The Difference Between Canker Sores And Cold Sores

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But which is which? Are these sores the same thing?

Although many people use the terms canker sore and cold sore synonymously, they are different conditions. Let’s take a look at these two common types of mouth sores: canker sores (aphthous stomatitis) and cold sores (orofacial herpes).

Canker Sores

A canker sore is a painful ulcer, or open sore, that can develop on the tongue and the inside linings of the cheeks, lips, and throat; you can have more than one at a time, and they can recur throughout your life.

The cause of canker sores is unclear. Genetics plays a role. White blood cells (lymphocytes) in our immune system may affect the lining of the mouth, causing these irritating, but harmless, sores. Fatigue, emotional stress and certain foods can increase the possibility of a canker sore for some people. Even biting the inside of the cheek or tongue or chewing a sharp piece of food may trigger a canker sore. When an open sore becomes infected after its onset, it’s considered a canker sore.

Canker sores are not considered contagious or precancerous and are not caused by the herpes virus, unlike cold sores or herpes blisters. There is no permanent cure for canker sores; therefore, treatment is for discomfort or pain. Over-the-counter topical medications (such as numbing agents or protective ointments) and antimicrobial (germ-fighting) mouth rinses may offer temporary relief. Avoid hot, spicy or acidic foods and beverages that can irritate the sore.

They occur in women more often than men and can occur at any age, but usually first appear between the ages of 10 and 40. In most cases, canker sores will heal by themselves, but may need to be treated depending on the type of infection that sets in.

Treating a Canker Sore

Specific treatment for an attack involves corticosteroids (prednisone-like medications), in either topical or systemic (tablet or capsule) form, that control the troublesome lymphocytes. In most cases, canker sores will heal by themselves, but may need to be treated depending on the type of infection that sets in.

Several herbs are useful in the treatment of canker sores. Most of them contain tannins and have other wound healing properties. Tannin, the common name for tannic acid, is a component of many plants and gives foods a sharp taste. Tannic acid is an antiseptic with broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral action, it's especially helpful for treating mouth sores, which could be caused by a bacterium, a fungus, a virus or an allergy.

• Calendula tea or goldenseal tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of the dried herb. Let this mixture steep for ten minutes. Strain it so that there is no herb left in the liquid and use this tea as a mouthwash three or four times daily.
• Cankerroot (Coptis groenlandica) or goldthread. This plant got its name because of its traditional use as a treatment for canker sores. American Indians and early settlers used cankerroot as a tea to treat both sore throat and canker sores. They chewed raw root for canker sores and fever blisters.
• Liquorice. Liquorice contains tannin, and the compounds glycyrrhetinic-acid and glycyrrhizin. All of these help speed the healing of sores.
• Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum). The Cherokee Indians used wild geranium to stop the bleeding of open wounds and as a wash to treat canker sores. It is widely used as a natural medicine to treat mouth sores.
• Echinacea: The antiviral, immune-enhancing, and wound-healing properties of Echinacea make it a reasonable choice for mouth ulcers. Liquid Echinacea in the amount of 4ml can be swished in the mouth for two to three minutes, then swallowed. This can be repeated three times per day.

Cold sores

Cold sores are groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters often called ‘fever blisters’. These unsightly sores usually erupt on the lips, and sometimes on skin around the lips. Clusters of small blisters also may occur on the gum tissue near the teeth and/or on the bony roof of the mouth.

95 per cent of cold sores are caused by the Type 1 herpes simplex virus and are contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or the flu. The infection can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth, and some patients can be quite ill for about a week.

Unfortunately, once a person has an episode of cold sores, the herpes simplex virus remains in the body for life. The virus lies dormant in the nerve cells of the skin and may emerge again as an active infection at or near the original site. The cold sores will replicate only during an outbreak, usually stemming from fever, stress, or exposure to the sun. After the outbreak has passed, the virus retreats back into the nerve cells, waiting to strike again; the virus’ ability to lie dormant makes it difficult to treat effectively.

Treating Cold Sores

When an open cold sore lesion is present, there is a large chance of spreading the infection to others, so the blistery-lipped should avoid direct contact with others. Also be warned: touching an active sore allows transmittance of the virus through your fingertips.

Though cold sores cannot be cured, anti-viral medications can be helpful to reduce their frequency and to limit the duration of an occurrence and there are also a number of remedies that are effective in treating herpes infections.

• Lysine: an essential amino acid and has been found to inhibit the spread of the herpes simplex virus. Lysine supplements (e.g. 1,000mg taken three times a day) may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) has antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream promoted the healing of blisters in five days compared to 10 days in the control group. Used on regularly, lemon balm cream may decrease the frequency of recurrences.
• Reishi and Astragalus: Preliminary evidence shows that reishi may inhibit the spread of the herpes virus. A typical dose is 600mg once or twice a day. Reishi is often used in conjunction with a herb called astragalus. Astragalus has been found to improve immune function in people with herpes simplex.
• Resveratrol: a compound found naturally in red grapes, has been shown to be active against the herpes simplex virus in laboratory studies.A study by the Northeastern Ohio University demonstrated that resveratrol cream applied topically two, three, or five times a day effectively suppressed cold sore development if it was applied one or 6 hours after infection with the herpes virus.

‘What is the difference between a cold sore and a canker sore? Is it true that if you have a canker sore, you have herpes?’ by Lindsey Bewley, published online 29.01.07, scienceline.org

‘Are Cold Sores Really Herpes? Here's the Truth...’ published online 14.02.09, articles.mercola.com

‘Canker Sores. Herbal Therapy’, published online, holisticonline.com

‘Natural Cold Sore Remedies’ published online 16.10.03, altmedicine.about.com