Cracking Skin Around Corners Of Mouth - Skin Problems Message Board

Tim Z. · 12-13-2003, 04:00 PM

I've had this problem for quite some time. It's gotten worse over the last year.
The skin around the corners of my mouth will crack and it usually takes days before the cracking heals. Sometimes I will go weeks without having any cracking flareups, and then suddenly it starts again.

A number of years ago I went to a Dermatologist who told me this was caused by excess drool (For lack of a better term) around the corners of my mouth when I sleep, eventually causing infection. At that time I got it under control with antibiotics and antibiotic ointment, and went a long time with no flareups.
I just got off antibiotics for an unrelated infection and I put antibiotic ointment around the corners of my mouth every day (I have for nearly a year). This does nothing.
I have no medical insurance right now and can't afford to see a Dermatologist for a while. If someone knows what might be causing this and what I can do to permanently stop it, I would be very grateful.

Thanks for any help!

sweetpoison68 · 12-14-2003, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Z.

I've had this problem for quite some time. It's gotten worse over the last year.
The skin around the corners of my mouth will crack and it usually takes days before the cracking heals. Sometimes I will go weeks without having any cracking flareups, and then suddenly it starts again.

A number of years ago I went to a Dermatologist who told me this was caused by excess drool (For lack of a better term) around the corners of my mouth when I sleep, eventually causing infection. At that time I got it under control with antibiotics and antibiotic ointment, and went a long time with no flareups.
I just got off antibiotics for an unrelated infection and I put antibiotic ointment around the corners of my mouth every day (I have for nearly a year). This does nothing.
I have no medical insurance right now and can't afford to see a Dermatologist for a while. If someone knows what might be causing this and what I can do to permanently stop it, I would be very grateful.

Thanks for any help!

My brother is 45 and he had this also for a long time..He is rinsing with 1/2 peroxide 1/2 water ratio daily and actually lets it run around the outer parts of his mouth as he spits it out..It has helped him tremendously..

Mom22greatkids · 12-14-2003, 01:07 PM

I used to get this too. It would go away then come back a couple of weeks later. Turned out to be recurrent yeast infection. I used Nystatin ointment and it hasn't come back since.

heartbreaker · 12-26-2003, 05:47 PM

Hi. Read your question re: cracking around mouth. My mother had a similar problem for nearly 2 years. I did a web search and discovered it was a result of sleeping with false teeth... the "drooling" yeast connection is correct! Several weeks of Lotrimin application did the trick. Good luck!

VeryOldLady · 12-28-2003, 12:35 AM

I get this pretty often and have had to deal with it most my life. In my case, it seemes to be connected with eating grapefruit or tomatoes. Unfortunately, I love both, so when they're in season, I begin looking like the Riddler dude in the old Batman series. But, when they're out of season, the cracks dry up and heal.

I think it has something to do with the acid in these fruits.