I have had a painful ulcer on one side of my tongue for the past six days. Despite taking vitamin B-complex and gargling with salt water, the ulcer is still painful. What over-the-counter medication, gel, or ointment should I use to treat this?

For a painful tongue ulcer, you can use over-the-counter topical gels containing lidocaine or benzocaine to temporarily numb the pain, especially before eating. Additionally, applying a protective corticosteroid paste like triamcinolone acetonide dental paste can help reduce inflammation and speed up healing. Most mouth ulcers are benign and resolve on their own within 10 to 14 days. Continue your gentle warm salt water rinses and avoid spicy, acidic, or sharp foods that can cause irritation. If the ulcer does not heal within two weeks, grows larger, or worsens, please consult a dentist or doctor for a professional evaluation.

I experience numbness and a tingling sensation in my hands on the side I sleep on; what medicine should I take to improve this?

Numbness and tingling in your hand while sleeping is usually caused by nerve compression (like carpal tunnel syndrome or a pinched nerve) due to your sleeping posture. There is no specific medication that instantly cures this. For symptom relief, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen) can reduce nerve inflammation, and Vitamin B-complex can support nerve health. However, the most effective initial steps are non-medicinal: avoid sleeping directly on that arm and try wearing a supportive wrist splint at night. Please consult a doctor for a proper physical examination to identify the exact cause before starting any long-term medication.