I really need some help. Let me first say that I don't get cold sores. I've never had one and have not kissed or been in any sort of contact with someone who had one. So that's not it.
Never in my life have I had such bad chapped, cracked lips. Well, it is more like the corners of my mouth, although my lips in general are also a little chapped. They are so badly cracked that it hurts just to open my mouth all the way. it goes all the way around to the inside of my mouth. The corners of my mouth are extremely red. They are RAW! I don't know what to put on them. I have tried regular Vaseline and Blistex Medicated. I used the Blistex for a week or so and it seemed to make them more dry. So I stopped. I went into the pharmacy today and asked the pharmacist what to use. He recommended something called "softlips". It is in a stick tube like Blistex and Chapstick. So far it is not helping. He also recommended A&D ointment at bedtime. I put a little on before and will use some more before I go to sleep. I don't know what else to try. I've had it for about 10 days and been using just the Vaseline and Blistex until speaking with my pharmacist today. Now I am using the Softlips and the A&D ointment. I am in a lot of discomfort and if this new treatment regimen doesn't work in a few days I am going to have to go to the doctor. What kind of doctor would I even see for this? A dentist? A dermatologist? My internist?
I would really appreciate it if anybody can tell me how to get rid of this. And if anybody knows what kind of doctor treats lips, please tell me!
I have heard about an infection (fungal maybe?) that can make the corners of your lips extremely raw and irritated. I'd think you can get a prescription cream of some kind to clear it up. Try your regular family physician or a dermatologist.
Thanks Timber! The A&D ointment seems to be helping a little bit, so I am going to give it just a few more days. If not I'll go see my internist. He may not be available but his nurse practicioner is always very knowledgeable about these things. I am not too thrilled with the last dermatologist I saw and would rather not have to see her again if I don't have to. Thanks again,
I always have dry chapped lips... it's probably genetic or something because my mom has them too, she has a lot of dermatological problems, and I'm glad that *so far* I don't think I've inherited them all. Mine have never been as bad as what you have described, but I use burts beeswax lip balm and it seems to work better for me than blistex medicated. But you may have to re-apply frequently.
Good luck I know that when chapped lips get *really* bad they can get really painful.
My husband gets like this every so often and he uses blistex and neosporin with pain relief and it seems to work for him. He's stubborn and refuses to go to the doctor for anything so if you do go to the MD your regular PCP should be able to help just fine
I know that when chapped lips get *really* bad they can get really painful.
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