Rash on lips

Several times over the last year, I have woken up with a rash that starts in the corners of my mouth and moves across my lips and sometimes spreads to my cheeks, nose and chin. On my lips there are tiny blisters, slight swelling and terrible itching. With this outbreak, I also have cracks in the corners of my mouth.

On my cheeks, nose and chin there are no blisters, just a rash, with lots of itching but not much redness - it is quite hard to even see so I don't think it's herpes. All areas (including lips)are extremely dry as well.

I've heard that the cracking can be caused by vitamin defeciencies, but I'm currently pregnant, eating very healthy and taking vitamins. Again, it is always something that I wake up with. Do you think that this could be something bacterial/fungal that manifests itself while I sleep? Thanks for your help!

Jen

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It certainly isn't herpes, which consists of a cluster of blisters in one spot along the lip margin, lasts 7-10 days, and goes away, though it may recur later in the same place.

As for vitamin deficiency, that too is remote.  Though people often refer to the possibility, I agree it makes little sense in your situation.

Sometimes yeasts which live in the mouth and gut congreagte in the corners of the mouth at night.  This generally just affects the corners, not the cheeks, nose and chin.  

Perhaps you have mild roscaea.  If you are using any cortisone creams, I suggest you stop.  Definitive treamtent may have to wait till after you deliver and finish nursing, but I very much doubt you are contagious in any way.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Lady K]

"Sometimes yeasts which live in the mouth and gut congreagte in
the corners of the mouth at night".  
Does anyone know how to prevent this?  I get "cracking" at the corners of my mouth which don't heal for weeks-monthes.  It's very painful and quite unattractive.

[Rickcmel]

I to get the red rashes in the corners of my lips that are absolutely bothersome and unattractive.  I thought it might have been cold sores.  I have tried the fungral creams and nothing seems to work.  Is it a vitamin deficency of some sort??  A stress related issue??  I have noticed key times when it came on full force like a bat out of hell.  One was at my wedding, which really upset me (and I was really really nervous) and the other time was when I moved to a different state.  Obviously two life changing issues.   So my question remains.  will an oral mouth wash such as Periogard or an anti stress med help??  PLEASE

  thank you

[rebelalliance]

A related discussion, Is This Herpes was started.

[hiddenface]

A related discussion, i have these annoying bumps on my lips too!!! was started.