Hi.....for quite a while now I have had very dry lips and cracks in the corners of my mouth. Also itching around my lips. I was told the itching was hayfever. The cracks peel and look sort of disgusting. It is also very red, probably because I keep picking at it. Does anyone know what causes this?
Hi
This may be a case of angular cheilitis. Angular cheilitis involves the corners of the mouth and is usually caused by a fungal infection. This may present with redness and tenderness in the involved areas. Vitamin B2 and B12 deficiencies as well as iron deficiencies may actually cause angular cheilitis. You may apply miconazole gel thinly over the area. Observe the condition after 1 week if it has improved with the medication. Miconazole gel is an antifungal medication. If there is no response, then I suggest that you cease the medications and have this further evaluated. Systemic disease states have to be ruled out.
Do you have other associated symptoms?