cracking at corners of mouth

[Kim-rn]

Hi fellow nurses--

My 15-year-old otherwise healthy daughter keeps have recurring bouts of cracking at the corners of the mouth. The areas become slightly swollen and reddened. She is using "carmex", but it doesn't seem to help. I thought that she might have a vitamin deficiency, but she has now been on a vitamin supplement for several months, and the cracking just reappeared. She is a slightly nervous child, who breaks out in "hives" at stressful times. Could this be related? Do you guys know of any remedies?

I would really appreciate your input!

Thanks! Kim

[Cathy Wilson, RN]

I used to get this fairly often, and read in a magazine that Zinc supplements would help. It was also supposed to help with the white spots on my fingernails. No kidding-after a couple of months, I've never had either the cracked mouth or the white spoits again!

[NurseGirlKaren]

Crazy--my hubby had that problem with a certain brand of toothpaste, too. Quit using that toothpaste, never had the problem again. Meanwhile, I was loading him up on veggies and vitamins, to no avail!!

[jurbyjunk]

I get this when I'm REALLY stressed-out. I then spend about a week taking "stress tabs" of VitB and it clears up. Interesting about the folic acid. Will have to try the Zinc for the white spots.

My fingernails "curl over" my fingertips unless I keep them really short. Anyone got any ideas for that?

[mrcool]

I'm having success w/ hydrocortisone 1%. I'm not sure if it's a permanent solution though. I've been using it for 3 days. After the first day, it took away the soreness & chappedness. I'm hoping after a week, I wont need to use it any more. I've been suffering with the problem for over 6 months. I've tried everything from vitamins to creams and ointments. At best, they just took care of the symptoms for a short time. I've even changed my soap, detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, dish washing liquid... The list goes on. I've even changed my diet and it didn't help. Again, the hydrocortisone 1% seems to be helping the most out of everything I've tried. Hopefully, after a week I won't be needing it any more. I put on a small amount before bed and in the morning after I've showered.

[janony]

I get this twice a year or so. In my case it's a fungal infection - clears up in a few days by using SMALL amounts of OTC athletes-foot cream on the area 3x daily.

If you do this, be careful not to lick the area. Not something you really want to be ingesting.

Of course, always a good idea to seek professional NP/MD/PA advice. ?

janony

[KathleenC]

I get this--it can be very painful at times. My dermatologist diagnosed it as eczema, which I have had before. I use Aclovate ointment when it is bad and acquafor moisterizer very frequently. That seems to keep it under control.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Members, please remember we are not in the medical advice business. As you have seen all kinds of causes are possible for similar symptoms. The best advice is to let someone EXAMINE you and determine the cause and treatment.

I'm going to close this now. Thanks