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What Causes Painful Sores In The Corner Of Mouth?

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Posted on Mon, 28 Sep 2015
Question: a few days ago I noticed this sore come up on the side of my lip . I suffer from chronic outbreaks of canker sores and this reminds me of one but I'm not sure. it's very painful and had got larger.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Looks like a cold sore (angular chelitis)

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to healthcare magic

From the picture it looks like a cold sore here.This can be related to different causes such as bacterial or fungal (yeast) infection, iron deficiency anemia, deficiency of vitamins B.

Cold sores can also be caused by herpes simple virus but I will think this as the last possibility.

1) Apply mupirocin ointment (antibacterial) twice daily with antifungal ointment (clotrimazole 1%).

2) Apply zytee gel if you have severe pain over lips.

3) Oral pain killers such as paracetamol can also be used.

4) Take multivitamins like becosules with folic acid 5 mg once daily for 7 days.

I expect that you will start improving in 3 to 4 days and it may take 7 days to get it healed completely.

In case, If there is no improvement within a week (the time cold sores would normally take to improve), then you should see doctor for assessment for other causes like herpes simplex virus.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask if there is any more question.

Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Follow up: Dr. Sandip Kabra (17 minutes later)
ok now does cold sores usually be white to yellow in color like a canker sore ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cold sores usually red in coluor seen on the lips mostly.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the quick follow-up.

Cold sore are commonly due to infection or nutritional (vitamins) deficiency mostly seen on the lips or outside the mouth cavity.

Cold sores are small but painful and usually red in color unlike canker sore which are white and yellow colored and seen mostly inside of mouth or along tongue.

The treatment part has no major difference between them unless we found some particular infection in cold sore (like herpes simplex virus) which needs some medical attention.

Regards,
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Sandip Kabra

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3078 Questions

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What Causes Painful Sores In The Corner Of Mouth?

Brief Answer: Looks like a cold sore (angular chelitis) Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to healthcare magic From the picture it looks like a cold sore here.This can be related to different causes such as bacterial or fungal (yeast) infection, iron deficiency anemia, deficiency of vitamins B. Cold sores can also be caused by herpes simple virus but I will think this as the last possibility. 1) Apply mupirocin ointment (antibacterial) twice daily with antifungal ointment (clotrimazole 1%). 2) Apply zytee gel if you have severe pain over lips. 3) Oral pain killers such as paracetamol can also be used. 4) Take multivitamins like becosules with folic acid 5 mg once daily for 7 days. I expect that you will start improving in 3 to 4 days and it may take 7 days to get it healed completely. In case, If there is no improvement within a week (the time cold sores would normally take to improve), then you should see doctor for assessment for other causes like herpes simplex virus. I hope this helps, feel free to ask if there is any more question. Regards,