What should I do for dryness, peeling, and redness on both sides of the mouth?

Jun 15, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I've been too busy these past few days, and just now when I washed my face, I noticed that the corners of my mouth are dry, peeling, and red. What should I do about this?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guo Huijie
When symptoms such as dryness, peeling, and redness appear at the corners of the mouth, possible causes should be identified, including angular cheilitis, seborrheic dermatitis, contact cheilitis, dry environmental conditions, and vitamin B2 deficiency. To address these symptoms, the following measures can be taken: 1. General treatment: Keep the skin clean, avoid licking the corners of the mouth, drink plenty of water, and consume fresh vegetables and fruits to replenish moisture and vitamins. In dry environments, using moisturizing skincare products can help alleviate skin dryness. 2. Medication: Choose appropriate medications based on the underlying cause. For example, angular cheilitis may be treated with antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral drugs depending on the type of infection; seborrheic dermatitis can be managed with antifungal agents or topical corticosteroids; for contact cheilitis, avoid irritants and apply topical corticosteroid ointments; in cases of vitamin B2 deficiency, timely supplementation is necessary. 3. Medical consultation: If symptoms are severe or persist, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for professional diagnosis and treatment recommendations.