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Diagnoses

Herpetic lesions

Establishing this diagnosis

Establishing a diagnosis involves examination, review of medical and dental history, clinical data analysis, and tests that are specific to your condition. Only a dentist can evaluate your signs and symptoms to establish a diagnosis.

The dentist performs an examination of the affected tissues, and arrives at a diagnosis on the basis of location, appearance and history of the lesion(s).

It is important to distinguish herpetic lesions from aphthous ulcers which are not of viral origin (canker sores are believed to be auto-immune). Treating fever blisters with steroid ointments or medications can cause the condition to worsen, as steroids inhibit the body's immune response.

Herpetic lesions may be distinguished from aphthous ulcers in several ways. Fever blisters most commonly form outside the mouth—on the lips. When they occur in the mouth, they are usually found on the attached, keratinized (thick, durable) soft tissues on the hard palate and around the necks of the teeth. They are generally smaller in diameter than aphthous ulcers, and form blisters before ulcerating.