Cracks at the corner of the mouth

[BornToFolk]

I occasionally get cracks at the corner of my mouth. It's been going on for years, on and off, but recently it's been quite bad. Always the same side too. I've found that if I put Blisteze on it constantly, it'll eventually go away but will flare up again.

It's not a cold sore, it's just a small crack, like a paper cut. It gets sore though and can look red.

I've had a Google and found nothing conclusive. Some people suggest that it's a vitamin deficiency but I take a multi-vitamin (with iron) and I've been eating well recently so I can't think it would be that.

Has anyone had similar? Any good remedie? I've not gone to the GP yet as it's just been a minor annoyance but if it carries on, I will.

[picc]

I get this when run down. Watching with interest (and hope.....)

[ilovemyhens]

I've just had this and applied the Canestan and Hydrocortisone 1% cream that my gp prescribed for something else. It cleared up within two days and hasn't returned

I've had it on and off for years too, but this year was particularly bad.

[BornToFolk]

picc, I quite often get it when I'm run down too but at the moment, I'm sleeping well and eating well too, as I say so it feels particularly unfair!

ilovemyhens, I've got both Canestan and Hydrocortisone kicking around somewhere, I'll give them a try. Thanks!

[strandednomore]

I got this when I used an electric toothbrish. I never found out if the two were definitely linked but I have stopped using it and I no longer get the cracks.

[strandednomore]

toothbrush not toothbrish

[Popbiscuit]

I vaguely seem to remember hearing that it's something to do with Vitamin C? I used to get them as a child. Oranges?

[BornToFolk]

I've actually had a bit of a thing for oranges recently and have been eating lots. The irony is that if the juice gets in the crack it really hurts, so I've gone off them.

I do use an electric toothbrush so I'll try using a manual for a bit and see if that helps. It also reminded me that I read somewhere that SLS in toothpaste can cause cracks so I'll try and find a SLS-free variety.

[Karia]

Does this sound similar to you? Angular Cheilitis

I didn't have cracks but I had red patches in the corners of my mouth that were dry as the Sahara and sore. I had them for about 2 months before they got really bad in December and he told me to use Brulidin cream. It took about a week for the right corner of my mouth to heal up, the left was more stubborn and took another week, but they went!

[Karia]

Sorry that should be "in December and I went to see the pharmacist"

[BornToFolk]

Yeah, that sounds like it. The Wiki entry mentions yeast infection too so I'm defintely going to try Canestan.

[decena]

It could be a fungal infection, usually lives in your nose and doesn't cause a problem but can migrate to your mouth. I had this and it was my dentist that told me - you can get small tubes of Daktarin gel at the chemist which clears it up very quickly (and very nice tasting orange flavour as well!).

[cabbageroses]

Lack of B vitamins..take brewers yeast.

[jardins]

Hi! This post will be short and sweet as I have to feed the LO. I had cracks on the corners of my mouth a few months after giving birth and they would just not heal. It turns out I was super anemic and low iron levels cause them. Honest! Maybe that's why some people crave oranges as vitamin C helps the body absorb the much needed iron. Maybe get a blood test or at the very least buy some Floradix which gives you a low but regular source of iron.

Hope this helps.

[catinboots]

Vitamin b deficiency

[talkingnonsense]

Yes - mine are low vit b and a spoonful of marmite for a couple of days always clears them.

[solo]

To get rid of the crack almost over night; go to a small chemist shop and buy some Melrose it is extraordinary stuff. Very good price, lasts ages and the RL people I've recommended it to now swear by it too.

Use every night as you go to bed for kissable lips forever. Use on anything sore, grazed or cracked.

[Dentistnotheretobejudged]

As a dentist, I see this frequently (and suffer occasionally). I usually advise a good dose of Vit B (complex) for me a huge spoon of Marmite and some hot water and it goes away. If it persists, a prescription of fucidic acid helps. Angular cheilitis is the probable cause.

Bear in mind, dentures and braces (fixed and removable) can exacerbate the problem.

[BornToFolk]

I'm going to check my multi-vitamin but I'm fairly sure it's 100% RDA of iron, vit C and B vits. Could I still be deficient?!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to go and see the pharmacist too and see what they suggest.

[alypaly]

we have used dakctacort on it and it has been successful

[gingeroots]

DS had this recently .
Daktarin didn't seem to help but vit B ( with B12 ) and also zinc got it sorted .
( I think there may not be a high enough dose in multivit tablets ).

[wendihouse22]

Solo...thanks for the Melrose tip. I see it's a bit of a cure all and good for sandal heels. Must try.

I'm told it (the cracked skin at the side of the mouth) is an iron deficiency. Don't know who told me but, it was a long time ago and it just stuck with me.

I eat loads of oranges.....and sometimes get it still!

[Enass13]

I had a severe case of this just recently after returning from my holiday. It was extremely painful and I had never had this before. I use Bulidrine cream and Flexitol lip balm and within two days it had cleared!
Strongly recommend Bulidrine ??

[TelephoneIgnoringMachine]

ZOMBIE THREAD!

[Toulula]

I had maker surgery a year ago on my colone and have had cracks side of my mouth since iam using off doctor hydrocortisone and canes ten just hope this treats it