VERY NERVOUS ABOUT ANGULAR STOMATITIS

Doctor Rockoff, one last question from a former Brookline resident/patient of yours now in LA:

I am a 38 year old male and have never had angular stomatitis before last year.  For the last year, off and on (with a 6 month respite), I have had these red irritations/pimples/crusting in both the bottom left and bottom right corners of my mouth at different times.  Usually starts on left side and then goes to right side a few weeks later.  Very unsightly.  It certainly looks like angular stomatitis.  Last year derm. diagonsed it as angular cheilitis.  Usually clears up in 2 weeks.  Derm. has prescribed desonide cream for it along with something else that you wipe on your face like a wet-nap.  Several questions about prevention/treatment:
1.  What foods, if any, can I eat/refrain from to prevent future recurrences?
2.  What vitamins, if any, can I take/refrain from to prevent future recurrences?
3.  What creams or anything else can I take to prevent future recurrences?

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide comfort to so many!  This is making me so nervous.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Angular stomatitis (same as angular cheilitis) is caused by saliva buildup, with the possible involvement of yeast that live in the GI tract.  It has nothing to do with food or vitamin deficiency.  Prevention is not possible, because you can't control saliva while you're sleeping.  Most patients I've seen who have this, however, don't have it all the time.  Mild creams like desonide work fine, as you've discovered.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Careguy]

I would like to know does the food you eat may transform your skin in healthier, or bad skin??