By Jana Taylor
Cold sores are commonly confused with canker sores (and vice versa), but they are definitely not caused by the same thing! They are easily confused because they both occur around the mouth, and in most cases they manifest similarly and are painful. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, while canker sores are thought to be caused by an autoimmune problem – typically a reaction to stress, or something you’ve recently eaten, like acidic foods or even chocolate. Canker sores and cold sores are not even in the same ballpark in regards to their causes, although they are very similar in nature.
Canker sores can appear anywhere inside the mouth. They are characterized by small shallow sores (ulcerations) on the inside of the lips, mouth and even occasionally the tongue. They are whitish in color and sometimes ringed in red. And as anyone who has had them knows, they are painful in almost all cases, and can last a week or maybe even two. The good news is that because they are not caused by a virus, they are not contagious, so feel free to kiss whomever you want if you have a canker sore.
In the past, the traditional treatment for canker sores has been limited to oral pain medications, which mask the pain until they clear on their 
own. Fortunately though, you can try a different approach with a modern remedy like Canker & Cold Sore Relief by our sister company Liddell™ Laboratories.
Cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus, generally occur on the outside of the mouth around the lips and show up as painful fluid filled blisters, which can break open. They can show up as a single blister or even a cluster. The unfortunate thing about cold sores is that they are contagious, especially when the sores are oozing. When you have a cold sore, you want to avoid kissing (although with a big lesion on your face, people may try to avoid kissing you!). The herpes virus that causes your occasional cold sore has no known cure, and the virus will remain inside of you forever. Even when no cold sores are present, you can potentially transmit the virus by sharing eating utensils or other innocuous activities. And most alarmingly, some people carry the virus, but never have any symptoms manifest. It is estimated that up to 90% of the American population has been exposed to the virus! So you are in good company.
Cold sores can be treated with over-the-counter medications, and we fully recommend our Cold Sore Rescue® for its effective blend of natural ingredients specifically chosen to provide relief. This unique formula combines the best that homeopathy has to offer with supporting and soothing herbal ingredients. It’s a powerful way to let nature treat a common problem, and we don’t add in unnecessary harsh, synthetic chemicals.
So whether you suffer from cold sores, canker sores… or both, you have two new alternatives to help combat this painful problem.
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Jana Taylor is a staff writer for Peaceful Mountain.
Get rid of chafing once and for all