What is the Difference Between Cold Sore and Canker Sore?

Cold sores and canker sores are both painful oral conditions, but they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. The main differences between them are:

1. Location: Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, typically form on the outside of the mouth, around the lips, while canker sores form inside the mouth, such as on the inner sides of the cheeks or lips, or on the tongue.
2. Appearance: Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that may appear cloudy or as a white bump on the lip. If the blisters burst, they can crust over into a scab. In contrast, canker sores are small, round ulcers with a white or yellow center and a red border.
3. Causes: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Canker sores, on the other hand, are not caused by a virus and are not contagious. The exact cause of canker sores is still unknown, but they may be triggered by factors such as stress, injury, hormonal changes, or certain foods.
4. Treatment: Cold sores can be treated with prescription antiviral medications, either applied topically or taken orally. Canker sores can be treated with over-the-counter gels to numb the pain and by avoiding spicy or abrasive foods. Rinsing the mouth with over-the-counter antiseptic medications may also help prevent infection of the sores.
5. Healing: Cold sores typically heal on their own within a few weeks, while canker sores usually heal without treatment. However, it is essential to consult a doctor if the sores persist for longer than a few weeks, are unusually large, recur frequently, or cause extreme difficulty with eating or drinking.

Comparative Table: Cold Sore vs Canker Sore

Here is a table that highlights the differences between cold sores and canker sores:

Remember to seek medical attention for any mouth sore that is unusually large, doesn't heal after two weeks, recurs frequently, causes extreme difficulty with eating or drinking, or occurs along with a high fever.