{"id":8569,"date":"2026-01-12T11:37:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/?p=8569"},"modified":"2026-01-12T11:37:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:37:08","slug":"be-careful-if-it-comes-out-of-your-mouth-you-are-infected-with-see-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/?p=8569","title":{"rendered":"!! BE CAREFUL If it comes out of your mouth, you are infected with&#8230;See more"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>!! BE CAREFUL If it comes out of your mouth, you are infected with&#8230;See more<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8570\" src=\"https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_2026-01-12_18-33-46.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_2026-01-12_18-33-46.jpg 720w, https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/photo_2026-01-12_18-33-46-238x300.jpg 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"col lg-11 md-10 article-headings\">\n<h1 class=\"article-title\">Is It a Canker Sore or a Cold Sore?<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article-subtitle\">Understanding Two Common Mouth Sores<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col lg-11 md-10 article-text\">\n<div class=\"row quote-twitter\">\n<div class=\"col md-7\">\n<p>Have you ever had a painful sore pop up in or around your mouth? If so, you may have wondered if it was a canker sore or a cold sore. While these sores might seem similar at first glance, they\u2019re actually quite different. Knowing what sets them apart will help you properly address them.<\/p>\n<h3>Appearance: Spotting the Difference<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"float-sm-right align-center p-2\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/-\/media\/northwestern\/healthbeat\/images\/healthy-tips\/is-it-a-canker-or-cold-sore_in1.jpg\" alt=\"Close up image of cold sores below a person's bottom lip\" width=\"375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"small\"><em>Cold sores can appear in a cluster of blisters.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Cold Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Ever had a pesky little blister pop up on your lip? That\u2019s probably a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/conditions-and-care-areas\/dermatology\/cold-sores\">cold so<\/a>re\u00a0(also called a fever blister). These fluid-filled troublemakers usually pop up on or around your lips and, although less likely, sometimes inside your mouth. They can show up in the form of a single blister or a group of them, and they tend to get crusty when they burst.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"float-sm-right align-center p-2\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/-\/media\/northwestern\/healthbeat\/images\/healthy-tips\/is-it-a-canker-or-cold-sore_in2.jpg\" alt=\"Close up image of a canker sore on someone's lip.\" width=\"375px\" \/><figcaption class=\"small\"><em>Canker sores are white or yellow with a red border.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Canker Sores (<\/strong><strong>aphthous ulcers):<\/strong>\u00a0If you spot a sore inside your mouth maybe while you brush your teeth, you\u2019re likely dealing with a\u00a0canker sore. Canker sores always appear inside your mouth. These are small, round sores that are white or yellow with a red border. You\u2019ll find them on your tongue, gums, inside your cheeks, lips or soft palate. Canker sores that persist for several days to several months are called recurrent aphthous stomatitis.<\/p>\n<h3>Causes: What\u2019s Behind the Sores?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Cold Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex-1 (HSV-1). The herpes simplex virus is contagious and can spread through things like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kissing someone who has a cold sore<\/li>\n<li>Sharing a drinking glass with someone who has a cold sore<\/li>\n<li>Sharing utensils with someone who has a cold sore<\/li>\n<li>Sharing lip balm with someone who has a cold sore<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Most people are first exposed to the HSV-1 virus during childhood. This initial infection can be quite uncomfortable and often causes symptoms like fevers, headaches and very painful sores inside the mouth and on the lips.<\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s the kicker. After getting infected, the virus doesn\u2019t just go away. Instead, it stays dormant inside your nerves, until something triggers it. Common triggers include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stress<\/li>\n<li>Illness<\/li>\n<li>Too much time in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When the virus gets re-triggered, it can cause cold sores. While you\u2019re more likely to spread the virus when you have visible sores or just before they appear, it\u2019s worth noting that in rare cases, the virus can spread without any visible signs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canker Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not caused by a virus, and they\u2019re not contagious. Although their cause isn\u2019t exactly known, these sores may be triggered by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mouth injuries or irritation, such as accidentally biting your cheek or friction from braces<\/li>\n<li>Allergies or sensitivities to specific foods or products, including citrus fruits or certain toothpastes. Consuming certain types of foods, like spicy foods, can increase your risk of developing canker sores.<\/li>\n<li>Nutritional deficiencies<\/li>\n<li>High levels of emotional stress, which can impact your body\u2019s immune system<\/li>\n<li>Some infections or illnesses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The likelihood of canker sores tend to run in families (For example, if your family members get them often, you\u2019re more likely to as well.), and they are more common in children and adolescents.<\/p>\n<h3>Symptoms: Signs to Watch For<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Cold Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Cold sore symptoms\u00a0can vary. Some people have no symptoms with their first outbreak while others experience flu-like symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they will likely last between two and 20 days after getting exposed to the virus. These symptoms include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tingling or itching before the blister appears<\/li>\n<li>Painful blisters that eventually crust over<\/li>\n<li>Burning sensation<\/li>\n<li>Dry or irritated lips<\/li>\n<li>Crusty sores that last for up to three weeks<\/li>\n<li>Fever<\/li>\n<li>Swollen lymph glands<\/li>\n<li>Muscle aches<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Sometimes, the virus can spread to your eyes. If this happens, you might notice your eyes become red, itchy or puffy. Seek immediate medical care if this happens.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canker Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Canker sores typically appear suddenly and without warning. They can be quite painful and uncomfortable, especially when eating or drinking.<\/p>\n<h3>How to Treat Canker Sores and Cold Sores: Managing the Discomfort<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Cold Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0While there\u2019s no cure for cold sores, antiviral medications can help them heal faster. These can be taken as pills or applied as creams. Without treatment, cold sores typically heal within two to three weeks.<\/p>\n<p>For people who get cold sores often, your physician might recommend a preventive medication. There are also simple steps you can take to help reduce the duration of an active cold sore. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Finding healthy ways to\u00a0manage stress<\/li>\n<li>Staying healthy to avoid colds and the\u00a0flu<\/li>\n<li>Getting\u00a0seven to eight hours\u00a0of uninterrupted sleep at night<\/li>\n<li>Using sunscreen and lip balm with SPF when in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Canker Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Most canker sores will heal on their own within one to two weeks, but they can still cause pain. Over-the-counter topical treatments can help relieve this. In severe cases, a prescription medication may be needed.<\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re waiting them out, you can take some simple steps to make your mouth a bit more comfortable. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rinsing your mouth out with salt water several times a day. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or milk of magnesia as mouth rinses. Hydrogen peroxide is dangerous to ingest. You can put a small amount of milk of magnesia on a cotton swab and dab it on your canker sore several times a day.<\/li>\n<li>Applying ice<\/li>\n<li>Avoiding foods that may irritate the sores (like citrus fruits and spicy foods)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>When to Seek Care for Your Sores<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Cold Sores:<\/strong>\u00a0Most cold sores will heal on their own, but there are times when you should seek care. Reach out to your physician if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your sores don\u2019t heal within two to three weeks.<\/li>\n<li>You have frequent outbreaks.<\/li>\n<li>Your sores are unusually large or painful.<\/li>\n<li>You have difficulty eating or drinking due to pain.<\/li>\n<li>You develop a fever or other symptoms of illness.<\/li>\n<li>Your sores are near your eye.<\/li>\n<li>Your sores look infected.<\/li>\n<li>You are taking other medications.<\/li>\n<li>You are pregnant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Canker Sores:\u00a0<\/strong>Canker sores will also heal on their own, but you should seek care from a doctor or dentist if your sores:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are very painful<\/li>\n<li>Last more than two to three weeks<\/li>\n<li>Are very large in size<\/li>\n<li>Keep coming back<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cBoth canker sores and cold sores can be a nuisance, but your physician likely has some prevention and treatment strategies they can discuss with you. They are definitely worth mentioning at your next visit, especially if they are happening frequently,\u201d says\u00a0Emily M. Tuerk, MD, an internal medicine and pediatrics physician at Northwestern Medicine. \u201cYour physician can confirm your diagnosis based on your history and make recommendations, so you can continue enjoying life without worrying about them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>!! BE CAREFUL If it comes out of your mouth, you are infected with&#8230;See more Is It a Canker Sore or a Cold Sore? Understanding Two Common Mouth Sores Have &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>!! BE CAREFUL If it comes out of your mouth, you are infected with...See more - News USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newsusa33.com\/?p=8569\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"!! 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