are the most common infections of the mouth. Although both sores display similarities - in symptoms and treatments they are quite different type of infections. Cold sores can especially be embarrassing as they are outside exposure whereas canker sores are insiders but painful. This table might be helpful if you should become infected with either sore.
| Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers) | Cold Sores (Fever Blisters) |
| Symptoms: rarely w/fever painful inside mouth tongue lip cheek Causes: stress heredity irritating foods pineapples nuts chocolate Prevention & Treatment: minimize stress eat foods rich in iron & B vitimins yogurt rinse mouth w/salt water black tea bag  to ulcershydrogen peroxide diluted w/water earwax (antiseptic effect) rinse w/mylanta or milk magnesia as a protective coat (antibacterial Herbal: goldenseal root (strong tea) myrrh mouthwash burdock -salve Last 7-10 days | Symptoms: fever contagious swollen neck glands outside mouth lip eyes cheek nose herpes simplex virus Causes: emotional stress illness over-exposure to cold wind/sun menstrual periods Prevention & Treatment: minimize stress ski mask in cold weather lemon balm petroleum jelly lysine (virus blocker) for frequent suffers witch hazel or alcohol Herbal: tincture of myrrh  decoction of gentian Do not pick w/cold sores Lasts 8-12 days |
