Hello ladies,
I have had this skin irritation on my face, in the corner by my mouth, off and on for almost a year now. At first I just thought it was dry skin, because it was cold and dry weather. But, then when it came and went, and then came back in warm weather, I was not convinced. I used a little bit of everything to try to make it go away: hydrocortisone cream, vasaline, and antibiotic ointments. They would help a little bit, but then it would come right back.
I finally went to my GP last week, who diagnosed me with "perleche" which he said is a yeast fungus of the skin that occurs in the corners of the mouth. It occurs in people who have an excessive amount of saliva that pools around in that area - which I have never really noticed. He told me to get some anti-fungul cream (like you use for athlete's foot or jock itch!), and apply it four times a day, which I have done faithfully for one week. It seemed to get a little better, then in the past couple of days, it is worse - very sore, reddened, and split open. I called GP back and they want to refer me to a dermatologist. I am wondering if that is overkill, or if, since this has been going on so long, I should just take this next step?

My question - have any of you had this affliction, and if so, how did you finally make it clear up? Any insight would be very appreciated!
Thanks so much,
Di

my husband had this.. i had one instance of it too.. we tried all sorts of things, mine cleared up with antiseptic cream, but the anti fungal cream finally got rid of it for my husband. we didn't know what it was, he had no time for a doctor, i ended up asking at a chemist, who first asked if my husband had a moustache, then suggested the anti fungal cream. she said to continue using the cream for 2-3 weeks after it looked like it had cleared up. he has not had it back again since.

also... i just remembered this.. it can be related to a vitamin B deficiency too... may be worth while supplementing.. i gave my husband vitamin pills too...

Thanks for the input, Zen. I did read about the Vitamin B thing on the internet. I plan to get some supplements and try that, also. I guess I will keep using the antifungal cream for now, although it does not seem to be helping much.
Di

Thanks, Ivy Lena -
The weird thing is, when I bought the antifungal cream, and it even says on the box to not use in or near the mouth!!
But, being the good little patient that I am, I tried it anyway!
This weekend, when I have a little more time, I will go shopping to find some teatree oil or cream .
Thanks for this suggestion - I will let you know if I can get some and try it.
My GP has not called back with my appt. to dermatologist yet - maybe if it is a long wait, I can cure myself with these remedies and not even have to go for the consult!
Thanks again,
Di

I don't think that's the correct name, but it does start with a "P." It is a riboflavin deficiency, which is B2, and I've had it and gotten rid of it with a B complex vitamin.

Maybe you are thinking of something else. What I am talking about is definately "perleche". The doctor even wrote the name down for me, and I have looked it up on the internet. It is a french word.

apparently, it's also called Angular cheilitis.. yes, i looked that up.. my husband used a cream here in AU called Daktarin, a cream for athletes foot, there is nothing on the packaging warning against using it near the mouth. i wouldn't think a chemist would recommend using it there if it wasn't safe! it cleared it up tho! took a couple of weeks.. was well worth it, it's a nasty thing to have...

Hmmmm. I guess I am! Well, I hope it goes away soon!

This is worth looking into as I have had this problem on and off too and it seemed to be worse around my period time and I have found folic acid (vitB9) has cleared it up along with the vitBs especially vitB2. When I first got it I went the doctor route and we tried all sorts of things to clear it up including anti fungal creams and nothing worked until I researched it myself and found in my medicine and drugs book which has a section in it on vitamins and their deficiency symptoms and wallah there it was vitB2 deficiency. I have a very old book written by a nutrionist called Adelle Davis and she says it can be from a folic acid deficiency which I have so I take the folic acid tablets daily and its has gone and stayed away for months now.

Sometimes it's the simple things that work in the end, you just have to find them and that's what power surge is for lol

Rox

Rox,
I plan to get some B vitamins this weekend and start taking them. Can't hurt and may just help!
You are so right - I can get so much insight and information just by asking on PS! It is such a valuable resource!
THanks,
Di

Just returned from GNC and I now have some B Vitamins to take and some teatree gel to use on my face. I figure these things won't hurt - and just may make things better! Perhaps I can save myself the trip and money of going to the dermatologist in December. By then, I will know if these methods are effective in clearing this up!
Thanks for all the suggestions - I will keep you posted!
Di