chapped, red lips and bordering area

I originally developed angular cheilitis about a month ago. My doctor, who is also a family member, prescribed me Nystatin to apply topically twice every day. It took about 10 days to see any results in the corners and my lips stayed pretty well chapped and red. I continued Nystatin and used neosporin at night before bed, and in the morning my lips would be red, swollen and very tender. So I tried a medicated lip treatment at night and continued to use neosporin to keep them moist during the day. While the corners of my mouth were improving, the rest of my lips stayed red and swollen and the skin around my lips was red and itchy. I am very concious of my oral hygiene and wash my hands before touching my lips or face.
Now, almost 3 weeks later, the corners are almost back to normal. But my lips, and the surrounding skin is still very red and tender.  I have read numerous "home remedies" and used every thing that doesn't sound completely crazy!!  (anti bacterial soaps, baby wash, dr bronners miracle soap, dish soap, hydracortizone, vaseline, blistex, neosporin, chapstick...) Nothing has had any lasting effect. I have read good and bad things about everything I have tried and I am at a dead end.
I know that I am anemic, and my diet wasn't great before. But for the last two weeks I have been taking a multi vitamin and a fish oil vitamin. I have cut out all sugar, bread, and alcohol. They looked quite a bit better when I began the placebo pill of my birth control. And then returned to being red and uncomfortable when I started taking it again. I have taken this specific birth control for the last 3 years with no side effect like this.
I feel as if I have tried everything, and am taking every precaution I can to get my lips back to normal. Nothing is working. This has been a nightmare and I don't know what else to do!! Is there anything I am missing? Anything I shouldn't be doing? Maybe counteracting treatments?
Please help!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

For such lips, drink plenty of water and take multivitamin supplements and do not apply lipstick or other cosmetic products for some days. Use a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home and apply shea butter or Vaseline on your lips.

You can also use a homemade ointment mixed from 1 tsp glycerine, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp castor oil. Spread on lips overnight, refrigerating the leftovers for future use. Eat foods high in calcium, magnesium and flaxseed oil. If a week of compresses and emollients don't do the trick, you can add over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment to your regimen.

If the condition still persists 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.