Canker Sores

Canker Sores?

A canker sore
is an open sore formed on soft tissues inside the mouth.

Pharmacist

Close

Canker sores develop on soft tissues in the mouth such as on the tongue, inner lips, inside the cheeks or floor of the mouth. If the sore is on the outer part of the lips or side of the mouth, you will be looking at a cold sore (fever blisters).

Canker sore (inside the mouth) would cause a burning sensation or pain and this can last for about one week.

Let's see what is available over the counter to take care of canker sores.

Man with cankersore

Canker sores

Need a doctor?

First, do you need to see a doctor for this canker sore?

Pharmacist

It would be important to rule out anything major that may be causing it such as drug allergies, any kind of allergy or viral infection.

Do you also have fever with this sore in the mouth?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Possible viral infection going on.

What about swollen lymph nodes?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Possible viral or bacteria infection

Do you have a skin rash with this canker sore?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Possible allergic reaction.

What about diarrhea with this canker sore?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Possible viral infection
Dehydration is possible

Is this your third or more canker sore this year?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Need complete evaluation as to the cause.

Is this mouth sore so bad that you can hardly eat or drink?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

If you can hardly eat, drink or swallow for instance, you will need a magic mouthwash that includes lidocaine. You need a prescription for this.

Continuing assumes you don't think you need to see a doctor.

Pharmacist

Before you see what a pharmacist recommend you use over-the-counter, let's see if you are looking at a canker sore to begin with.

Canker sore

Is it canker sore?

In front of a mirror, take a look at the affected area.

Do you see one or more painful red spots or bumps?

Pharmacist

Yes?
May be the beginning of the formation of the canker sore.

Pharmacist

Usually, this red spots or bumps would develop into an open ulcer very soon.

Do you see a sore with a middle that is white or yellow?

This may be surrounded by a bright, slightly raised red margins.

Pharmacist

OK.
Most likely looking at a canker sore.

Pharmacist

What about a gray area?

Sore may turn gray just before starting to heal.

Pharmacist

Yes?
They must have started to heal or are about to start healing.

Pharmacist

Let's see what may have caused it.

No?

Oh well, we just described the signs of a canker sore.

Pharmacist

If you are still thinking canker sore, would you like to continue or seek urgent care?

Urgent Care Continue