Cracked skin?

[mackandme]

Since the beginning of winter, I've had problems with the skin at the corner of my mouth cracking open. Looks like a really big paper cut. Moisturizers did nothing, so now I'm putting Neosporin on it, but I have to reapply every few hours, and it never really heals up.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[KimK]

I don't know if it can be used on the mouth, but what about Zim's Crack Cream? Might be worth a look.

If it's been going on this long, you should probably have a doctor look at it.

For what it's worth, sometimes cold sores can look like a crack in your skin. That might be another angle to check.

Hope it gets better soon!

[GingerPow]

B-Complex helps quite a bit with that. A stress formula such as Solgar's B-Complex 50 or 100 would be great. A lack of Vitamin B-6 or B-2 can result in cracks at the corners of the mouth, but a balanced, natural based B-Complex is the best way to address that.

Also Blistex lip ointment, and a new ointment for cold sores containing the amino acid Lyseine called "Lip Care Lysine Plus." Even though it is not a cold sore the Lysine is very healing.

I checked Google and found this page with more information: http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=6986

Good luck with this, it must be painful! I hope you find a remedy that works for you.

Just had another thought: I have a little tin of "Bag Balm" that I use in the winter when the skin on my hands get so dry it cracks. I literally get little "cuts" on my knuckles because they are so dry. The consistency is like Vaseline but has healing ingredients in it and works very well. It was developed originally to heal cow's udders, but people found that it helped them too! I just ignore the fact that I'm putting cow udder cream on my hands because it works so well.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f60/MurphChessLinus/bag_balm10_oz.jpg

[Miss Giggles]

I get that once in a while. I just use Vaseline.

[MikeC]

I get that once in a while. I just use Vaseline.

Vaseline is the best thing I've found to heal cracks on my hands. I put it on my hands at night, and then put on white cotton gloves. (Lovely, I know, but it does seem to work and it keeps the Vaseline off of the sheets and blankets!) I'm sure it would work well on the corners of your mouth as well.

I've also used Bag Balm on my hands, but would it be safe to use it around your mouth? I'm not sure.

[mackandme]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and the link. I guess i need to make a trip to the pharmacy and maybe the feed store, and if that doesn't work, maybe the doctor. This has been going on for almost three months.

I have insanely sensitive skin. My hands do get so dry they bleed, and i have to put lots of moisturizer and gloves on at night, and use paraben-free products. Maybe i should get a humidifier.

[clairea]

I would suggest a trip to the dermatologist. I have been struggling with terrible eczema on DD's hands (which I kept putting OTC cortisone cream on), and what I thought were DS's terrible chapped lips (which I kept putting aquaphor on). Both of these things helped, but wouldn't clear it up. I had DS at the derm. the other day for something else and she took one look at his lips and prescribed something that has cleared it right up in 2 days. She also gave me something that clears up DD's eczema patches almost immediately when they occur. You may be dealing with something other than just dry skin, and even if it is just severe dry skin, they have a whole arsenal of products that can really make a difference.

[syzygy]

Just wanted to reiterate what GingerPow said.

My MIL had the same problem with cracks at the sides of her mouth and tried everything. Finally went to her dr and he put her on B complex vitamins. Healed it right up.

Good luck to you. I know how uncomfortable this can be.

[Loremma]

I always used the Blistex in the tube (liquid, not stick) and it healed right up. Until you get into the doctor, I'd use it and see if that helps.

[Valerie226]

You can get a candidal (yeast) infection at the corners of the mouth. called perleche "pronounced per-lesh". If it's been going on this long and what you've done hasn't worked, you should have a health professional look at it. I think they take a skin scraping & look under the microscope. I'm not sure how it's treated but probably not OTC meds.

[rosen]

For those of you that are using the Bag Balm, I have another product to rec that I think is even better. It's called Udderly Smooth & is sold as both a lotion & a cream. I love this stuff & so does DH. No scent, no greasy-ness. I swear by this stuff & give it as gifts (to get a laugh). I have converted a lot of folks to it (after they stop laughing). It can be found along w/ the other lotions at "Mart" type stores & in other locations. It is very inexpensive, which gives it a "too cheap to work" type aura.

DH is a runner w/ very dry, cracked skin in the Winter. He uses UC every time he washes his hands & on his face (cheeks) before running. His skin & knuckle splits have ended. I'm a gardener & use it all year round to keep my skin from cracking.

[mbrogier]

If the cracked area is super close to your lips, try Carmex lip balm. It's the best stuff for chapped, cracked lips I've ever used. Carmex comes in a yellow tube with a red cap or a small yellow tin. Most drug stores, Target, and Walmart carry it. I haven't had really bad chapped lips since someone (I think on this board) recommended Carmex to me.

I also use an udder cream that I buy at Trader Joes. It's called Udderly Smooth, doesn't smell, and is super creamy. I took my jar with me to my in-laws at Christmas, and my MIL loved it so much I left it with her. I have two jars--one upstairs in my bathroom and one downstairs in the living room so I have easy access to the cream. The cream absorbs immediately into your skin and quickly heals dry areas.

If the area isn't better by the end of the week, if I were you, I'd go see your doctor just to make sure you're treating it correctly. If it was yeast, you might have it elsewhere in your body.

[mackandme]

The Vaseline is working fabulously, both on my face and hands. Thanks so much! Wish i had posted about this a couple months ago.