Smiling back behind the mask

[Zebedee44]

Amongst other annoying little features of an autoimmune condition I have struggled with angular cheilitis , sore red sometimes broken skin at the corners of my mouth. There are several

contributing factors and I have been pleased to conceal the unsightly feature with a mask while treating it with a variety of prescription and OTC products advised by pharmacists, all to no avail.

At my first appointment with my wonderful NEW doctor he referred me to a dermatologist and within a month I have been seen and prescribed Canestan HC. The effect was immediate.

I am so delighted to be able to smile again without it hurting, even if nobody can see it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Many years ago I had thrush affecting my lips - at the same time as my small daughter had horrendous nappy rash. My MIL's utterly useless GP sneered, it was "only" nappy rash, and no, it couldn't be affecting my mouth. No? Luckily my own GP was rather more clued up - but I will never forget how painful it was! Chelitis is awful!!!

[Zebedee44 in reply to PMRpro]

It seems to be fungal rather than bacterial and simply doesn’t respond to hydrocortisone, daktarin, sudocrem, Vaseline or lip balms. Or vitamin B complex and lysine. I’ve been struggling with it throughout Covid lockdown and not being able to “see” a doctor face to face hasn’t helped at all. I wonder how many of us have suffered in silence to avoid the risk of the COVID virus.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Zebedee44]

Mine was similar - and it needed a triple approach - in those days it was Trimovate, no idea if it is still available, but it was an antifungal, antibacterial and steroid mix which was fantastic. It was something that came back with PMR and would get into the creases - a few days of Trimovate and it was gone for months. I had a recurrence last summer and the GP here gave me two creams, antifungal and antibacterial and I'm on 15mg pred and it cleared quickly too.

[Pollyanna16 in reply to PMRpro]

Just to let you know Trimovate is still available x

[Rugger]

Good to hear you have found a remedy, but even better to hear that you are SMILING! 🌻

[Longtimer]

My GP prescribed Canestan 1%...for the "creases" rash...I now buy it OTC...works very well....

[Rugger]

PS ....and great news that you have a wonderful NEW doctor! 🥳

[piglette]

The great thing with masks is that I don’t have to put lipstick on when I go out!

[Grannyasbo]

I used to get eczema on my face round my mouth. So sore and was v conscious of it. So know how challenging it can be. Poor you. But then my wonderful GP prescribed a v mile steroid cream with up to date instructions on how to use it graduated over 6 weeks and bingo it went. Hardly ever have to treat it again. So glad to hear you have solved yours too. 😀

[Floridafan]

I tried an assortment of creams and ointments, some over the counter and some on prescription. Eventually, I found one that worked for me, bought from Boots (UK) called Clotrimazole which is an anti fungal cream. Such a relief to have found something that worked!

[Zebedee44 in reply to Floridafan]

Hi Floridafan, yes that’s one of the ingredients in the Canestan HC but I asked two pharmacists on separate occasions, asked my (former) GP, searched the www and continued to suffer painfully until my new GP referred me to a dermatologist who practices in a local GP practice.

Hence my post here, in case others are suffering this disfiguring painful lingering condition.

Thanks for adding your experience and well done for finding the cure yourself.

[Pr0jection]

Many thanks for the tip. I live in Cyprus and was wondering if I can get Canestan over here. I've just posted the question on an 'ask anything' group and apparently you can. The power of Facebook! Thanks again x

[hoganjohn]

Many thanks for your advice. I have angular chelitis since Feb this year. My G.P prescribed three different creams and none of them worked, I also applied several lip balms etc which my chemist recommended -but to no avail. Can't wait to go to chemist tomorrow and try the Canesten HC. My lips are so dry sore and cracked at the sides.

[Zebedee44 in reply to hoganjohn]

Hi hoganjohn, I’m so pleased that my post has helped you. It’s a horrid painful and persistant condition and I have had months of it too. I do hope you find relief with the Canestan HC. I have noticed on the label it says to use for a week at a time and I’m not sure how long I can go without it now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to hoganjohn]

One of the problems with using lip balms is that the infective agent can get onto the balm - and you keep reapplying it.

[alliebc]

Hi Zebedee44 Thank you for bringing up cheilitis as an autoimmune inflammatory condition. I had four outbreaks of those nasty puffy peeling cracked lips in one year before the PMR really hit me. I should have figured out there was inflammation lurking in my body waiting to spring to life . Dr Google and I self-diagnosed the lip condition so I am glad that to know that I am not wrong. My doctor didn’t say cheilitis or autoimmune but prescribed Fucidin antibiotic cream and 1% cortisone cream, he missed the anti fungal cream which seems like it is the one that helped you. What has worked for me in the end is a very soothing old healing herb , calendula. I had become so sensitive to anything touching my lips that no other salve was working, least of all the prescriptions. I dug deep on the web and found many good reviews of a very pure ointment of just organic calendula oil, cold pressed olive oil and beeswax. I apply that often and so far it’s a perfect prevention and my lips feel so good. Made in Canada by Rivercityherbals.com , I ordered it online. calendula ointment helps heal all sorts of skin conditions from radiation burns, anal fissures, poison ivy, lichen planus to chapped hands, according to the satisfied customers!

[Zebedee44 in reply to alliebc]

Thankyou alliebc for your informative reply and it’s always good to know about natural remedies as well as prescription medicines. I didn’t know about calendula but I did try applying aloe Vera sap, coconut oil, honey, and cucumber last summer without relief, the soreness just got worse. I was afraid there would be permanent scarring and a sad downward smile forever.

What I had not understood until now from replies to my post is the importance of not transferring the infection from one side of the mouth to the other. It’s important to use a cotton bud or a different finger to apply cream and not to use the same lip balm applicator all around the mouth. Who Knew? I do now, thanks to this forum. Blessings to all.

[alliebc in reply to Zebedee44]

Yes, who knew on lots of these little tips, forums are great and this one is the best. None of those same natural remedies worked for me either. Even Vaseline didn’t heal it, but that doesn’t actually heal, just keeps the moisture in. Who knew that common old scotch marigolds which self seed in my garden actually have a commercial use. If you are in the UK Google calendula cream. Boots might have it then choose one with the least other additives and the largest percentage of calendula oil and give it a try. It is so soothing- at least the pure form is. (I live in Western Canada.)