Sometimes called an aphthous ulcer, a boil that is a canker sore will usually appear on the inside of the lips or cheeks. For approximately one in five people, canker sores are a regular occurrence, and they can cause a great deal of pain.
What causes a boil that is a canker sore?
While they are not contagious (unlike cold sores), you are more likely to develop a boil that is a canker sore if other members of your family have suffered from them. The causes are not well understood, though periods of high stress may be associated with an increased risk, and there appears to be some connection with hormonal fluctuations during a woman’s menstrual cycle. In other cases, it is suspected that nutritional deficiencies or a lowered immune system are responsible.
Signs that a boil is a canker sore
If you are about to develop a boil that is a canker sore, the area may tingle before a small, red bump appears. Next, a boil that is a canker sore will become white or pale yellow in the center, with inflamed, red edges. If you have developed a canker sore, it is also likely to be very painful. In particular, a boil that is a canker sore will sting when exposed to acidic, hot or spicy foods or drinks.
Unlike other sores, a boil that is a canker sore is unlikely to cause you to feel generally unwell, so you should not suffer from a fever or notice any swollen lymph nodes around your neck. These extra symptoms warrant further medical attention.
Treating a boil that is a canker sore
If you have a boil that is a canker sore, it should disappear on its own within a few days or a couple of weeks. In the mean time, anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) can ease your discomfort, and you will need to be careful to avoid the sore when brushing your teeth. In addition, your doctor or dentist may suggest a topical treatment such as fluocinonide gel.
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