rash on face & angular cheilitis?

[A26]

Hi, I have two questions. First, my lips have cracked/ or lip fissures on the corners of my mouth. How can I get rid of them?? I have used 1%hydrocortisone cream, zinc cream, washing my face w/water and soap and then applying vasoline, Aquaphor and it won't go away. What can I use to help it???
Also, I have a rash now by my lips from I think using too much product on my face and washing my lips with dish soap that was too concentrated, it first made my face peel and very dry, so I put lotion on it, and now there's little red bumps-a rash by my lips. What can help to get rid of this rash??
Please help me asap, I am so frustrated.
Thank you!
A26

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Your symptoms are suggestive of cheilitis and perioral dermatitis. Avoid licking the lips as saliva evaporates quickly resulting in them being drier than before. 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. 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 or there is deep cracking in the region of your mouth,then pls consult your doctor as it can be due to infection(Angular Cheilitis).Antibiotics are needed in such cases.

For rash around the lips, a mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil should be used for washing. Scrubbing should be avoided.Also apply topical antibiotic creams and if the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.
I hope that helps.Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[A26]

Just wanted to say thank you for answering me back. I appreciate your help. My rash is getting better, I have been washing it with water and a mild soap, and I did end up going to Med Express here. The doctor gave me some oral antibiotics for the rash.
So hopefully this rash keeps clearing up.
The doctor did say I have angular cheilitis on my lips, he gave me an ointment, called Bactroban and an oral antibiotic but he said not to fill the antibiotic unless I really needed it, if the corners of my mouth became red and have pus coming out. So right now I am using the Bactroban ointment hoping that it is helping my lips. They still aren't healed yet, but hopefully it will heal. I did ask him what I can do so that I don't get this again, he just said to drink plenty of water. Is there anything else that prevents the angular cheilitis?? Why do u get it anyways??

Thank you much for your help!
A26

[A26]

Just wanted to say thank you for answering me back. I appreciate your help. My rash is getting better, I have been washing it with water and a mild soap, and I did end up going to Med Express here. The doctor gave me some oral antibiotics for the rash.
So hopefully this rash keeps clearing up.
The doctor did say I have angular cheilitis on my lips, he gave me an ointment, called Bactroban and an oral antibiotic but he said not to fill the antibiotic unless I really needed it, if the corners of my mouth became red and have pus coming out. So right now I am using the Bactroban ointment hoping that it is helping my lips. They still aren't healed yet, but hopefully it will heal. I did ask him what I can do so that I don't get this again, he just said to drink plenty of water. Is there anything else that prevents the angular cheilitis?? Why do u get it anyways??

Thank you so much for your help!
A26