Canker Sores: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

There are three types of canker sores and each of them can be accompanied by a fever, sluggishness or swollen lymph nodes. They are all painful and most are circular with a white or yellow center and red border.

Minor Canker Sores

• According to the Mayo Clinic, these canker sores are oval and clear up on their own in about two weeks.

Major Canker Sores

• These sores are large and irregularly shaped and can last from several weeks to a few years.

Herpetiform Canker Sores

• These sores are usually clusters of tiny sores that can merge to form one larger sore.

Immune System

• Some people have immune systems that attack the healthy cells in their mouths instead of the unhealthy bacteria.

Injury or Illness

• An injury to your mouth from a sports accident or from biting your cheek can cause a canker sore. Also, some diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases and HIV/AIDS can increase your risk for canker sores.

Foods

• People can get them when they have food allergies, and some foods are known to increase risk of developing a canker sore such as eggs, nuts and strawberries.