For many people, particularly those who have not suffered from cold sores in the past, it can be difficult to know whether the sore on or around your mouth should prompt a call to the doctor or simply an application of the best cold sore treatment in your cupboard.
With this in mind, it can be helpful to be able to differentiate between the three major types of sore that can develop around the mouth: cold sores, canker sores or, most worrying of all, lesions that may be a sign of cancer. Here we briefly summarise each of the three types so that you can work out whether you need to book an appointment with your GP or simply begin a course of the best cold sore treatment.
Canker Sores
Around 8 in 10 of people in the UK experience canker sores. In fact, canker sores are not nearly as horrendous as they sound; calling them by their other name – aphthous mouth ulcers – somehow makes them sound less like a biblical affliction and more like what they actually are: small ulcers that occur inside the mouth, on the tongue or the inside of the lips. Canker sores generally heal naturally within a couple of weeks and are only likely to be painful if they crack open or get in the way of your bite. Eat plenty of healthy fresh food as a preventative measure and to hasten recovery time. Canker sores are not contagious.
Cold Sores
Cold sores most commonly occur around the mouth and lips. Initially, they appear as blisters, but after a while open, release fluid and crust up. Cold sores are contagious and can be spread by sharing cutlery, foodstuffs or kissing, even if the carrier does not appear to be symptomatic.
Oral Cancer Lesion
Cancerous lesions could at first easily be confused for either a canker sore or a cold sore. However, the discoloured sore will not heal over time and will eventually spread. If you are in any doubt whatsoever about whether you have a cold sore, canker sore or potentially cancerous lesion, you should speak with your GP, dentist or other physician.
Your Journey Finding the Best Cold Sore Treatment
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