Article: If a friend who is frustrated or in pain says they don’t want to talk about their feelings right now, it can sting. You want to be a good friend and help them, and it feels like you can’t do that if they won’t open up. It may be difficult, but the best thing to do in these situations is to let your friends have their space.  Let them know, “That’s all right. I’m not going to push you if you don’t want to talk. Just know that I am here for you if decide later that you need someone to listen to you.” There are a lot of reasons your friend may not be ready to talk. They may not be sure how they feel about a situation. They may be trying to move past it. They may not feel safe comfortable talking about the situation. Don’t take it personally. Just respect them. Active listening is a set of tools you can use to show your friend that you’re involved and engaged in what they are saying. It’s based on maintaining open body language, avoiding giving unsolicited judgment or advice, and expressing an active interest in what your friend says.  Paraphrase your friend periodically as they speak. This lets them know that you are paying attention to what they are saying. Express empathy. Empathy is very important in active listening. If your friend has negative feelings, whether they are toward you or someone else, validate those feelings rather than questioning them. For example, if your friend is  stressed by their job, listen to them until they’re done speaking. Then, paraphrase and show empathy by saying “What I hear is that you feel really stressed right now, and I understand how a workload like that can lead to stress.” You may have questions when your friend is talking or they may have reminded you of your own story. Still,  it’s important to avoid interrupting your friend while they’re talking. This lets them know that you respect what they have to say. If there’s something you really want to address but your friend is still talking, make a note to yourself. It could be a mental note, or you could write down a few words on a scrap of paper to help remind you of your points.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Support your friend if they say they don’t want to talk. Practice active listening. Avoid interrupting your friend.
Article: Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis, are not contagious and look different from cold sores. They are usually about 5-8 mm across, painful, and also pale or yellow with a red outer ring. These sores are usually inside your mouth. You may notice 1 blister or several in a cluster. If your blister looks like this, it is probably a canker sore.  In most cases, canker sores don't have any other accompanying symptoms. They often heal in about 10 days. While cold sores usually develop on the lips, canker sores develop on the inside of the mouth. Blisters caused by burns can look similar, but with burns, you can typically identify an incident that caused the blister. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with ½ cup of warm water. Take a sip of the mixture, keeping it in your mouth. Swirl it over the area with the canker sore for about a minute and then spit it out.  This will help dry out the blister but it can be painful. If it causes you unbearable pain, try a different treatment. Repeat this process every couple of hours until the blister is gone. As an alternative, eating a popsicle or sipping on cool liquids might help your sore feel better. Put a teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl and add a few drops of water to create a paste. Use your finger to apply a thin layer of the paste onto the canker sore and let it sit there for a minute. After that, rinse your mouth out with cool water. You can repeat this process daily to help get rid of your canker sore. There are a variety of over-the-counter medications that will protect the blister and will reduce the pain you feel. These medications include benzocaine and hydrogen peroxide rinses. Whichever medication you buy at your pharmacy, follow the directions on the packaging and quit using it if it increases your pain and discomfort. In order to help get rid of your canker sore, it's important to treat it gently. Don't eat anything too spicy, salty, rough, or acidic. Also keep your toothbrush away from your blister while you brush, as you don't want to irritate it.  Acidic, salty, and spicy foods to avoid include, but are not limited to, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chili peppers, potato chips, and fruit juices. Try not to eat rough and crunchy foods, like crusty bread and hard crackers, as they can scratch the blister and cause pain. Eat soft, anti-inflammatory foods. When dealing with a canker sore you still need to eat, but it's important to choose the right things.  Foods that are both soft and anti-inflammatory, such as honey and yogurt, will not irritate the blister and may even aid in healing. For more severe cases, such as if your canker sore becomes very large or it won't heal after a couple of weeks, you should talk to your doctor about it. They are likely to give you an examination and suggest prescription treatments if the canker sore is severe. Medications that may be prescribed include fluocinonide gel (Lidex), anti-inflammatory amlexanox paste (Aphthasol), or chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) mouthwash.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Look at the color and pattern of the blister to determine if it is a canker sore. Gargle with salt water to dry out the blister. Try applying a paste of baking soda to reduce inflammation. Use over-the-counter medications to soothe it. Be cautious when eating or brushing your teeth. Get treated by a doctor if you cannot get rid of your blisters.