A cold sore, also called a fever blister, is a common, contagious mouth disorder caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is a lesion that nearly always occurs on the outside of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, chin and inside the nostrils. If an outbreak does occur inside the mouth, it's typically on the gums or roof of the mouth. An estimated 45 to 80 percent of Americans have had at least one cold sore, according to the National Institute of Dental Research.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
While vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause soreness of the mouth and tongue, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, it is not likely to cause mouth sores -- especially those caused by the herpes virus. Vitamin B-12 is an essential, water-soluble vitamin. In humans, vitamin B-12 helps in the formation of red blood cells and maintains neurological health.
Canker Sores
Vitamin B-12 has been implicated in the development of canker sores. A canker sore, which affects about 20 percent of Americans, occurs exclusively on the inside of the mouth, according to the Federal Citizen Information Center. Canker sores are small round lesions that are often red and swollen, covered by white or yellow tissue surrounded by a reddish halo. They tend to erupt, similar to whitehead pimples, after about a day. Canker sores and cold sores are very different, but are often confused for one another. The FCIC reports that in about 20 percent of cases, a lack of vitamin B-12 may be to blame for the development of canker sores. Taking vitamin B-12 may also prevent canker sores or hasten healing, according to researchers from Ben-Gurion University.
About Cold Sores
There is no cure for cold sores. A lesion can last for a week or longer and might cause a sharp, throbbing pain. Medications can help reduce discomfort, numb the sore and prevent a secondary infection. There is no known cause for an outbreak, but KidsHealth.com states that too much stress, sun and a compromised immune system may play a role by triggering nerve cells to release the virus. Using sunblock, eating and sleeping well may help reduce episodes.
Treatment
Currently, there is no treatment for cold sores. Medications can help alleviate symptoms and stop a secondary infection, but cannot prevent the sore from occurring in the first place. In 2011, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart developed a 3-D human model of herpes simplex cold sores, which will eliminate the need for testing treatments on animal models. While animal testing gives researchers an idea how a drug will behave, it is not a perfect stand-in for an actual human model.
References
- ScienceDaily.com: Vitamin B-12 Identified as an Effective Canker Sore Therapy, Study Suggests; February 2009
- MedlinePlus: Cold Sores
- KidsHealth.com: Coping with Cold Sores; October 2010
- ScienceDaily.com: Goodbye Cold Sores; June 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B12; March 2010
- Federal Citizen Information Center: Fever Blisters and Canker Sores
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