Angular Cheilitis

Cracks in the corners of your mouth?

We call that Angular (angles) Cheilitis (key-LIGHT-us) (inflammation of the lips).

The standard answer is that this is due to yeast and an Rx for an antifungal cream with or without a topical steroid is given.

While I also prescribe these, I have found nutritional deficiencies to be most likely the underlying cause.

Dr. Eads' recommendations:

1) Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

We recommend Nutricost brand, which you can find online.  400 mg twice a day.  Your urine will turn a very bright yellow color! 

2) B-complex

This is "insurance" against other B-vitamins that are often also deficient, like Niacin. We recommend Nutricost

brand Vitamin B complex 462 mg a day. 

3) Iron.

Technically I'm supposed to tell you to see a doctor and have a blood iron level checked for a few reasons. 

First: if you are deficient in Iron, it may be due to "occult bleeding", which is blood loss you're not aware of.  And if you're having heavy periods, you may need to have that evaluated.

Second: in rare cases, people are found to have HIGH iron levels when we suspected low! I've checked iron levels before on patients with Alopecia, only to find out that they have Hemochromatosis, which is a liver condition that causes high iron levels in the blood.

So, I can't "blanket recommend" iron to every reader. 

Nevertheless, Iron is available OTC, so if you decide to take it, we recommend 

Solgar brand Gentle Iron 25 mg twice a day. 

I hope the cracks in the corners of your mouth get better! If not, come see us for more intensive treatment!