Copyright (c) 2010 JB Harrison
Cold Sore
Oral herpes forms as a small blister or blisters that take form around the outside of the mouth. If a cold sore gets inside of the mouth, it will appear on the roof of the mouth.
The blisters are generally clear and filled with fluid and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus lives inside of the nerve tissue in the body.
HSV-1 lesions are also referred to as fever blisters, but cold sores are not the same as genital herpes. The virus may lie dormant for years or symptoms may never appear; about 20% of people that have the virus actually have a cold sore outbreak.
Most people get their first breakouts as children. People can experience flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, a sore throat and body aches with cold sores, but such extreme symptoms are rare as the main symptom is a painful blister.
The pain worsens once the blister has ruptured and post- lesion "crusting" begins. Cold sores are highly contagious, it is recommended that you do not kiss anyone, share eating utensils, a toothbrush or any other items with anyone when you have an outbreak.
Catching a cold sore early enough and treating it quickly can appreciably reduce the the amount of healing time for a breakout.
The lesion usually does not leave a scar behind, but some redness in affected area will occur. Some people have found that adding lysine to their diets; can help their outbreaks of cold sores. Sunlight, chocolate, seeds or gelatins are also things a person can avoid if they have frequent cold sores.
Canker Sore
A canker sore is painful, open sore that usually develops on the inner membranes of the mouth or cheek; at time, they can also look like pimples on the tongue.
Canker sores are generally found on the movable parts of the mouth and often starts out as a round swelling before it becomes a blister. Caused by a bacterial infection, canker sores differ mainly from cold sores in this way. Cold sores are caused by two different viral strains.
A canker sore on average take about two weeks to heal, can leave a scare and most people will have their first canker sore between the ages of 10 and 20.
Some children do develop canker sores but is more prominent in pre-teens and adults. Some people have canker sores a few times a year while others may have them one right after the other.
Canker sores are not contagious and women are more likely than men to have recurring canker sores. People who have lots of canker sores are some time prescribed steroids or other immune-suppressant medications by their physician to help.
It is difficult at best to tell a cold sore from a canker sore by simply looking at them. It is best if you have a sore and do not know if it is a canker sore or a cold sore, err on the side of caution and treat is as a cold sore.
Cankers sores, if recurring frequently, can in some cases be a sign of a more serious ailment known as Cohn's or Becket's disease. An oral pathologist can make the distinction in these cases and it is recommended to see professional advice.
OTC and prescribed canker sore treatments such as; Abseil, Or a base and Zilactin are readily available.
Although, none of these products are cures for canker sore, they may greatly reduce the amount of pain experienced and speed up healing for the sufferer.
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