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Mouth sores: care that eases the pain

With mucositis, mouth sores are painful, make eating hard and can be a way in for infection during neutropenia. Good care and timely help bring relief.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A glass full of ice
Figure 1.Ice chips can ease the pain

01Short answer

Rinse often and gently with the simple rinse your team recommends. If a brush hurts, use a soft foam swab. Choose soft, moist food at room temperature or cool; avoid spicy, sour, salty, rough or very hot food and drinks, alcohol and tobacco. Ice chips or cool water soothe some people; ask your team. Use only the pain relief and mouth gels your team chooses. If you cannot eat or drink, or you have a temperature, tell your team at once.

02Simple explanation

Rinse often.

Soft, cool food.

Spicy, sour: no.

Pain: tell us.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: for mouth sores, soft food, frequent rinsing and pain control are recommended; being unable to drink, or a fever, needs your team at once.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Why it hurts

The lining cannot renew itself and becomes thin.

When it ends

Usually when counts recover; your team will tell you when.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Why it hurtsThe lining cannot renew itself and becomes thin.
When it endsUsually when counts recover; your team will tell you when.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Mucositis
Inflammation of the mouth lining.
Foam swab
A sponge-tipped stick for gentle mouth cleaning.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Rinse.
  • Eat soft food.
  • Tell us.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

I cannot eat.

This matters; tell your team. Pain can be eased and nutrition supported.

There is a white coating.

It may be thrush; show your team.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. I cannot eat.

  2. There is a white coating.

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Mouth and Throat Problems and Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  5. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
  7. NHS. Physiotherapy
  8. National Cancer Institute. Skin and Nail Changes during Cancer Treatment
  9. National Cancer Institute. Coping – Life After Cancer Treatment
  10. National Cancer Institute. Coping – Cancer Support Groups
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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