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Canker Sore Symptoms

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Canker Sore Symptoms

Before a canker sore develops, the area will have a tingling, burning or itchy sensation. People who experience cold sores usually equate this preliminary symptom with the onset of a blister - which is partly why canker sores are confused with cold sores. After a few days, a small lesion appears which can be felt with the tongue or finger. At this point, the lesion or canker can start to become painful, especially when agitated such as when eating. As the lesion grows, it ulcerates (breaking an opening in the mucous membrane or ‘skin’ of the inside of the mouth) and usually forms a whitish outline or halo. At this point, the canker sore is usually very painful and can be red, grey, whitish or yellow in the center sometimes accompanied by a white outline. The greyish/whitish membrane of the canker is due to proteins and coagulants accumulating at the ulcer in an effort to repair the skin or membrane. Typically, normal minor ulcerations or canker sores will go slowly decrease in size and discomfort until they are completely gone.

Canker sores can be very painful, regardless of where they are situated in the mouth. In many cases, simply eating alone can cause agonizing pain. Other types of agitation can be from being rubbed by the tongue or lips, or even accidentally bitten which is common with canker sores on the cheek area. Chronic dry mouth, or xerostomia, can exacerbate the onset of canker sores and their painful symptoms.

Major apthous ulcers are larger than minor cankers, and are usually much more painful. Major canker sores are usually distinguished by their size and irregularity of their shape. Where minor ulcerations are almost always round or oval in shape, major ulcerations are irregular and random, like the shapes of random countries on a map. Symptoms of major ulcers are the same as minor ulcers with the exception that they can last longer (sometimes years) and usually result in permanent scarring of the membrane.

Canker Sore Lifecycle:

• 1-3 days before canker sore appears: burning, tingling or itchy feeling at a certain area in the mouth
• 1-3 days after canker sore appears: small red or white lesion or bump, somewhat painful
• 3-7 days after canker sore appears: full blown canker sore ulcer, with red or whitish-grey interior and sometimes with a white outline
• *7 days to 3 weeks after canker sore appears: canker sore slowly recedes and finally disappears completely

*In extreme cases, canker sores can last for months or even years. Visit your physician if your canker sore does not heal on its own.

Next: What Causes a Canker Sore?

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