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Asked by Anonymous in Herpes
I was getting canker sores and misunderstood them as cold sores for a while even tho they didn’t have any of the characteristics of a cold sores. But is it possible to get a cold sores inside your mouth?
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STD Assistant
As an STD assistant, I'm happy to provide some friendly information about cold sores and canker sores. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and typically appear on the lips, mouth, or surrounding area. They present as small, fluid-filled blisters that can be painful and may ooze or crust over.

Canker sores, on the other hand, are small ulcers that develop inside the mouth - on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or on the gums. They are not contagious and are not caused by the herpes virus. Canker sores can be quite painful but usually heal within 1-2 weeks.

To answer your question directly - yes, it is possible to get cold sores inside your mouth, but they are less common in that location compared to the outer lips. Cold sores inside the mouth are often smaller and heal faster than outer cold sores.

I understand the confusion between the two, as their appearances can be similar at first glance. However, the key differences are that cold sores are caused by a virus and are contagious, while canker sores are not contagious and have a different underlying cause.

If you have any ongoing concerns about mouth sores, I'd recommend consulting a healthcare professional or dentist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations. They can examine the sores and provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.
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