What Is the Difference Between a Canker Sore and a Cold Sore?
One of the more obnoxious things in life is when you wake up and notice a little white bump on the inside of your mouth or on your lips, especially when you’re not sure exactly what it is.
Recognizing the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore is essential for adequately treating either affliction and ensuring you are not spreading cold sores to anyone else. Cold sores (or fever blisters) are viral infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. On the other hand, canker sores are NOT a result of a viral or bacterial infection, and their cause is still relatively unknown. Scientists speculate canker sores may result from a vitamin B12 deficiency, an overproduction of the protein TNF-alpha, or a combination of both.
Learn how to spot the differences between canker sores and cold sores below.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are painful, white, yellow, or sometimes gray sores that form inside the mouth, usually on the cheeks, lips, or tongue. Also called aphthous ulcers, canker sores are not contagious.
Although the exact cause of canker sores is unknown, triggers like injury, stress, hormonal changes, smoking, or nutritional deficiencies can increase the severity or number of canker sores you experience.
Symptoms of canker sores include:
- A sore with a red border inside the mouth that lasts between seven to 10 days.
- A burning or tingling sensation to the formation of a sore.
Lifestyle changes, like cutting spicy or acidic foods from your diet, can help prevent canker sores. Cutting back on alcohol and soda can also make a difference. The best prevention method is maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine.
Cold Sores
On the other hand, cold sores are painful, fluid-filled sores that form on the outside of the mouth around the lips. Also called fever blisters, cold sores are highly contagious.
An infection of the herpes simplex virus, typically type 1 or HSV-1, causes cold sores. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, between 50% and 80% of American adults are infected with the herpes simplex virus, but many people never show symptoms. The virus lives in nerve cells around the mouth that can reactivate, causing recurring cold sores.
Symptoms of cold sores include:
- Fluid-filled blisters on the outside of the mouth.
- A burning or tingling sensation before the formation of a sore.
- Sometimes fever, fatigue, or swelling of the lymph nodes, similar to other viral infections.
Topical, antiviral medications treat cold sores by decreasing their size and reducing pain. Excessive sun exposure can also trigger cold sores, so use sunscreen to reduce their frequency. Avoid kissing, sharing utensils or cups, or close contact if you are experiencing symptoms. If your sores last longer than a few weeks or you develop flu-like symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately.
How Cankerboy Can Help
Now that you are an expert on the difference between canker sores and cold sores, it is worth knowing how Cankerboy’s Canker Sore Solution can help those prone to developing canker sores.
The solution works by treating the root cause of canker sores, not just the symptoms, as it regulates your immune system’s production of TNF-alpha and vitamin B12. Cankerboy expedites the healing process and prevents future canker sores from forming by providing your body with the nutrients it needs.
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