Blisters in Mouth and Throat

Mouth sores or blisters could be caused due to a variety of reasons. It is a very annoying condition that affects both children and adults. When small lesions start appearing on the lining of the soft tissue of the mouth, the sufferer experiences a great deal of discomfort while eating or drinking. These painful fluid-filled mouth blisters can occur singly or in clusters on the tongue, lips, gums or inside of the cheeks. Sometimes these could also be contagious. Here's some information on the common causes of blisters in mouth and throat.

Why Do Blisters Appear in the Mouth and Throat?

Mouth ulcers can be categorized into cold sores and canker sores. Though many people use the term canker sores and cold sores interchangeably, let me tell you that these are two different conditions. Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters. These are fluid-filled blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus. These generally appear on the lips, but such lesions could also appear on the gums and roof of the mouth. These are quite painful and are contagious also.

Canker sores, on the other hand, are round or oval lesions that are white or yellow at the center and are surrounded with a red outline. An injury to the tissue could be responsible for the formation of a canker sore on the lip, mouth or inside of the cheeks. Lesions could also appear if you bite the inside of your cheeks while eating. Sometimes the oral tissues might get irritated when you use a hard-bristled toothbrush. Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate can also irritate the oral tissues and lead to the formation of sores in mouth and throat.

Ill fitting dentures and braces could also irritate the oral tissues and cause ulcers in mouth. Consumption of spicy or acidic foods or food allergies is one of the common causes of mouth ulcers. Nutritional deficiencies could also cause ulcers in mouth. If your diet doesn't include adequate amounts of vitamin B12, folic acid or iron, it could lead to the appearance of blood blisters in the mouth. Hormonal imbalances and stress can also make one prone to developing canker sores. If anyone in your family is suffering from canker sores, you might be more vulnerable. Sometimes mouth sores might be a symptom of other medical conditions. Behcet's disease, neutrophil dysfunction diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and hormonal imbalances could also cause mouth sores. Viral and bacterial infections such as sore throat, tonsillitis or oral herpes could also cause mouth ulcers.

Treatment

Generally, ulcers that appear in the mouth resolve on their own within a few days, but since these can be caused due to oral herpes or other viral or bacterial infections, you must consult a doctor. Anti-viral medications might be required for cold sores treatment. Since these can be painful, doctors might prescribe pain killers. Use of medicated toothpastes, anti-microbial mouth rinses or corticosteroids might also prove beneficial. For those suffering from blisters due to nutritional deficiencies, the doctor might suggest the use of certain nutritional supplements. You must also make sure that the lining of the soft tissue of your mouth doesn't get damaged due to consumption of spicy or acidic foods. Make sure that your toothpaste doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is important too. Those suffering from recurrent outbreaks of canker sores can also apply honey, aloe vera, milk of magnesia or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for getting relief from canker sores.

If you suffer due to frequent outbreaks of mouth sores, consult a doctor soon. Changing your dietary habits and improving your oral hygiene products might also prove useful.