Mouth Ulcers and Autoimmune Disease by Liberty Mills

Even before my lupus diagnosis one of the tell tale signs I had an autoimmune disease was I would often have around five or more mouth ulcers at a time and at least one or two nasal ulcers. 

They were both painful and the mouth ulcers affected what I could eat and I would naively use fluorescent mouthwash to treat them unknowingly not only destroying the bad bacteria in my mouth, but also the good. 

The mouth ulcers I found the most annoying, as those clusters of little sores can make not only eating but even talking uncomfortable. While ulcers can happen to anyone, they’re especially common among people with autoimmune conditions like lupus, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease. If you’re dealing with this like I did, using natural remedies like coconut oil for healing, along with paying attention to your B vitamin levels, can help you manage and even prevent them.

Coconut Oil: A Gentle, Effective Remedy

Coconut oil is often touted as a miracle product for its ability to heal various skin issues, but it’s especially beneficial for mouth and nasal ulcers. Anecdotally I had one client with lupus who had 20 mouth ulcers and just like me it was affecting her food choices and her ability to enjoy social occasions with her family around food. After a couple of weeks of oil pulling every morning and dapping coconut oil directly in the evenings she was down to just two mouth ulcers. This made a huge difference to her ability to gain weight and her confidence. 

What is Oil pulling?

Oil pulling has been practiced for over 3,000 years in Ayurveda to detoxify the mouth and body. Does that help?

Here’s how to do it:

• Take a Tablespoon: Swish the oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes. ( I tend to do mine in the shower and continue to swish while getting ready)
• Don’t Swallow: Keep the oil in your mouth but don’t swallow.
• Spit It Out: Spit the oil into a bin (not the sink, it can clog pipes).
• Rinse & Brush: Rinse with lukewarm water and brush your teeth.

Does that help?

The reasons behind its effectiveness lie in its unique composition. Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, especially lauric acid, which has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This is important because ulcers, whether in the mouth or nose, are essentially open wounds that can easily get infected. If you have an autoimmune condition, you most likely do that’s why you are here, your body might not respond to healing as quickly, making these sores harder to heal.

Dabbing to moisturising and protecting the skin:

Ulcers often make the skin or mucous membranes dry and cracked, which can make things worse. Coconut oil works as a natural moisturiser, preventing dryness and creating a protective layer over the ulcer. This is especially helpful for nasal ulcers, or nasal scabs where the constant irritation from breathing, even smiling or blowing your nose can dry out or tear the area. A dab of coconut oil inside the nostrils can keep everything hydrated and promote faster healing.

Preventing Infection:

Because ulcers are open sores, they’re vulnerable to infection. Coconut oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that help keep harmful bacteria at bay. For people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system is already compromised, so the added protection from coconut oil can make a big difference in preventing secondary infections and speeding up healing.

Have your B Vitamin levels checked as low levels could be contributing and exasperating the issue.

It’s also important to consider the nutritional aspect when it comes to ulcers. If you’re someone with an autoimmune condition, you may be more likely to experience deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly B vitamins. These vitamins—especially B12, B2, B6, and folate—are crucial for maintaining the health of your skin and mucous membranes, both of which can be damaged by ulcers.

Vitamin B12 and Mouth Ulcers:

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common culprit behind recurring mouth ulcers. When B12 levels are low, it can cause inflammation in the mouth, leading to painful lesions. This deficiency is especially prevalent in autoimmune conditions like Lupus, Crohn’s disease or pernicious anaemia. Taking a B12 supplement or adjusting your diet to include more B12-rich foods can significantly reduce the occurrence of these ulcers. But I do encourage you to get your medical practitioner to check your levels before you supplement, you never want to over supplement either. For those that are severely deficient you may be given injections within the NHS. 

The Role of B2 (Riboflavin):

Another B vitamin, riboflavin (B2), is essential for skin and mucosal healing. A lack of riboflavin can lead to cracks at the corners of your mouth or painful sores in the mouth. If you’re regularly experiencing mouth ulcers, it’s worth checking if you’re getting enough riboflavin in your diet, as correcting this deficiency can help prevent further issues.

So here you have one simple blood test check and one kitchen cupboard hack that could make a huge difference to your daily life and make things a little easier. 

Always remember to consult with your medical team before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly if you are on any prescribed medication. 

 Try out the coconut oil pulling and dabbing and get your B vitamins tested and we would love for you to share how you get along.