Cold Sore – What is it, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Cold sore – What is it, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments. In addition, oral ulcers, also called aphthous ulcers, aphthous stomatitis or simply canker sores , are very common lesions of the oral mucosa. Canker sores are benign lesions that do not usually cause major problems other than discomfort. However, some more serious diseases of the oral cavity can manifest with very similar ulcerated lesions, which can cause some confusion. An example is cancer of the oral cavity, which in the early stages can look like a cold sore .
Canker sores can be simple or complex. Simple cold sores recur about three to four times a year. This is a common type in people between the ages of 10 and 20. A complex cold sore is not as common and develops in people who have had it before.
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Neither type of thrush is contagious, and both usually heal on their own within one to three weeks, although the pain typically subsides in seven to 10 days.
Contact Your Doctor or Dentist if You Develop:
- big wounds
- an outbreak of wounds
- excruciating pain
- High fever
- Diarrhea
- Eruption
- Headache
You should also seek medical care if you are unable to drink fluids or your cold sore has not healed within three weeks.
Symptoms of Thrush include:
- A small, oval-shaped ulcer that is white or yellow
- A painful red area in the mouth
- A tingling sensation in the mouth
- In some cases, the following symptoms may be present:
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Fever
If a cold sore doesn’t heal within two weeks, contact your doctor. This could be a symptom of mouth cancer .
What are the Causes and Risk Factors: Your risk of developing thrush increases if you have a family history of thrush . There are several causes of thrush. In some cases, the cause cannot be determined. The most common causes include:
- a viral infection
- Stress
- hormonal fluctuations
- Food allergy
- menstrual cycle
- Vitamin or mineral deficiency
- Immune system problem
- mouth injury
How a Thrush is Treated: Thrush usually heals without treatment. To speed up the healing process, you should avoid spicy foods. You should also brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep the area from getting infected by bacteria.
The pain can be severe at times. You can lessen the discomfort in several ways. For example, you can gargle with mouthwash or salt water. Although you will feel uncomfortable at first, it will help to reduce the pain. You can also use a topical agent such as orabase to numb the area.
Your doctor or dentist may prescribe:
- Antimicrobial mouthwash
- Antibiotic
- corticosteroid ointment
- prescription mouthwash
Tips to Avoid Thrush: You can prevent the recurrence of thrush by avoiding foods that can trigger the outbreak. These often include spicy, salty or acidic foods. Also, avoid foods that cause the symptoms of an allergy, such as itchiness, a swollen tongue, or hives.
If your canker sores appear due to stress, you can use stress reduction methods and calming techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
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Also, practice good oral health and use a soft brush to avoid irritating your gums and soft tissue. Talk to your doctor to determine if you have any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. They can help design a proper diet plan and prescribe individual supplements if you need them.