Cut at the corner of my mouth

[divex07]

Hello everyone

  3 days ago I got a cut on the corner, right, of my mouth.  I have included an *illustrated picture of where the cut was. http://i54.tinypic.com/2w6rnrq.gif     *just a drawn picture*

So it was hard to avoid opening the cut during the day since it was after all the corner of my mouth which was required to eat, talk and even yawn.

The following days later the cut seemed to be ?infected? the area around that area got red, BUT it doesn't Itch or hurt. here's the same picture but now showing where it became red. http://i52.tinypic.com/255iec4.gif   *drawn picture*

  Today the cut seemed to have gone, but the redness is still there an around the area illustrated in that pic and it seems to be slowly spreading.   I am very worried, I don't know what's happening to me.   If anyone have any idea please don't hesitate and post here I would very very much appreciate everything you guys have to contribute.  If you guys/girls require any more details please don't hesitate and ask.  

Thank you very much for reading this,


Best Regards

Michael

[Cdif305]

I have something like that too!!! Ugh so annoying a frustrating!! It comes and goes! It heals, maybe in like 3 weeks to a month it's come back , or in next days it can even come back. I don't know what the hell it is. There are no bumps or blisters, it's just a cut that keeps reoccurring over and over again! I put antibacterial ointment of the Publix brand and it helps put doesn't keep off permanently!!!!!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Blistex contains allantoin, camphor and topical phenol. The combination of allantoin, camphor, and phenol is used to treat pain, itching, or severe lip dryness caused by chapped lips or cold sores but may cause severe burning, stinging, redness, or other irritation after applying the ointment. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to allantoin, camphor, or phenol, or to any of the other ingredients of the ointment, including menthol, bees wax, glycerin, lanolin, mineral oil, and paraffin.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[divex07]

Hello again Dr. Bhupinder Kaur,

So I just gave it time to heal and applied Polysporin™ which didn't seem to work. One corner seems to okay, but the right one seems to have flared up!  It almost looks like I am sticking my tongue out, embarrassing.  

I bought an ointment called, "Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment". I am wondering if this would help me situation out.  Please get back to me Doctor. :)

ps. http://peaceableimperatrix.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/lip-oint72.jpg that's what the ointment looks like in case you needed a visual.

Thank you very much,

Yours Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The treatment which is best for this is application of topical antibiotics and taking oral antibiotics after consulting your dermatologist. Once healing starts with topical and oral antibiotics, there will be some quick drying and less recurrence of opening up of lesions.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[divex07]

Hello Dr. Bhupinder Kaur,

Thank you for your reply like always :) .

Fortunately it isn't painful or looks at all like a blister.  It's actually very hard to keep the cuts closed. Because this is at that kind of angle for chewing, yawning, talking & eating.

It just opens up again and repeats the healing process. Is there a way to make it more resistant?


Sincerely,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The bumps can be due to infected hair follicles near the edges of lips and should go away. However if they are painful blister like sores, then cold sores caused by HSV1 should be evaluated.

You should keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment and oral antihistaminics like Benadryl or Zyrtec are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[divex07]

Hello Dr. Bhupinder Kaur

Thank you for the reply. I know this is about ~7 months late, It healed the first time nicely.  

But it happened again this week. The cut healed today(the cut isn't opened anymore) but it seems to look like a bump in the corner at the cut region. Will that go away?

Regards,

Michael

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be angular cheilitis. From the symptoms that you have described, it looks like angular cheilitis. It is an inflammatory lesion at the corner of the mouth and manifests as deep cracks or splits. More commonly it is caused by a fungal infection.

Dry out the lesions completely by patting and air drying after washing with a mild soap and use petroleum jelly to lock out moisture. It is vital that the affected areas be clean and completely dry before application of the jelly. You can also apply small amounts of athlete’s foot cream which is available over the counter. If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist as oral antimicrobials may be needed. Also take some Vitamin B supplements.
I sincerely hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.

[divex07]

Hello again everyone,


So it was beginning to shrink and go away/fade but I wanted it to be quicker so I started applying Polysporin but that seemed to be a bad idea it just made it red again. I am pretty disappointed, does anyone know if this is what Polysporin does?  makes the skin red again?


Yours Sincerely,

Michael

[divex07]

EDIT: My apologies it isn't spreading I was to hastely to judge what was happening.  But it's still the same as pic 2 around the corner.