Angular cheilitis (sore corner of mouth) what actually works?

[blueskiesandsun]

I’ve got angular cheilitis according to the pharmacist and I can’t seem to fully shift it. It started when the first cold snap arrived and the pharmacist said it’s pretty common and triggered by the cold dry air.

It’s only on one side of my mouth but it’s red and sore and cracked. Not very noticeable to others but it’s just annoying and unsightly and irritated.

I’m treating it with a thin dab of clotrimazole and Vaseline once or twice a day. It seems to get better then it comes back again. Very frustrating!

Admittedly I’m not very consistent with the lotions, but I’m also not sure if they’re actually the right things… or if there is something I am eating / drinking / applying to my skin that is irritating.

Anyone who has suffered with this and successfully got rid of it please share your wise advice!

I had a very bad case of it for 6 months and nothing prescribed worked. Had an iron infusion and it healed within days.

I’ve had this. Yes to the anti fungal, and hydrocortisone cream. Vaseline did nothing, okeefes lip repair is better.

In my case it was definitely menopause related.

My mother had this for years. Turned out to be caused by oral thrush (she had dentures). Once correctly diagnosed it was treated and gone within a week.

I had this, it was Iron and vitamin B deficiency. Do you also have a burning sensation on your tongue?

I used to get this every winter and struggle to get rid of it. Weirdly, I found an online suggestion to use dish soap and keep it dry and that worked much better than previous attempts to moisturise it, cleared it up in a couple of days. Similar to pp’s suggestion of alcohol gel. Then yes all the vitamins.

Such a useful thread, thank-you.

Dentist here. The cause will either be bacterial or fungal or both. More likely to be fungal ( thrush) if you are a denture wearer.

if bacterial, I would say to try fusidin ointment. This with maybe some mild steroid cream.
if more likely fungal then something like canestan HC would work.
put a protective barrier on over the top at night time as well. Something like sudocrem helps.

Yes, the steroid version.

I also have to make sure not to open my mouth very wide for about a week to ensure it heals over properly.

I had this for weeks and had tried many otc remedies.
A zoom GP service recommended 1% Hydrocortisone cream 3 times a day which cleared it within a week.
I did have trouble buying it after the pharmacist asked where it was for. Despite the doctor’s instruction she would not sell it to me for use on my face.
I had to go to another pharmacy and tell a white lie.
I now take L-Lysine daily which I think may have helped with prevention.
It’s difficult to isolate the trigger when so many substances come in contact with the area - toothpaste, mouthwash, lipstick, balms, makeup, chewing gum, food and drink.

I tend to get this when I’m run down and stressed. Though that would fit in with a fungal infection as well are more prone to those when run down/ deficient in any vitamins. I also tend to run low on iron.

So a multi-pronged approach. Definitely some cream for a fungal infection from the pharmacy- ask their advice. Then I’d take a B-vitamin complex plus some spatone for iron.

Might be also worth getting a blood test done to check for any deficiencies.

Focusing on gut health can prevent infections. Plus rest and don’t overdo it.

Update… early days still but the fucidin seems to be doing more good than the clotrimazole was so I guess it may be bacterial. Being diligent about keeping Vaseline applied in between times so that it doesn’t dry out and then crack open if I yawn is helping. Fingers crossed! Thanks very much all. 😊

Oh and thinking about underlying causes and trying to boost my general health I have also started taking probiotics daily. I have ordered some B vits in my next Tesco delivery… and probably will do a mail order blood test too, once funds permit.

I had this for the first time 2 weeks ago! It was unsightly, I went to boots and brought Daktarin cream

I have this and similar to others, find its a sign of low iron and being run down in general. The metal tube blistex is my saviour for forever sore lips but where are people buying it these days please? @ISeeTrees I'm eeking out the last of my last tube after it disappeared for a long time!

It sounds like a real ongoing problem, OP. One that all the creams and vaseline in the world probably won’t cure.

I needed blood and faeces tests (to check for internal bleeding), then an iron infusion and prescription B vits to sort out the underlying cause of mine. I was young, working very long hours for no money and just didn’t realise how ill I was.

Instead of messing about with probiotics, guessing at supermarket vitamins and saving up for private blood tests why not try and get an appointment with your GP? Once you get the right treatment you’ll heal in days and feel better than you have in years.

I had what I thought was this, but it turned out to be the toothpaste I was using. I can get away with Colgate, but the Sensodyne and Oral B are a no.