Canker Sore vs. Cold Sore: What’s the Difference?
Lauren Coin
| 3 min read
It’s common for people to confuse canker sores and cold sores, but these conditions are actually very different. Understanding their various causes and symptoms is crucial for proper prevention and treatment.
What is a canker sore?
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that form inside your mouth. They can appear on your gums, roof of your mouth, inside your lip or on or under your tongue, according to the Cleveland Clinic. They are not contagious but can be painful and make eating and talking difficult.
These ulcers are typically round or oval in shape with a white or yellow center and a red border, according to the Mayo Clinic. You may start to notice a tingling or burning sensation a few days before the sores appear.
Canker sores are fairly common, especially in females, teens and young adults. They can be caused by several factors such as stress, mouth injuries or acidic foods. These sores normally go away on their own after a week or two but may require over the counter or prescription products to ease symptoms.
What is a cold sore?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, cold sores, also called fever blisters, are associated with a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. These sores appear as small, fluid-filled blisters or pimpleson and around the lips. Theyare often grouped in patches, per the Mayo Clinic. Although they most commonly form around your mouth, they can also develop on other areas of your face, such as your nose, cheeks or chin.
Cold sores are highly contagious and spread from person to person through close contact such as kissing or sharing items like drinks or utensils. They are a symptom of HSV, which can lay dormant in your nerve cells and periodically reactive when triggered to produce sores.
There is no cure for HSV or cold sores, but treatment, such as antiviral ointments or medicine, can help ease severe symptoms. These symptoms can include a burning or itching sensation, oozing and crusting.
Cold sore blisters break, scab over and typically heal in two to three weeks without leaving a scar. They can be triggered by exposure to extreme weather, a cold, changing hormone levels or stress, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
How are canker and cold sores different?
One of the key differences between these types of sores is that canker sores are not contagious, but cold sores are associated with a highly contagious virus. Canker sores also appear inside your mouth, while cold sores appear outside, per the Cleveland Clinic.
How can I prevent mouth sores?
The risk of canker sores can best be reduced by limiting intake of acidic, salty or spicy foods and practicing good oral hygiene.
Cold sores can be prevented by avoiding skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an active sore, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Be aware when cold sores are oozing, as this is when the sores are the most contagious. Don’t share utensils or glasses.
If you’ve already had one, it’s important to know your body’s triggers to prevent or reduce future outbreaks.
When should I seek medical treatment?
If you have a canker sore that has grown larger, spread, lasted longer than two weeks or is accompanied by a high fever, then you should see your dentist or primary care provider (PCP).
If you have a cold sore that is very large and painful, hasn’t started going away after 10 days or is accompanied by symptoms like swollen gums, contact your PCP. It’s especially important to seek care during your first cold sore outbreak.
Talk to your PCP or dentist if you’re unsure what kind of mouth sore you have.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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