Sores Inside Nose and also Along the Gum Line

[LindaC1207]

This is becoming so damn irritating, I have a sore in one of my nostrils that almost feels as if it's infected and it seems to radiate down to the top of my gum line in the front of my mouth.  I also keep getting these small cuts in both corners of my mouth, seems to happen at night while I'm sleeping and my mouth gets very dry. I've been using Biotene Mouth Wash and the Biotene toothpaste, which feels good on my mouth but hasn't helped the sores.  I've also been using Neosporin in my nose but that's not helping at all.

Any suggestions on what I can use to help the pain?

Many thanks!
Linda

[nygirl7]

I'm sorry Linda - I had them during all 72 weeks of treatment and never found anything that would help (and I tried it all) but the one bit of good news I can give you is that two weeks after I stopped the IFN they were gone for good and never came back (and it's been two years).

So, at least that is something to help you hold on!

[GreatBird]

A really good Vitamin B complex pill can help with the cuts in the corners of the mouth.

[meakea]

Linda, I get the sores in my nose too (luckily not in my mouth "yet").  I use a triple antibiotic just inside my nostrils and I use a simple saline spray twice a day in each nostril.  The sores seem to go away pretty quickly but come right back.  I had one bad one that was up higher in the nostril that would create scabs that would eventually blow out...gross!!

[granitekonig]

put vaseline up your nose and drink lots of water

[meakea]

I read somewhere along the line that vaseline (and other petroleum based products such as Desitin) should NOT be used.  Not liver friendly or something like that.  I tried to find the source where I read that but I can't find it.  Maybe this is one of those "too picky" things.

[LindaC1207]

I saw my primary care doctor yesterday and she told me to use saline, so I guess that will be the next thing on my list when I stop at CVS.  I asked him about putting the Neosporin up my nose, I've been doing this for a few weeks now, and she said that it's not a good idea to put it inside your nostrils, in fact, it may be aggravating it more.  

I'm going to speak with my liver doctor about it the next time I see her.

Thanks for all your help!
Linda

[sunqueen]

Ocean nasal spray saved me. I would buy the equivalent at Sam's and carried around industrial sized bottles. You want to GENTLY moisturize with SALINE.

[CoWriter]

by Dr John G. McHutchison......

Q: What would you recommend for a patient who develops cheilosis with cracks at the corners of the mouth during peginterferon/ribavirin therapy?

A: According to anecdotal responses from the Care & Counsel listserve articipants, various options may be helpful. Ms. Corbett, one of the cochairs for this series, recommended Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) in Orabase. Another participant suggested that the combination of Bacitracin and Loprox (ciclopirox) was very effective. Patients should put a “dot” of each on their fingertips, and then apply enough to the corners of the mouth every couple of hours to keep coated. Excessive moisture and secondary bacterial and/or fungal colonization can keep the lips from healing. Candida infection can also cause cheilosis, which can be treated topically with ketoconazole cream 2%, twice a day. Patients should be advised to avoid licking their lips and mouth corners.

http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/Init/G/1693/1693-TxReporter2Web.pdf
(page 3)


Although cheilosis is a yeast infection, it can also be caused by lack of magnesium, vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid and zinc....which is common in people with Hep C.  

Co

[lapis]

When your nose heals, you might consider trying a neti pot wash as a preventative treatment, though it would be a good idea to check it out with your doc first since you've had the sores.  I don't think I'd want to do this with sores in the nose, as there is the possibility of the solution going into the sinuses.  The neti pot is an Indian (Ayurvedic) custom, I believe.  It helps to rinse the nasal mucosa, removing irritants and dust.  Kind of like Ocean nasal spray but with more volume.

My nose has been very dry and itchy.  Sometimes it drives me crazy!  Most mornings I remember to do a neti wash.  I use a small pot (like a little teapot with a spout, you can even get them in Walmart these days) and warm water with seasalt to rinse each nostril.  I pour into the right side and it drains out the left side, and vice versa.  I don't always like the way it feels when doing it, but I like the way it feels afterward.  I've learned that I have to get the water temp and salinity just right to avoid a feeling of burning or stinging as I do the procedure.  

When I wake up snotty or with an itchy nose or feel like there's "stuff" up there, the neti tx does me right.  Afterwards I blow a lot and feel much better.  So far (wk 15) my nose and sinuses have stayed clear.

There are some really funny youtube vids about people putting all kinds of weird stuff into their noses with a neti pot, but the only thing I'd recommend is saline solution.

[jankar]

I have a water based nasal spray and a nasal gel with Vitamin E, olive oil and sesame oil that is fantastic for stopping the nasal passages and areas around the nose from drying out when my nose is really sore - like it is now.  Nose seems to dry out a lot during the night when I am not drinking water and dehydrating.

I take a complex vitamin B, flax seed oil,have  a rigourous cleaning, flossing and rinsing mouth hygeine.  I got to the dental hygienist every three months for cleaning.  So far no probs except for some mouth ulcers early on and now a couple of small cold sores, which I sometimes get when stressed anyway.

Could it be you have oral thrush?

[Kristina538]

I used a 'saline rinse bottle' from the chemist (with the correct mix of saline in sachets) - it was hugely relieving with the nose 'sores' and sinus probs.

(also used the biotene mouthwash which was great).   I got hold of a 'lip balm' with oil leaf extract and vit E from another chemist which I kept with me all of the time... if the cracks get infected you need a prescription so it helps to keep it at bey as best you can.

[ram921]

The study nurse told me to take Lysine for the nose sores.

[YuK]

just like granitekonig and others using the saline, twice daily will prevent them.  I like to lightly coat with vaseline when it gets too dry.  I use chap stick every day on my lips.  I keep it by the bed and use it every night before bed and anytime I wake up ( which is usually once).  I love vaseline for my skin, lightly coating it after a shower when I'm still wet.  Using the vaseline on your skin is a developed knack in order for it to absorb/protect the skin without getting greasy.


  



,

[justme53]

I was having nose issues too and decided to try the neti pot. I wasn't quite as "neat" as some of the youtubers are, but it gets better with practice....and I feel a difference in only two days. Good advice!