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Difference Between Canker Sore & Fever Blister

Fever blisters and canker sores are two of the most common diseases of the mouth. Both involve painful, annoying, and embarrassing sores, and are often confused for each other.

  1. Fever Blisters

    • Another name for cold sores, these tiny liquid-filled bumps are preceded by tingling, itching, and burning sensations. Fluid leaks from the sores and forms a crust that gradually falls off and heals. Fever blisters usually occur on the lips, throat, or around the mouth.

    Causes of Fever Blisters

    • Caused by the herpes simplex virus-type 1, fever blisters are either contracted or inherited. The virus lies dormant in the nerves until triggered by stress, injury, illness, or sunlight. Recurrent outbreaks can indicate underlying immune or dietary problems.

    Treatment of Fever Blisters

    • Nutrition, sleep, and stress management may decrease the chances of an outbreak, while ointments like Abreva and prescription Denavir can lessen the pain during an outbreak. For prevention, cut back on foods high in arginine, such as coffee, nuts, chocolate, and replace them with foods high in lysine.

    Canker Sores

    • Usually on the tongue and inner lining of the cheeks, canker sores are painful ulcers that swell, rupture, and generally heal within two weeks. They are rarely associated with other diseases and are not contagious.

    Causes of Canker Sores

    • The leading cause of simple canker sores is stress and tissue injury. In complex cases, canker sores can point to a vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron deficiency. Gastrointestinal tract diseases such as Celiac and Crohn’s disease can contribute to the frequency of outbreaks.

    Treatment of Canker Sores

    • Avoid irritating the sores further with citric and acidic foods. Persistent sores can be treated with prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse or corticosteroid ointment, as well as over-the-counter oral analgesics.

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