Canker Sores

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Medical Author:

Edmond A Hooker, MD, DrPH

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Canker Sore Overview
• Canker Sore Causes
• Canker Sore Symptoms and Signs
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Canker Sore Diagnosis
• Canker Sore Treatment
• Canker Sore Self-Care and Home Remedies
• Canker Sore Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Canker Sore Prevention
• Canker Sore Prognosis
• Canker Sore Pictures
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Canker Sores from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Canker Sores - Effective Treatments
• Viewer Comments: Canker Sores - Symptoms and Signs

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are among the most common causes of painful sores in the mouth.

• The classic lesion is a small (less than 1 centimeter) oval to round ulcer with a erythematous (red) border. They occur on the mucous membranes inside the mouth.



• From 20%-40% of the U.S. population have them at some point in their lives, and many people with have multiple episodes of them. Unless it is a recurrent problem, no workup or treatment is really needed.



• The peak incidence occurs among people in adolescence and young adulthood. They become less frequent as we get older.



• They occur more frequently in whites, nonsmokers, and people with higher socioeconomic status.



• They are not contagious.



• Canker sores are not the same thing as cold sores. Cold sores ("fever blisters") occur on the outer lip, whereas canker sores are found inside the mouth.

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