoritative enough to link here.
posted by Lady Li at 9:29 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by Lady Li at 9:29 AM on October 20, 2010
Cold sores are different from canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers), by the way. Cold sores are caused by a virus (herpes simplex) whereas the cause of canker sores is...well, still not entirely clear, but probably has an autoimmune component, can occasionally be attributed to a virus, and can also be associated with things as varied as vitamin deficiencies and Crohn's disease.
posted by infinitywaltz at 9:32 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 9:32 AM on October 20, 2010
Cold sores are different from canker sores (also known as aphthous ulcers), by the way. Cold sores are caused by a virus (herpes simplex) whereas the cause of canker sores is...well, still not entirely clear, but probably has an autoimmune component, can occasionally be attributed to a virus, and can also be associated with things as varied as vitamin deficiencies and Crohn's disease.
While this may be true, can't we assume that in common usage they are synonymous? I mean, most people I know use the two terms interchangeably.
posted by purpletangerine at 10:16 AM on October 20, 2010
While this may be true, can't we assume that in common usage they are synonymous? I mean, most people I know use the two terms interchangeably.
posted by purpletangerine at 10:16 AM on October 20, 2010
While this may be true, can't we assume that in common usage they are synonymous? I mean, most people I know use the two terms interchangeably
Erm, pretty strongly no. The fact that many people use them interchangeably does not mean they're interchangeable... They're very different phenomena with very different causes that (with very little overlap) occur in different places (in general, cold sores are on the lips/external, and canker sores are inside the mouth). The poster asked about canker sores. An answer about cold sores is, therefore, completely unhelpful.
posted by brainmouse at 10:20 AM on October 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
Erm, pretty strongly no. The fact that many people use them interchangeably does not mean they're interchangeable... They're very different phenomena with very different causes that (with very little overlap) occur in different places (in general, cold sores are on the lips/external, and canker sores are inside the mouth). The poster asked about canker sores. An answer about cold sores is, therefore, completely unhelpful.
posted by brainmouse at 10:20 AM on October 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
Not really, because what's going to be effective treatment or information about one isn't going to apply to the other; Abreva won't work on canker sores, and canker sore treatments aren't going to work on cold sores.
posted by infinitywaltz at 10:21 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by infinitywaltz at 10:21 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I often get canker sores as I'm getting a cold. They are a symptom of a weakened immune system.
posted by serazin at 10:24 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by serazin at 10:24 AM on October 20, 2010
in general, cold sores are on the lips/external, and canker sores are inside the mouth. The poster asked about canker sores.
See now, this makes sense to me, but is it necessarily what the OP meant? I don't know. Lots of people I know would have asked the same question, used the term "cold sore" and meant inside the mouth. I'm not disagreeing that it is better to be specific. Just that for many people, the terms are in fact interchangeable.
When I personally experience a sore (either on the inside or out) my other symptoms (feeling sick, generally icky) tend to be the same. I was also told, by a Dr., that though the placement may differ, they are both caused by herpes simplex (at least in my case).
posted by purpletangerine at 10:30 AM on October 20, 2010
See now, this makes sense to me, but is it necessarily what the OP meant? I don't know. Lots of people I know would have asked the same question, used the term "cold sore" and meant inside the mouth. I'm not disagreeing that it is better to be specific. Just that for many people, the terms are in fact interchangeable.
When I personally experience a sore (either on the inside or out) my other symptoms (feeling sick, generally icky) tend to be the same. I was also told, by a Dr., that though the placement may differ, they are both caused by herpes simplex (at least in my case).
posted by purpletangerine at 10:30 AM on October 20, 2010
I get cancer sores if I eat food that is more acidic than my normal diet, for example if I eat way more tomatoes or tomato products than I normally do in a week. I also get both canker sores and cold sores when I'm stressed out. I think it's your immune system telling you to regulate and chill out.
posted by WeekendJen at 12:21 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by WeekendJen at 12:21 PM on October 20, 2010
I get canker sores frequently, but rarely ever get sick- like maybe every few years I get a cold. Just yesterday I started wondering if the canker sores are really an allergic reaction to something: I just bought and ate a bunch of peanut butter, I know a lot of people are allergic to peanuts. I eat them sporadically, I'm going to pay attention and see if there is any connection.
posted by mareli at 12:49 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by mareli at 12:49 PM on October 20, 2010
I used to get canker sores quite routinely. Then I read somewhere on the net that sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a foaming agent found in most toothpastes, can irritate the mouth lining and cause canker sores in some people. Now I use toothpaste without this ingredient and I have had maybe two canker sores in over five years. Once when I traveled, I forgot my toothpaste and used ordinary toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate, and I got a canker sore within a day or two.
To get toothpaste without this ingredient you can try the internet or a health food store; in a worst case you could try baking soda.
posted by massysett at 1:53 PM on October 20, 2010
To get toothpaste without this ingredient you can try the internet or a health food store; in a worst case you could try baking soda.
posted by massysett at 1:53 PM on October 20, 2010
For canker sores you want lysine pills. I didn't believe it either at first. It's like magic.
posted by notned at 5:42 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by notned at 5:42 PM on October 20, 2010
Seconding toothpaste that is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-free. (Tom's of Maine just introduced some new flavors. Healthy Dentist is also ok. Rembrant Canker Sore Prevention is easy to find.) It hasn't eliminated my canker sores, but has reduced them significantly.
My lymph nodes also swell when I have a bad canker sore, but it doesn't usually lead to other illness. When a canker sore is that bad, I try to rest more, drink extra fluids, etc., as if I had a cold or the flu.
In my opinion, canker sores are one of the more miserable things there are. I wish you luck!
posted by Agatha at 6:25 PM on October 20, 2010
My lymph nodes also swell when I have a bad canker sore, but it doesn't usually lead to other illness. When a canker sore is that bad, I try to rest more, drink extra fluids, etc., as if I had a cold or the flu.
In my opinion, canker sores are one of the more miserable things there are. I wish you luck!
posted by Agatha at 6:25 PM on October 20, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Madamina at 8:47 AM on October 20, 2010