Angular cheilitis?

[browzingss]

I have cracks/cuts in the corner of my mouth that won’t go away.

On some mornings it seem like they’re healing, but then randomly whilst I’m eating/talking etc through the day the cracks reopen and the cycle starts all over again!

I have tried loads of products to no avail - any recommendations?

[looptheloopinahulahoop]

I've got this too. I've had it before in winter, and something like Blistex has got rid of it within a few days, but this time it has hung around for weeks.

Interestingly I had a stomach bug a couple of weeks ago and barely ate anything for a couple of days and it cleared up a lot, so now I am wondering if it is something in my everyday diet. I will try some of the ideas on here.

[Sometimesfraught82]

[quote RachelB84]@Bringringbring12

It definitely gets worse as the day goes on. I am cautiously optimistic about the canesten, have been using 6 days now and there is a noticeable improvement, all that is left is a slight redness around my lower lip. Why don't u try canesten? I honestly have been battling with this since the beginning of Feb. I don't want to say too much too soon but it really does seem to have worked for me.[/quote]
Sorry zombie thread but I’m on my knees! Did this work?

[Astrid80]

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I had the same thing for months that got worse and worse, also mouth ulcers and sore red tongue. I felt completely devoid of energy and a blood test revealed I had very low vitamin b12. Turned out I had pernicious anaemia and have to have a b12 injection every 12 weeks because my stomach can't absorb it from food or tablets. The GP said other people can be b12 deficient for dietary reasons, especially vegetarians and vegans (I said I don't eat much meat so initially he thought that was causing my deficiency) and oral supplements are needed. Optimal B12 levels should be over 500 I think? Blood tests in the UK apparently have a very low level of what's considered normal, and make sure it's your active B12 that's being measured. The only thing that soothed the angular cheilitis a bit for me at the time was Daktarin oral gel. After a couple of months of me having treatment and normal B12 levels it cleared up and I haven't had it or the ulcers / red sore tongue since.

[Selz1977]

I've been suffering with this for about a month now - it was something that started about 5 years ago and went away when I stopped using whitening toothpaste, but this time I don't know what's stopping it from going away. It's red and sore and mostly on the right corner of my mouth although a little on the left. I've been using vaseline and O'Keeffe's Lip Repair for relief but day after day it just stays. Since I can't visit a doctor at the moment should I try the Daktarin gel that someone suggested?

[HotPenguin]

I had this for about a year at one time and couldn't get rid of it. In the end I started sticking plasters on my face at night in such a way as to expose the corners of my mouth to the air. It worked! I was using some sort of cream at the same time but I forget what.

[RachelB84]

@Bringringbring12

It definitely gets worse as the day goes on. I am cautiously optimistic about the canesten, have been using 6 days now and there is a noticeable improvement, all that is left is a slight redness around my lower lip. Why don't u try canesten? I honestly have been battling with this since the beginning of Feb. I don't want to say too much too soon but it really does seem to have worked for me.

[Bringringbring12]

Still as bad as ever here, 4 weeks after started
Do you find that it gets worse throughout the day? I wake up and think - ok not looking too bad. By end of day... Terrible!!

[RachelB84]

@MeMeMeYou @currentlychilled @KatoPotato

I have bought some multivitamins to try, also just watched this american dermatologist on you tube Dr dray she was very good, and she said that it can be linked to inhaling steroids which I do on a regular basis for my asthma, and have been doing so more often with covid, so may be a link there. I am going to give the clotrimazole a go, and if no success I will try next thing ..I will keep u posted. Also if someone can tell me how I would post a picture to get your opinions!!! Thank you all ❤️

[KatoPotato]

I had this for about a year! It was constant and I tried everything, fucidin canesten, timodene...

Eventually went to the dr and they said a skin hair and nail multivitamin. I scoffed a little then tried it.

Went away within weeks and fingers crossed never came back

[currentlychilled]

If you have tried fusidic acid and daktarin, the next thing to try would be hydrocortisone cream, just a smear, followed by a barrier cream such as sudocrem or hydromol

[MeMeMeYou]

I’ve tried everything and this is the only things that works
www.amazon.co.uk/Aritaum-Ginger-Sugar-Overnight-ARITAUM/dp/B00O76F274?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
Aritaum lip mask. I put it on before I brush my teeth or eat anything that might irritate it or before bed to protect against dribble! When it’s bad - it got bad recently - I put it on a few times during the day. I’ve no idea what’s in it but it works where nothing else does. When lips are in ok condition I also use it over the top of a lip stain eg body shop - I hadn’t been able to wear a lip colour in who knows how long. I’ve had this on and off since I was 9yo.

[browzingss]

@RachelB84 it’s a shame daktarin didn’t work for you, the oral gel is the only thing that keeps mine under control! AC is absolute agony at it’s worst. Really interested in seeing your pics if you’re able to post them.

No idea what the cause of mine is as I’ve already ruled out the obvious.

[Buggedandconfused]

I had this for ages, my lips would dry up and peel continually, I tried everything for months. I discovered by accident that I was allergic to fizzy water! Once I’d stopped drinking but (which I did a lot), it went away!

[rosieposies]

Oh 😭 I found it really helped with everything, including the itchiness. Hope you find something soon!!

[RachelB84]

@rosieposies I tried that! It helped with dryness but not with the itchy / soreness. Is anyone elses itchy ?? !

[RachelB84]

Mine is in both corners and has gone underneath my bottom lip where is it really sore and dry 😭😷

[rosieposies]

I'm not sure if anyone has already suggested this but I found b vits and nipple cream to be an absolute lifesaver. It's actually all I use as lip balm now


Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream 40ml https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007ZNGUZY/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_.KkMEbV7P50ZN

[RachelB84]

@Bringringbring12 @browzingss

Thank you for this thread, I have been trying to work out what this is that's been plaguing me to high heaven!!!! Mine has been going on for months and I have tried everything, daktarin, fucidin, now on day 3 of clotrimazole. Really getting me down! Want to post a picture but not sure how. X

[Bringringbring12]

@tiggerkid

Thanks.
What supplement and what adjustments if you don’t mind me asking? Thanks

[tiggerkid]

I've had exactly the same issue. My GP ordered blood tests and confirmed iron deficiency. After I started taking iron supplements and adjusted my diet, the problem went away.

[browzingss]

@Bringringbring12 No I use this one:

www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Dental/Sore-Mouth-Relief/Daktarin-Sugar-Free-2%25-Oral-Gel---15g/p/600741

It’s a gel that can be applied inside the mouth if needed, it’s better suited to lips/mouth than the product you have.

Yes, the very first time I had this it slightly travelled across my lip with peeling/flaking, but I think that’s because it was untreated for so long. I had it for about a month before I started using the daktarin gel which controls it very well. Please try it.

[Bringringbring12]

Thanks so much
Mine is serious... all along my half of my lip too. At its worst did yours travel along the lip (serious peeling and flaking. Sometimes bleeding).

I have that gel but it’s more of a cream?
Is this what you have?

[browzingss]

@Bringringbring12 Hi! Sorry to hear that

Since August, I unfortunately get the cracks at the corner of my mouth every 6-8 weeks. Haven’t managed to completely stop it, but Daktarin oral gel always clears it away! Absolute god send - highly recommended. If used immediately on day 1, it stops it from progressing further so it isn’t much of an issue now.

I did go sls/alcohol free with dental products ever since this thread - made no difference as my problem recurs, but I enjoy the more gentle products. Didn’t try Blisteze, clotrimazole or sudocrem. Fusidic acid didn’t help.

As for a cause - I’m not sure whether I officially have angular cheilitis or not, if I do it’s very mild. Just a crack on one side of my mouth. I’m not deficient in anything. I am under an oral medicine team and hoping to get some antifungal tongue drops at my next appointment, as I think it’s just a transfer of bacteria between my tongue & mouth.

[Bringringbring12]

Op
I realise some time ago but please tell me all cleared up and what worked? I’m really suffering

[RockinHippy]

Get your B12 checked by your GP before taking any B vitamins as they can skew test results, but not everyone can absorb B12 in the gut, so won't necessarily help your symptoms & you might need the injections we have to have.

I had exactly this problem & it was due to Pernicious Anaemia