Farah Dermatology & Cosmetics Talk

Find out everything you need to know about canker sore causes and treatments.

Canker sores are small painful ulcers that appear in the mouth. You may find that your canker sore makes it difficult to eat or talk without experiencing pain. If you are experiencing sores in the mouth that you think could be canker sores, find out what might be causing this pesky little problem and what you can do to reduce your symptoms and eliminate this mouth ulcer.

Canker Sore Causes

Unfortunately, experts are unsure about what causes canker sores; however, it’s been speculated that either stress or injury to the oral tissues can bring about canker sores. Some canker sores may be brought about by other health disorders that weaken the immune system.

It’s important to note that canker sores and cold sores are not the same things. A virus known as herpes simplex type 1 causes cold sores, and these sores occur outside the mouth. Canker sores, on the other hand, can be brought on by multiple factors, and appear only inside the mouth.

Canker Sore Symptoms

The most obvious symptom is a painful sore or ulcer that appears in the mouth, whether on the tongue, the roof of the mouth, or inside of the cheeks. You may also notice a burning or tingling sensation a couple of days before the sore manifests. The sore is usually round or oval in nature, with a red border and a white, grey, or yellow center.

Canker Sore Treatments

The majority of canker sores will go away on their own without any kind of treatment; however, if you experience pain for more than a few days you may want to talk to your dermatologist about a corticosteroid cream or prescription medication that could help alleviate your symptoms.

If you suspect that you have a canker sore talk to your dermatologist about the most effective defense against canker sores and whether there are certain things you can do to prevent this condition from recurring.