Sun, 03 May 2026 11:33:50 +0000

You’re Blaming Your Cold Sore—But It’s Actually a Canker Sore: What You Need to Know If you’ve ever waking up with a painful sore on your lips or inner mouth, you might have assumed it was a cold sore—and immediately reached for antiviral creams or medication. But here’s a common but often misunderstood truth: that irritation could actually be a canker sore, not a cold sore caused by the herpes simplex virus. In this article, we break down the key differences between these two painful mouth sores, explain why misdiagnosis happens, and guide you on how to identify the real culprit—and how to treat it effectively. ---