split at side of lip - help

longwalks1

not sure if this is the right forum to post in, apologies if it isnt, i got a split at the side of my mouth, where top and bottom lips meet and its been there week or so, tried zovirax, not worked much, using Savlon still not much better, used some of GF's anti bemish solution that started drying it out but was cracking everytime i spoke or opened my mouth to eat, any suggestions?

mightymolly

you don't say how you've done it, but it could possibly be low iron levels that are causing it to dry and crack, you will possibly find that some ferrous sulphate will help clear it up. I can sympathise as I get this too, but now recognise the first signs.

curlygirl1971

My Gran used to say that this and also a similar problem with the corner of your eye was a sign of being 'run-down'. Have no idea if there is any truth to this old wives tale but when I got a sore eye I used to take Multi-Vits and it would clear up. Could have been a co-incidence though.

mazza111

Vaseline. I'm a postie and the cold weather really affects my lips, get all dry n hacked, same with in the corners. Never go out now without a smearing of vaseline on my lips. It will give the cracks in the corner a chance to heal too

poorly_scammo

Another vote for vaseline here. Your mouth is cracking because it's dry. Many spot products are designed to dry up the spot which is fine if it's somewhere other than the corner of your mouth.

You need to apply the vaseline three time a day to keep it moist. It'll soon disappear then.

Bronnie

Agree with the above suggestions, though I would use some kind of lip balm instead of Vaseline. Keep a stick of it in your pocket and reapply (surrepticiously if necessary!!) regularly throughout the day. Perhaps your GF has a spare one; my OH uses this outdoors in cold weather

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/_en/_gb/catalog/product.aspx?ParentCatCode=C_BathBody&CatCode=C_BathBody_SpaTreatments&prdcode=24330m

A swipe of Savlon first ( since you've already got some in) morning and night should help keep it clean til it's healed.

coldstreamalways

This can be a symptom of a mild Vit B deficiency. I always (and always tell my patients) to have a big spoonful of marmite. It genuinely sorts it out for me!

Also vaseline etc will help. If it goes on for too long, see your dentist as it could be a small fungal infection called angular cheilitis (most common in people with dentures or braces though).

Magpye

I get this regularly in cold weather at both sides of the mouth and the thing which works for me is a twice daily application of pawpaw ointment, which is very moisturizing and healing.

missm29

You need to get yourself some elizabeth arden 8hr skin protectant, me and my children suffer with this....you need to keep it moist, i find vaseline actually dries our lips out more...my little boy takes his own tube to school now, not very money saving because its expensive but does last ages.

belfastgirl23

I get it sometimes.

I found that the new pink vaseline seems to disagree with me and I get it a lot more when I use that. have you been using any new salve or lip products? Or even a different toothpaste or mouthwash? Just worth thinking about. Improving vitamin B and Iron levels can't do any harm though

FelinePrincess

I have this at both sides of my mouth at the moment after I woke up one morning last week and yawned, which split both sides of my mouth. I find vaseline helps with it alot so I'm hoping if I keep applying it they will go soon.

I had this for about six months a couple of years ago because it got sore and each time I yawned it would rip it open again, in the end I got rid of it buy holding the side of my mouth that was sore closed each time I yawned so it didn't tear it again - went quite quicly after that but I must have looked very odd doing it!