I've got this horrible thing like a coldsore which will not go away

[PerfectlyWrapped]

It's sore and so offputting. I bought Zovirax but it's been a week and the blasted thing is cracking every time I open my mouth.

Angular Cheilitis or impetigo. Fucidin for the latter though they may try and give you oral antibiotics if it's Impetigo.

I get these occasionally, when I'm run down, and found eating a big juicy steak seems to clear them up. Might just be coincidence but I read it somewhere and it works ok for me, I'm not normally a red-meat eater.

TBH I've not been eating well recently. Maybe need to take better care of myself.

I've had this for ages. I will try the supplements. My diet is quite shit. God, I hope that solves it. It really is quite uncomfortable and embarrassing. I've tried all the cold sore stuff too.

I second all the people who say it is AC! Put a tiny bit of canesten cream on it and take a good vitamin with folic acid in it!!

Going against the grain but it does sound like a cold sore to me. The first one you get is a nightmare.
Because it’s on the corner of your mouth it’s probably not getting a chance to heal up. If the yellow crust gets knocked off it delays the healing.
Chat to a pharmacist anyway. Some recommend lysine, and I find a vitamin supplement helps. Cut back on anything sugary for a bit too.

If you get them again, they probably won’t be as severe and I find dabbing with neat vodka is far more effective than Zovirax in the tingle stage.

Hope it clears soon.

Yes to angular cheilitis.
Mine went when I went back to my old toothpaste. Had been using sensodyne when they started.

I had this every winter for 3 years. Eventually went to the doctor and got an antibiotic steroid cream - cleared it up in a few days and it's never come back.

Just a suggestion, you could try changing your toothpaste - I get these sometimes and found that some whitening or stronger toothpastes caused it and as soon as I swap to a sensitive one they clear up in a few days. Just an idea!

Definitely talk to a pharmacist.

When I had this it was a fungal infection. Some cream from the chemist cleared it up. Speak to a pharmacist.

I’ve had this: sounds like angular cheilitis, which is treatable. The thing that stopped it permanently for me was switching to a sulphate (SLS) free tooth paste. I only developed it in my 30s. It’s horrible!

I get this and the pharmacist gave me Daktarin, an anti fungal cream. It worked a treat.

If it doesn't clear up in a couple of weeks, definitely go to your GP to check it isn't anything more sinister. Not to scare, but just keep it in mind.

I would say Daktarin

Angular cheilitis - for me it's a sign that my iron levels are low.

Pharmacist diagnosed dd1 impetigo (same crusty sores at side of mouth) on sight & sent us to docs for Fucidin cream.

My vote is for Angular Cheilitis too. Thrush cream on it and when it starts healing use lanolin (Lansinoh nipple balm) on it to prevent it cracking open again and protect from moisture.

Go and ask a pharmacist or GP to get confirmation either way. You might need a vitamin check too.

And agree with rinsing your lips properly after cleaning your teeth rather than just wiping off the foam with a towel. SLS in toothpaste can really irritate. I get sore dry lips if I don't splash lips with water after brushing.

I used to get this and it was angular cheilitis. A few tablespoons of marmite used to sort it out (normally can't stand the stuff! ).

The pharmacist miss diagnosed DDs impetigo, sold me some ineffectual cream and we ended up at the GP a couple of days later.

I suggest just going to the GP and getting what you need. I would also suggest a daily multivitamin.

Impetigo.

Yes to angular chelitis.

Angular chelitis, you have a vit deficiency often B group.

I've only had a coldsore a couple of times but it took ages to go,2 weeks at least.