Sometimes we’ll confuse a cold sore and a canker sore. How are these different? They both are in the mouth area so how do you tell?

Sometimes you can get a bump inside your inner cheek of your mouth and may call it a cold sore blister. Actually, it is a canker sore and it is not caused by the HSV virus like the cold sore. A canker sore is attributed more to an allergic reaction or weak immune system rather than to a virus or bacterial infection.

In England, a study was completed that showed some possible vitamin deficiencies involved in a canker sore. Specifically, vitamin b twelve, folic acid and iron were lower in those with canker sore eruptions and outbreaks. Other causes for canker sores are digestive issues as well as estrogen changes during one’s menstrual cycle.

If you are plagued by canker sores, get some allergy testing done to help see if the food allergy can be identified.

Cold sores are due to HSV virus and the ones on the lip can last a week to two weeks and cause distress socially for people. They are temporary always seem to pop out at the worst times. This may be logical as stress can trigger them and before a wedding, office presentation or important date are times when we are more anxious. It is frustrating that they heal slowly and the scab will not always heal the first time but needs to go through a few tries due to the fact it gets re-opened when one eats food or laughs.

Lysine is a good supplement to take to help control cold sores and it will counter eating too much argine which puts out of balance the amino acids ratio. Be careful about using nail polish or listerine or certain home remedies for cold sores that are suggested on the internet.

Stop by Cold Sores and Canker Sores for an effective systematic plan to stop the sores.

By Dee Cohen Published: 10/2/2008

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