Sunday, February 26, 2012

Are Canker/Mouth Sores and Cold Sores the same?

Canker sores and cold sores are not one and same; they are different and are not linked to one another. The cold sore is a symptom of herpes. It is caused by Herpes simplex viruses is responsible for the infection. Whereas the canker sore is not infections or not contagious while the cold sore is.

Canker sores: These are the sores which appear inside the mouth and they are common. They are often caused by trauma and they heal quickly on their own without any treatment. These sores or ulcers are almost always found on the cheeks, inner lip, tongue and sometimes the throat. They are usually small and whitish or yellowish color in appearance and a reddish halo usually surrounds them. Rarely, a canker sore can be very large with a raised border.

Usually a canker sore appears or begins as a red bump or spot and produces a tingling or burning sensation. These sores are painful and better to consult a doctor if they are present more than two or three weeks.

There is no certain cause of causing canker sores. But genetics play a role. These are the harmless sores that may be caused by the white blood cells or lymphocytes which affect the lining of the mouth causing irritation and pain.

Emotional stress and certain foods like spicy and hot foods may increase the possibility. Biting the inner cheeks also may cause canker sores. Sometimes, vitamin deficiency causes canker sores. There is no permanent cure for canker sores but medications like numbing agents and protective ointments, avoiding spicy and hot foods may offer temporary relief for the pain.

Cold sores: Cold sores also known as fever blisters which are small and painful blisters that appear usually on the outer lip. These may appear on the face or also may be inside the mouth or nose. These are the most common places, but may appear anywhere on the body. They usually cause pain, burning sensation or itching before they burst and crust over.

Cold sores are caused by herpes virus Type I which appear around the mouth. This type of virus is highly contagious and infectious. It is contagious, that is one person may get the infection from another by bodily contact.

Some people never get a cold sore because the virus becomes never active in their body. Some may affect only once in their life but never again, whereas some people get cold sores frequently, 2 to 3 times per year because the virus becomes active periodically.

The infection erupts throughout the mouth and can cause painful lesions and some people may become ill for a week. But most of the people do not get sick by cold sores.

It's better and best to not to touch the active cold sores and washing your hands immediately is the next step if touched because it is highly contagious. It can pass to other parts of your body or to other persons easily who have weakened immune system such as infants or cancer or HIV patients.

Cold sores also clear up themselves without treatment. However, some antiviral ointment's usage can speed up the healing time if used in correct time. That is the ointment used in the initial stage, when you feel itching doesn't have much effect.

It's important to consult a doctor if the sores don't heal by themselves within 7 to 10 days, if get cold sores frequently and if you have bacterial infections such as fever, pus or spreading redness.

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