Canker sores

Canker sores are a common disorder of the mouth and are often very painful.  Occurring only inside the mouth, canker sores are found on the tongue, lips, the inside linings of the cheek, and in the throat. Interestingly, canker sores are not a recent occurrence; canker sores have plagued mankind for thousands of years.  Canker sores currently cause discomfort and annoyance to millions of Americans.

Recurrent canker sores afflict about 20 percent of the American population. The medical term for canker sores is aphthous stomatitis.

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Canker sores begin as small oval or round reddish swellings, and then the canker sores usually burst within a day. The ruptured canker sores are covered by a thin white or yellow membrane and edged by a red halo. Generally, the canker sore area heals within 2 weeks. Canker sores often range in size.  One canker sore may be an eighth of an inch wide in mild cases, while another canker sore can be more than an inch wide in severe cases. Severe canker sores may leave scars.

Most people have their first bout with canker sores between the ages of 10 and 20. Children as young as 2, however, may develop a canker sore. The frequency of canker sore recurrences varies considerably. Some people have only one or two flare ups from a canker sore a year, while others may have a continuous series of canker sores.

The cause of canker sores is not well understood. Usually, there is more than one cause that triggers a canker sore.  Canker sores do not appear to be caused by viruses or bacteria, although an allergy to a type of bacterium commonly found in the mouth may trigger them in some people. It is also suspected that food allergies may be a cause of many canker sores. In addition, there is recent research suggesting that canker sores may be caused by a weakened immune system that uses the body's defenses against disease to attack and destroy the normal cells of the mouth or tongue, the result being a canker sore.

The difference between a canker sore and a cold sore

A Canker sore is often confused with a cold sore.  One of the main differences between a cold sore and canker sore is that a cold sore usually occurs outside the mouth, where a canker sore occurs inside the mouth.  

A canker sore is a small ulcer with a white or gray base and red border. There can be one or a number of canker sores in the mouth. Canker sores are very common and often recur.

A cold sore, also called fever blister, or herpes simplex, is caused by the herpes simplex virus. A cold sore is composed of groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometime under the nose or under the chin. Herpes simplex 1 is the usual cause of a cold sore, although herpes simplex 2 can also cause a cold sore.  

Canker sores usually heal in about a week or two. A cold sore usually heals in about 1-2 weeks as well.  Antiviral topical products have been shown to help reduce and treat cold sores caused by herpes simplex infections.  

Nutritional deficiencies are another possible cause of canker sores.  Deficiencies in iron, zinc, B12, and folate (folic acid) have been speculated to contribute to canker sores.

Unfortunately, at this time, doctors don't know of any drugs that prevent canker sores from forming. If you get canker sores often, or if the canker sores are very painful, talk to a health professional for possible all natural canker sore remedies.

What about cold sores?

Ninety percent of all people will have at least one cold sore, (herpes simplex outbreak) sometime in their life.  Some children who are affected with cold sores may become seriously ill. However, after the first cold sore infection, many people develop antibodies to the cold sore virus and never have another cold sore. About 40% of American adults, however, have repeated cold sores.

Cold sores are highly contagious when a flare up is present, and a cold sore can be transmitted even when there is no visible signs of a cold sore, this is called viral shedding. Children often become infected with the cold sore virus by contact with parents, siblings or other close relatives who have cold sores. 

The cold sore virus is highly contagious. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a cold sore must be very cautious when being intimate with another person so as not to transmit the cold sore virus. Those who have symptoms of a cold sore should refrain from contact with another person to help avoid transmission of cold sores.  If the cold sore  virus has been transmitted, the infection is permanent.

Cold sores can be either a one time event or reoccur.  Possible causes of a cold sore reactivating may include stress, fever, menstruation, cold, fatigue and sunlight. Recurrent cold sores usually occur as lesions in or around the mouth. 

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Canker sores