sore corners

[mandimoo]

when the corners of your mouth get sore and split - NOT a coldsore - is this a vitamin definciancy of some kind? although it isnt a coldsore, would zovirax help? or would nivea repair lipsyl be better?

[Octavius]

Well it could be zinc and iron deficiency or riboflaving deficiency, although equally could be a yeast infection or an allergic reaction. Fancy medical terms for this condition include "angular stomatitis," "angular cheilitis," or "perleche."

Zovirax (aciclovir) is primarily used to treat shingles and herpes which are 'virus' related, since it is an antiviral. It is not meant to be applied to broken skin. I am not sure it would help. You could try Nizarol which is an anti-yeast cream or a small dab of hydrocortisone cream. But if this doesn't help within a week, then see your GP/nurse.

[whiskeysheri]

Hi, mandimoo!

I've had this a lot in one corner of my mouth recently. I'm not sure what causes it, but to help it heal, try mixing a bit of Sudocrem with Vaseline and applying it before bed (seriously attractive!) and again during the night, then constantly applying Vaseline during the day. It will heal within a day or two providing someone doesn't make you laugh and open your mouth too widely. :o)

When it has healed, use an old toothbrush to (gently) exfoliate the area every couple of days, moisturise, and keep up with the Vaseline so it doesn't dry out. It's all worked on mine.

Hope this helps. x

[mandimoo]

cheers both, plenty of advice to be going on with. and aint it just typical that i had the dentist yesterday and had no option but to 'open wide'! xx

[nannon]

i am currently using Blistex (used to be Blisteaze) And i swear to god its the best thing ever!!! Its �1.98 fir a tube that lasts ages and its for "occasional cold sored, cracked, chapped and sore lips,,,,,
My lips have never looked better! no dry bits no cracked bits - i would honestly recommend it!

[Misky]

Ooh, nannon, please be careful with Blisteze - I used it all the time when I realised how nice it made my lips, for about three years. I always made sure not to run out of it coz without it, my lips seemed to be really really dry. Then I read somewhere that your skin/lips get addicted to it for Heaven's sake!! I stopped using it and went straight onto a Nivea stick which I still use a lot, but don't suffer if I do run out or forget it.
Sorry to land on your post mandimoo - I would try Aqueuous (sp?) cream on split skin on the corner of my mouth, to see if that worked. X

[Jugglering]

I used to get those little cracks - turned out they were due to a Vitamin B12 deficiency !

[moonshadow]

It's a sign of vitamin B2 deficiency also known as Riboflavin.It can't be stored in the body so it's important to either eat eggs, liver, milk, dark green leafy veg., almonds or parsley or you could take it in a vitamin tablet.

[VillageVicar]

this can also be a sign of insufficient fluids in your body. This time of year, as we move more indoors, heating and seasonal changes can affect us in this way.

I agree with others, a medicated lip balm used regularly can help. And...only perhaps...a B12 additive, such as Berrocca could help. But I should point out that Berrocca Effervescent tablets contain aspartaime, which could actually cancel out all the benefits of the vitamin. So you might consider only taking the tablets.

I wish you good health

Fr Bill

[Beads]

I sometimes get that in cold weather, and just use the blisteze cream (it comes in a small tube with a pointy nozzle) and find it helps.