IBS link to Angular Cheilitis

[IzW25]

Hi, I have had angular cheilitis (soreness, splitting and inflammation in the corners of the mouth) for 15 months now, I have had topical creams including hydrocortisone, countless blood tests, colonoscopy, gastroscopy and seen specialists in dermatology, maxillofacial and gastroenterology to get to the bottom of the cause. After finding nothing else I have been told it is IBS causing this and the extreme fatigue I get on and off (some bouts lasting around a week).

I eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, sleep at least 8.5 hours a night.

Has anyone else had the same experience with angular cheilitis? It is really getting me down as isn't something I can hide with it being on my face.

Read a previous article saying that topical creams fixed their problems but I have tried 3 different ones now and it is still present 15 months later.

[BabsyWabsy]

A very long time ago, I used to get this when my daughter was a baby. My GP was completely foxed. He sent swabs off for culture, tried numerous creams, all to no avail. Then I realised that it was at its worst when I had had a glass of Guinness. I was breastfeeding at the time, and OH would bring me a Guinness when he came home from work, it was thought to build you up back then. So, I started to drink it using a straw, and eventually my lips healed on their own. I couldn't ever drink beer again without using a straw. Maybe it is some substance you are in regular contact with?

[Boo2104]

Yeah, I get this due to my IBS too. There's not anything they can give you for it unless it becomes infected. You will have bouts with it. Anaemia is also linked to IBS & can also cause this. Might be worth checking if you need some Iron.

[Big_H]

Hi. I have been suffering with it for the first time over the last few months and I too have IBS as well as fibromyalgia. It isn't nice at all and pretty painful too plus adds to feeling self conscious as you said. I've been using Sudocrem and keeping my lips moisturized with vaseline or Lipsil and I've finally got some respite. Nothing else worked. Hope you find some relief too very soon: -) Like you my fatigue is worse than what it usually is with my Fibro and I'm being given a 5 day course of Vitamin B injections as I'm deficient. My body is just run down and needs replenishing I think. Fingers crossed anyway. Keep us posted if you find anything that works.

Big H

[IzW25 in reply to Big_H]

I am constantly applying Vaseline (other half calls it my life support) but I’ve not tried sudocrem. I have some upstairs so will give that a go and keep everything crossed 😫 thank you

[Big_H in reply to IzW25]

Sudocrem I use on both ends. I tend to use Sudocrem at night more to keep it as moist as possible but just have to be careful how take it off sometimes. We suffer so much its unfair we have this too. I'm hoping my Vitamin injections will keep my system a reboot. Hope you find some respite soon

[IzW25 in reply to Big_H]

Big_H - I owe you a massive thank you. I have been using Sudocrem on my lips for the past week and the angular cheilitis seems much better. Not completely cleared but a noticeable improvement. My lips haven't split for the past week either so are no longer painful.

I never even thought to use this so thank you so much. Even if it doesn't fix the issue, it has made a massive difference to me and I feel so much more confident as a result.

THANK YOU

[BusterBongWater in reply to Big_H]

Icv syndrome feels like fibromyalgia, arthric type pain etc. Look it up. A bunch of holistic bullshit but it's real, I went to hospital thought it was appendix. Got constipated for first time in life. Always had ibs-d

[Jo09 in reply to BusterBongWater]

Can I ask what you did to cure ICV syndrome

[greenbexy]

Have you tried the dentist? They gave me a cream for it, unfortunately it is described like athletes foot of the mouth! Daktarin, I think. The cream worked for a while, but as it can be a fungal infection it can come back. I have left a reply on a very old post. As I said, low B12, low folic acid or low iron can all contribute to this annoying symptom.

[IzW25]

Asked the dentist, they couldn’t suggest anything and to be honest I’m not even sure they had heard of angular cheilitis judging from the blank looks I got. I’ve had prescription creams for both fungal and yeast infections and neither worked. Sudocrem seems to be the only thing that has made a difference, no splits for 2 weeks so far. Seeing a NHS dermatologist tomorrow so will hopefully get somewhere then. Thank you for your reply. I’ve had my bloods taken countless times over the past 18 months and always seem to come back as the correct levels for all the mentioned above. I take Floradix multivitamins daily which seem to help and top up with daily vitamin B tablets. Things are on the up so hopefully all the problems will just solve themselves 🤞🏼 Thanks for your suggestions ☺️

[BusterBongWater]

Same, about to go try cream tomorrow. Also, do you have pain lower right abdomen? Ileocecal valve, look it up

[antoshkaplus]

Have the same thing on and off. One of the things I have found is "mouth tapping". If your mouth aren't opening, saliva won't come out and Cheilitis won't happen. + making sure that you are breathing fine at night. But to my end, I also feel like some food is involved (eggs?): something causes allergic reaction and AC kicks in out of it.

[REDLYN123]

I have had the same and I probably have some level of IBS. It is a strange thing. The doctor gave me Daktacort and said take it for three to four weeks but it has gone already and I am a bit confused.

[Pte82]

IzW25, your IBS link to angular cheilitis may be a deficiency of vitamin B1 also called thiamine. Thiamine requires adequate magnesium to activate it which it in turn activates vitamin B6. Magnesium also activates vitamin D. The B vitamins work better together and are vital for your overall health. Activated thiamine is critical for the brain, vagus nerve connection to your gut. Thiamine is vital for digestive processes too as these links describe. There are anti thiamine factors to be aware of that diminsh or destroy thiamine. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.

eonutrition.co.uk/post/when...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/thia...

stuttersense.blogspot.com/2...

todaysrdh.com/vitamin-defic...