Cold sores and canker sores may appear similar but are quite different in terms of causes, symptoms,...



| Characteristic | Cold Sores | Canker Sores | 
| Location | Outside mouth, on lips | Inside mouth, soft tissues | 
| Cause | Herpes simplex virus | Multiple factors (stress, nutrition) | 
| Transmission | Highly contagious | Not transmissible | 
| Appearance | Fluid-filled blisters | White/yellow ulcers with red border | 

