I have never had any problems with my skin or lips or anything like that... but recently, over the last 3 months, i've had cracking at the corners of my mouth. It got worse this week with a sort of red dry scaly rash on one side of my mouth along with the cracking.
I am at a loss as to what it could be. I tried tea tree oil but I don't think it helped much.
Any advice appreciated.
ps. I was previously a poster here but have forgotten my sign n details having been away for a few years.... must try and find them!
sorry....somehow posted twice? deleted this.
Hi Sloopy, 🙂 and welcome back to Healthypages :grouphug:
Your cracked and dry lips could be the due to the colder and windier days as we approach winter and the house tends to be drier too. Also notice if unconsciously you lick or bite your lips – I sometimes do this – and cracked and dry lips can worsen when we do this. Also, these same conditions can cause cracks in the folds of the skin at the corner of the mouth - this is where moisture usually gathers and a scaly rash could be caused from a fungal or yeast infection developing.
Are you going through hormonal changes?
You may have to go to the doctor to have this checked out. It's possible you also may be lacking in B vitamins or possibly even from low iron - a blood test will let you know. Low B vitamins could be caused from your system being overly acidic.....you may want to look at what you've been eating lately and supplement your diet with a vitamin B complex as well as more alkaline foods. Adding yogurt or acidophilus may help your intestional tract and stimulate your immune system. Adding Vitamin C and zinc to your diet may help too.
Someone with more herbal knowledge than me on this forum, can help you too. I know echinacea, goldenseal and chaparral may help but I also know these shouldn't be taken long term.
You may like to look up [url]angular chelitis[/url] and discussion about about it here on HP (can't find it right now though). It is a nuisance and not very pretty but is an indicator of a struggling immune system - You may need extra vitamins and minerals or immune support from echinacea or cat's claw, and /or antifungal cream applied topically - all can help. Meanwhile make sure your diet is rich in fruit and veg, half of which is eaten raw, and low in sugars which is manna for any fungal infection.
Hope it gets sorted soon.