A cold sore or canker sore is a small, raised, painful area of the lip that is typically filled with fluid. The skin can crack, and become very irritated and red. They typically occur where the lip joins the surrounding skin. The blisters dry up and make a yellow crust which usually heals within a few days to a week. They can sometimes last up to 2 weeks.
Canker sores and cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. You typically get the virus in childhood or early adulthood, and it can produce fever and mouth ulcers throughout the rest of your life.
These cold sores typically appear when people’s immune systems are battered down, or they are sick with something else like a cold or flu. Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light can also bring on an attack of cold sores. Some women find that they developed cold sores more often during particular stages of their menstrual cycle. Interested in treating your canker sore or cold sore in Ajax, Ontario? Schedule an appointment with our dentist near you today!
Depending on the severity of the situation, a doctor can typically prescribe medications for the treatment of the virus when over-the-counter topical ointments cannot control the symptoms.