WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE...

...between a cold sore and an ulcer?

BOTH are irritating and sometimes painful sores that appear around the mouth.

Cold sores develop on the lips and are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and the fluid within the blisters is contagious. Eventually they will crust over and heal, and, over time will stop being contagious.

Ulcers are not contagious. These usually appear inside the mouth and are caused by factors such as stress, smoking, burns from food, or, rarely, a malfunctioning immune system.

To get rid of ulcers, medics usually suggest washing the mouth with salt and water. If they become severe, a doctor may investigate underlying causes. Ulcers can also occur elsewhere in the body, including the stomach lining.