We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. First, these mouth sores show up in different places: Canker sores appear inside your mouth, but cold sores happen outside, says dentist Todd Coy, DMD. Also, while canker sores are not contagious, cold sores involve a very contagious virus. You risk passing cold sores along when you kiss someone, drink out of the same container or share silverware with other people.
While the cause of a canker sore is often hard to pinpoint, stress is one possible cause. Or they may sometimes develop after a mouth injury — such as when you accidentally bite your lip or tongue, says Dr. Acidic fruits and vegetables, including lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, tomatoes and strawberries, can trigger canker sores or make them worse. It also may surprise you to learn that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, sometimes cause canker sores.
Popular Topics. Women's Health. Expert Advice. Patient Stories. Make an Appointment. Schedule a Callback. Call us 24 hours a day. Support Cedars-Sinai. Make a Gift. It's in this phase that you're most likely to stop a herpes outbreak in its tracks.
But even then, you're still contagious. The third stage is the inflammation stage. At this point, if you haven't taken proper precautions in the prodromal stage, the herpes virus targets cells in the lips or mouth, beginning the process of creating a sore. This takes around one day, with swelling and discomfort in the affected area. The fourth stage is the pre-sore stage. Over the course of one to two days, one or multiple small, hard blisters will begin to develop on or around the lips.
These blisters are often painful and can make eating, chewing and moving the lips uncomfortable for the affected person. The fifth stage is the open herpes lesion stage.
During this period, the blister or blisters, if you have multiple sores will open into an exposed sore. Most cold sores remain open for one to two days, during which they are highly infectious. The sixth stage is the crusting stage. It usually takes two to three days for the crust to develop into a scab.
The seventh stage is the healing stage. Even just tickling the spot with your tongue can irritate it and make it worse, says Jennifer Silver, DDS , a dentist based in Calgary, British Columbia.
She further notes the importance of staying away from acidic or spicy foods, which may exacerbate an existing sore. Pain is also common with a canker sore. To relieve tenderness, take ibuprofen Advil or Motrin , suck on ice, or apply oral numbing creams directly to the sore.
Even so, two people living in the same household may develop a canker sore at the same time if they eat the same trigger foods, or if they have similar allergies or intolerances to foods that cause sores. The difference is that cold sores are contagious, so the virus responsible for them can pass from person-to-person through physical contact.
Also, recurrent cold sores form outside of the mouth while canker sores form inside of the mouth. It might take longer for a major or severe canker sore to heal — up to six weeks. Some deeper or larger lesions may need a prescription oral steroid medication dexamethasone or a medicated mouthwash.
Depending on the severity and duration of a canker sore, your doctor may suggest a cautery procedure. This might be an option for canker sores that cause severe pain. For example, if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency , supplement with a multivitamin and eat a balanced diet. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats and whole grains. Silver suggests keeping a food diary and tracking what you eat and drink.
You can also discuss allergy testing with your doctor to identify a food intolerance. Protecting your mouth is another way to prevent lesions.
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