LymeNet Flash: Sores at the corners of the mouth...help

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Sores at the corners of the mouth...help

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Author

Topic: Sores at the corners of the mouth...help

ivebinlymed2
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 7330

posted

My daughter has cracked sores at the corners of her mouth. Does anyone have any ideas at getting rid of them?

We tried using the bag balm that Tree recommended for her ear sores on these places, but it hasn't worked and neosporin (she applied very carefully and did not get in her mouth) didn't work either.

If anyone has had these and knows how to get rid of them, please help. She is almost eleven and these keep flaring. She is starting to get self conscious about them.

By the way, she takes her acidophylis (2 twice a day). I don't think it is because of yeast. Anyone know?

Thanks for any help.

ivebinlymed2

Posts: 270 | From Charlotte, NC | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

deedee
Member
Member # 4638

posted

try giving her a some b complex vitamins. i am pretty sure this is one of the signs of a vitamin deficiancy. some vitamin c would help too.

good luck
deedee

Posts: 31 | From Gaylordsville, CT USA | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged |

DJP
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5893

posted

Try CARMEX. It's a lip balm that you can get at a pharmacy or department store such as Walmart/Target.

It's for cold sores, but I get those cracks in the corner of my lips in the winter and it seems to keep them from getting worse and they heal faster.

Good luck.

Posts: 441 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged |

Laurie
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 159

posted

I get these too -- very painful. The skin at the corners of the mouth is so thin anyway and when these sores and cracks come along it's awful. I also have heard this may be a vitamin deficiency. I take a one-a-day vitamin religiously but sometimes I still get this. The PA at my LLMD's office saw this last time and indeed he did feel it was from yeast problems. He suggested rinsing the mouth out with peroxide and water. In any case I find the greatest symptomatic relief with Chapstick Overnight Lip Treatment -- pretty much along the lines of Vaseline lip balm that comes in a tube you squeeze.

Posts: 459 | From Connecticut - just across the river from the Lymes (Old Lyme, Hadlyme, East Lyme, South Lyme & Lyme) | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

chroniclymie
Unregistered

posted

this is causes by several reasons
1) mouth breathing that drys the moucosa and corner of lip

IP: Logged |

chroniclymie
Unregistered

posted

this is causes by several reasons
1) mouth breathing while sleep, that drys the mucosa and corner of lip
2) vit b12 defiency also causes this symptom. b12 sublingual is the best.
3) could also possibly be herpes simplex .
there is a new otc cream called Abreva that works on sores and viruses supposed to be good stuff.
dd

IP: Logged |

David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521

posted

I had that problem prior to the Lyme diagnosis and it was misdiagnosed as herpes. In fact, they were aphthous ulcers. A different doctor suggested vitamin e salve and that helped some. Further research on my part led me to conclude it was a vitamin b deficiency. I was already taking b12 but started taking b complex, orally. When this did not help my doctor and I decided I would try vitamin b complex IM. That did the trick as well as taking care of chronic insomnia.
So, I say vitamin b deficiency. Posted below are symptoms I gleaned from a variety of sources. I showed this to my doctor and the correlation with numerous problems I was having was startling.
David

CFS/B Complex Deficiency Symptoms?

MedLine Only

Symptom Experimental Anecdotal

1. Fatigue (moderate) B1 B1, 12
a. Just can't do as much in last couple of years
b. Frequently think to myself ``I'm so tired''

2. Joint pain B5
a. Especially hands, variable
b. Toes
c. Elbows

3. Tingling, aching hands B1, 6, 12 B5

4. Concentration, coordination, cognition B1,
a. Difficult to stay task-focused
b. Forgetting names of things/people
c. Missing shifts of gears (better since B-Complex)
d. Word substitution (money/mother)

5. Pain in arms and legs B1

6. Dry eyes B2, 3 B12
a. 6-9 months have been using drops X 1-2 per night
b. 6-9 months gritty sensation

7. Sore lymph nodes in neck (years) B3, 6

8. Recurrent sore throat (years) B1, 2, 3, 6

9. Interrupted Sleep (6-12 months) B1
a. Frequently wake up at 1:00
b. Again at 3:00-4:00
c. Often can't get back to sleep and arise at4:00

10. Aphthous ulcers (less frequent since B12) B2, 3, 6 B 1, 2, 6, 12

11. Angular stomatitis (less frequent/severe since B12) B2, 6

12. Scalp lesions, not acthinic keratoses (Seborrhitic?) B6

13. Breathlessness B1, B5, 6

14. Itching scrotum (poor response to Mentax) B2

Applicable Risk Factors for Deficiency

1. Thyroid illness B1, 2, 3, 6, 12
2. Intestinal problems B1, 2, 3, 6
3. Stress B1, 2, 3,6
4. Continuing infection B2, 3, 12
5. Mouth or throat sores B3
6. Stomach disease B12
7. Long-term illness B1, 2, 6

Changes noted since starting use of B-Complex Injection 5/6/02

Entry for 5/9/2002

1. Slept through the night on 5/6 for the first time in about a year. On 5/7 & 8 was awakened by Boris (the dog) but was able to go right back to sleep.

2. Spasm in right foot alleviated substantially on 5/7

3. Experienced a sense of ``lifting'' and relaxation of chest

4. Soreness on edges of tongue (months) resolved

5. Scrotal itching substantially alleviated

Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003 | IP: Logged |

ivebinlymed2
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 7330

posted

Thanks I see b vitamins mentioned a lot here. So I will find a good b at the health food store formulated for her age, maybe some c, too.

I see lots of topical ideas, too. Thanks everyone, we will start giving these ideas a try. Maybe the medicated one during the day as directed Abreva, then one of the gooey balms by night to keep it moist (she probably is mouth breathing).

This site is invaluable to me. My daughter came to me and asked me what to do about her mouth sores last night. She said nothing we are doing is working.

I told her I would post here that someone I am sure has been through this. She finds a lot of comfort in the fact I can get answers for her via this site. I hope things get resolved and the site stays available to everyone. The help you all give means so much to us. Thanks, Ivebinlymed2

Posts: 270 | From Charlotte, NC | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

janet thomas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7122

posted

yeast?????

Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

Monica
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 224

posted

Try applying vitamin e cream to the corners of her mouth. It helps me.

Posts: 1757 | From Somerset County, NJ | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370

posted

Back to the top.

I've just gotten these sores and doing a search, I pulled up this old thread. I have gotten these sores and believe they're yeast-related (I started getting them when I began a course of nystatin).

What's helped me is this:
washing the area carefully with an antibiotic soap and warm water. then applying a thin layer of tea tree oil (found at most health food stores).

After that, an antifungal cream like clotrimazole, again a very light treatment. Finally, vitamin e oil.

These sores are both uncomfortable really unsightly, and this regimen has definitely helped me.

Thanks!

Andie

by the way, I'm definitely NOT a doctor or medical professional. All these things are available over the counter and none should have any adverse effects.

Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556

posted

Super Lysine Plus is an excellent topical that includes tea tree oil, euchinachea, goldenseal astragalus, vit A & D and some other healing things. I have used it many times and it is excellent.

Gael

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PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW
RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS*

Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008 | IP: Logged |

sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141

posted

For me they were vitamin deficiency related. I tried all kinds of topicals and got no relief. I believe it can be zinc deficiency as well as B vitamins.

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sixgoofykids.blogspot.com

Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952

posted

Cracked sores in the corners of the mouth only are usually caused by a mix of fungi and bacteria. I can't remember the name of this condition. It will go away faster if you treat with oral antifungals. If your immune system is strong it may go away on it's own after several months.

You can try the original Burt's Bees lip balm to help sooth and relieve the pain until she gets in to see a doctor.

Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007 | IP: Logged |

Need Lots of Help
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18603

posted

Well, I had this same problem and I was told to take B vitamins by a Holistic doctor. Later, my LLMD told me it was my herpes virus flaring up (the cracks were my cold sores, I guess).

No creams or vitamins helped me. I had to get anti-virals. L-Lysine and/or Olive Leaf Capsules.

I am not a doctor, but this was my problem. Since treatment, I haven't gotten them. I stay on the anti-virals mentioned above.

Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008 | IP: Logged |

sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397

posted

I always thought that it might be a vitamin A deficiency. I haven't had it in a long time. Just a thought....

Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006 | IP: Logged |

sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141

posted

I had heard that, too, sparkle. I've also heard b vitamins and zinc.

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sixgoofykids.blogspot.com

Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397

posted

Maybe try drinking some carrot juice or take some cod liver oil...? It's good to go easy on vitamin A since too much can be toxic. I think some people may have a sub-clinical deficiency so taking some foods that increase vitamin A might be helpful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A

Vitamin A is found naturally in many foods:

liver (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish) (6500 μg 722%), including cod liver oil
carrot (835 μg 93%)
broccoli leaf (800 μg 89%) - According to USDA database broccoli florets have much less.[10]
sweet potato (709 μg 79%)
butter (684 μg 76%)
kale (681 μg 76%)
spinach (469 μg 52%)
pumpkin (400 μg 41%)
collard greens (333 μg 37%)
Cheddar cheese (265 μg 29%)
cantaloupe melon (169 μg 19%)
egg (140 μg 16%)
apricot (96 μg 11%)
papaya (55 μg 6%)
mango (38 μg 4%)
pea (38 μg 4%)
broccoli (31 μg 3%)
milk (28 μg 3%)

Note: data taken from USDA database bracketed values are retinol activity equivalences (RAEs) and percentage of the adult male RDA, per 100 grams of the foodstuff (average).

Conversion of carotene to retinol varies from person to person and bioavailability of carotene in food varies.[11][12]

Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006 | IP: Logged |

aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960

posted

I had this with the drug Tindamax plus fixed drug eruption.

Make sure it's not a drug reaction.

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Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.

Alaska Lone Wolf

Posts: 6918 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged |

blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470

posted

yes, I had that and it was yeast. Diflucan did the trick.

Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008 | IP: Logged |

Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091

posted

Many of the above answers are somewhat correct, but not totally. This is called Angular Cheilitis. It's caused by yeast/Candida, and possibly other fungal issues.

The cure is in taking an anti-Candida/fungal, such as Diflucan, nystatin, or one of the many OTC remedies.

But the most useful remedies of all are: taking good probiotics, using topical Nystatin cream on it (it's an rx), and taking ThreeLac or some similar lactic acid Candida remedy. Theralac would probably be good, too.

I never found B vitamins to help at all, but the above definitely work.

Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008 | IP: Logged |

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