Cancer Sores

                                 FAMILY GENTLE DENTAL CARE
                                                        DR. DAN PETERSON
                                                                      1415 SAGE STREET ~ GERING, NEBRASKA 69341
                                                                    Call: 308-436-3491       www.dentalgentlecare.com

CANKER SORES

FEVER BLISTERS

Both of these condition cause small sores to develop in or around the mouth, and often are confused with each other.

Cancer sores occur only INSIDE the mouth-on the tongue and the inside linings of the cheeks, lips and throat.
Fever blisters usually occur OUTSIDE the mouth-on the lips, chin, cheeks or in the nostrils. If they do occur inside the mouth, it is usually on the gums or the roof of the mouth. Inside the mouth, fiver blisters are smaller than canker sores, heal more quickly and often begin as a blister.

Fever Blisters

They are caused by a contagious virus called herpes simplex. There are two types of herpes simplex virus.

	Type 1-95% of recurrent fever blister outbreaks are caused by this virus
	Type 2-genital herpes 5-10% of the cases

Herpes simplex virus is highly contagious when fever blisters are present and is frequently spread by kissing. Most people with type 1 virus become infected before the age of 10.

In initial infection for most people have no symptoms. 15%, however, develop:

	Fluid-filled blisters inside and outside their mouth 3-5 days after they are infected
	Fever
	Swollen neck glands
	General aches
	Blisters merge than collapse
	A yellowish crust form over the sores
	Healing occurs within 2 weeks without scaring
	This virus stays in the body
	Recurring blister tend to erupt at the outside edge of the lip/edge of nostril
	Recurrent fever blister attacks are less server than th initial infection
	Recurrences appear less after age 35

Cause for a recurrence of fever blister:

Emotional stress
Fiver
Illness
Injury
Exposure to sunlight
Menstruation

Treatment: None.

Some medication will relieve some of the pain and discomfort associated with the sores. Here is what you can do:

	Antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infection
	Ointments to soften the crusts of the sores
	Keep blisters clean and dry to prevent bacterial infection
	Eat a soft, bland diet to avoid irritating the sores
	Do not touch the sores and spread the virus to new sites
	Avoid kissing others or touching the blisters and touching others, this will infect others
	Sunscreen on lips can prevent sun-induced recurrences of herpes
	Reapply sunblock factor of 15 or higher frequently during sun exposure
	Reduce stress in life

Click here to learn more about Canker sores.

If you have any questions please e-mail me at: drdpeterson@scottsbluff.net
308-436-3491 Office number

PLEASE NOTE: The information contained herein is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be construed as the delivery of dental/medical care and is not a substitute for personal hands on dental/medical attention, diagnosis or treatment. Persons requiring diagnosis, treatment, or with specific questions are urged to contact your family dental/health care provider for appropriate care.
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