Canker Sores? - Bel Air,MD

I would not be too concerned about it. I get them every now and then and so do about 20% of all people. Onset is usually in childhood and 3 does not seem too early.

Since someone else mentioned it though... people often confuse canker sores with Herpes (cold sores).

Canker sores (also called aphtae) are ulcerations of the mucous membrane of the mouth. A canker sore on the lip would be on the inside, the side facing his teeth, the "wet part" not on the "dry part" of the lip. It is not quite clear how they occur but they an an inflammatory response and not infections. Canker sores can be recurrent, they are often treated symptomatically just to alleviate the pain/discomfort.

Herpes or cold sores are cause by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), this is not the same as the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster Virus or VZV). They are related but not the same.
Herpes lesions can occur on the skin (usually around the mouth or on the lips) or on mucous membranes (inside the mouth). If they occur on mucous membranes it is very difficult for a layperson to distinguish them from a canker sore. Herpes is contagious and though most infections are mild it can be dangerous for newborns and immunocompromised people. There is no vaccine for HSV-1 but sometimes treatment with antivirals is indicated, especially for people prone to complications.

If you have a newborn in the house or are due to give birth soon you may want to check in with your pediatrician to make sure it's really a canker sore. Otherwise I would not worry.
Good luck.

He may have bit his lip.

Mimi H. doesn't know what she's talking about. She's providing conflicting information and is confusing fever blisters/cold sores with canker sores.

Sounds like your son does indeed have a canker sore. I got them quite young and my sons (5&7) have had several small ones. Usually too much acidic food, stress, or a mouth injury which turns into one. Nothing to worry about, IMO, since the doctor really can't do much.

Letting a plain aspirin dissolve on the sore helps. Or using Anbesol before eating is good too. They are no fun and hopefully he will grow out of them. Good luck!

I don't know. I'd call and ask his pediatrician's office.

I know that the only time I ever get them is near the end of a stressful time. Usually, if I have lingering stress (like 3 or 4 days of something hanging over my head, or a string of somethings that give me enough time to worry over them before they are done), then I sometimes will develop one just as the stress is dissipating.

My dentist gave me a prescription paste to apply to them when I do get one. It has medication, but also is a waxy substance that coats/protects the sore spot from rubbing against teeth and such.
They normally only last 2 days or so.

Ask his doc. Does your 3 year old have any stress going on?

The chicken pox virus, whether he has had it or you passed it onto him in-utero, will cause a canker sore or fever blister if his immune system is compromised. A depletion of an essential amino acid (L-Lysine) will allow it to come up. Adding L-lysine to his diet will speed the recovery and even prevent one from erupting. It's an essential nutrient so he needs it. There are also L-lysine creams that you can get at the health food store. This is not a prescription and it has absolutely no side effects.

An absorbable multivitamin will help on a daily basis. Dodge Walmart (and Walmart type) brands and Flintstones as they are not only ineffective but can be dangerous.

Hope this helps soon!
M.

P.S. Even Aphthous ulcers can benefit from L-lysine. Sometimes you can't tell them apart. Fever blisters, sometimes called Canker sores can show up inside the mouth as well.

Don't rule out that it is impossible that he bit his lip.

I had them a lot while growing up as did my daughter. I don't know the cause but they are painful.

Just ask your Dr., next time you are in for a visit.