What can be done to treat mouth and vaginal sores from chemo?
Mouth and vaginal sores are a common side effect of chemotherapy because the chemo agents affect the fast growing cells of the skin inside the mouth. Read more about how to prevent and treat mouth sores here.
Unfortunately, vaginal sores are trickier, but there are things your friend can do. Wear loose fitting clothes and cotton underwear so that air can circulate. Since mouth and vaginal sores are likely the result of an overgrowth of candida, or yeast, your friend can help her body get back in balance by taking probiotic supplements, which balance the flora in the digestive tract. She can also try the over-the-counter creams used for external relief of vaginal yeast infections. (Not the kind you put inside.) Your friend may have to buy a package of Monistat, and then just use the external cream.
The homeopathic borax remedy mentioned by Sundance is worth trying; some women also get relief by taking a lukewarm bath and adding Epsom salts to the water. Your friend should also talk to her doctor and explain the situation, because there are topical antifungal creams for vaginal sores that are available only by prescription.
I have found that Tom's of Maine toothpaste with propolis and myrrh works very well to get rid of mouth sores and keep them gone. You must use it every day to keep the mouth sores away. Also, it has none of the unpleasant additives many commercial tooth pastes have.
Mouth sores can largely be benefited by using regularly 10 drops of Tincture of Propolis with a teaspoonful honey twice regularly. A lot of green leafy vegetables like spinach, pomegranate juice and yogurt with bacillus bifidus in addition to B-complex vitamins also can prevent mouth sores from occurring.Rinsing the mouth with sesame oil can reduce the pain and aid in quick healing of mouth sores.
