Cold sores and canker sores are often confused, but their presentation and causes are different. Treatment may involve topical and oral medications. Outbreaks can be triggered by various factors, and severe cases may require medical attention. Topical ointments and oral rinses can help relieve discomfort and speed up the healing process. Nutritional and dietary supplements may also be recommended to prevent future outbreaks.
Herpes sores that arise inside the mouth, known as cold sores, can be mistaken for a canker sore or canker sore. Canker sores and herpes sores are both open sores, however, their presentation and how and where the sores form are very different. Treatment for canker sores and herpes sores may involve topical and oral medications to reduce inflammation and aid in the healing process.
Canker sores are often mistaken for cold sores, caused by the contagious herpes simplex virus. There is no known, definitive cause for the development of canker sores. Minor outbreaks of canker sores and cold sores generally don’t require treatment. Persistent outbreaks of canker sores and herpes of moderate to severe presentation may require the use of topical and oral medications to speed the healing process.
Outbreaks of canker sores and herpes can be triggered by a variety of factors. Most outbreaks last a few days, but more severe presentations can last up to a couple of weeks. Individuals with hypersensitive or compromised immunity, food allergies, or high stress often experience the frequent development of canker sores. The herpes simplex virus lies dormant in the systems of those who have been exposed. During times of extreme stress or fatigue, menstruation or illness, the virus can reactivate, causing infectious cold sores to form outside or inside the oral cavity.
Most of the development of cold sores and herpes is heralded by a tingling sensation that occurs a few days before the lesion forms. A single herpes sore will develop from several blister-like sores and adopt a jagged edge that forms on hard tissue, such as the gums or upper palate. Cold sores can cause significant discomfort and impair your ability to eat, drink, and sometimes speak clearly. The sore will fill with ooze, break down, and crust over usually without scarring. An aphthous ulcer, or canker sore, initially appears as a raised inflamed, pimple-like area before forming an open sore on the soft tissue inside the mouth, such as the tongue or cheek.
Minor canker sores are usually oval in shape, yellow or white in color, and heal without scarring. Moderate to severe pain development can take an asymmetrical shape and scar. As individuals age, canker sore outbreaks can become herpetic in presentation, such as cluster outbreaks of multiple sores. It is not uncommon for severe or herpetic outbreaks to trigger additional symptoms similar to those experienced with a cold sore outbreak, including fever and malaise. Persistent or severe canker sore outbreaks or sores that last for several weeks may be indicative of a more serious medical condition that requires a biopsy of the affected area.
Moderate to severe outbreaks of canker sores and cold sores usually require the use of a topical medication to relieve discomfort and help speed the healing process. Usually, over-the-counter topical ointments are recommended for moderate outbreaks. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe an oral rinse or steroid medication to reduce inflammation if an individual is not responding to traditional treatments. When an existing condition contributes to the development of canker sores, such as impaired immunity, nutritional and dietary supplements may be recommended to boost the body’s defenses and help prevent future outbreaks.
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