Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.

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marycanelas 06/03/2010

From the severe dryness, the corners of my mouth have cracked about 6 weeks ago, and they just get worse and are not healing. It is so painful, it opens when I try to open my mouth to eat, ect. Does anyone else have this happen? I am already on Evoxac to stimulate saliva glands, I use all the biotene products, keep cream on the corners of my mouth, but the severe cracks at each corner of my mouth stay there, and its so painful. I would love to hear about anyone else who has this, any advice to help them heal, ect. I am on plaquenil, cellcept ( 3000 mg) and prednisone 7.5 mg maint. dose. I have been on all of this for quite some time.
Thank you for reading this.
I hope you all have a wonderful day! I do not know what I would do without DS and my DS friends!
Many Hugs,
Mary

deleted_user 06/03/2010

I am not really sure but you may want to find out about your Vitamin B levels and maybe D levels if you haven't done so already. A good B Complex vitamin may help this. For the time being I would ask your doctor if a steroid cream may help speed up recovery of these cracks.

deleted_user 06/03/2010

Could be a yeast infection... ? I haven't experienced this personally but it sounds like a possibility.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-134399.html

Do some googling on prednisone. It looks like a possible suspect for the cause. Here's one: http://www.hellolife.net/explore/yeast-infection/steroids-can-contribute-to-yeast-infections/

I hope you get some relief soon.
Take care,

deleted_user 06/03/2010

Hi. I get those awful cracks all of the time . Two things work for me one is carmex - its like a dollar for a little yellow tube or triple antibiotic with lidocaine. Just a little dab of the anti stuff works when it is hurting. I don't know how sensitive you are to menthol so if you are then carmex may not be a good choice. Hope this helps.

GailSK 06/04/2010

My dermatologist prescribed Nystatin cream. Works like a charm, but my dryness doesn't compare to yours. When the cracks start, I apply the cream immediately, and they only last a day. I also use nystatin mouthwash when my mouth burns excessively. That was prescribed by a dentist in my area who specializes in research on Sjogren's. Both doctors said the condition is caused by yeast infection.

Checking with a nutritionist is also not a bad idea. Maybe you are low on some vitamin or other that contributes to the dryness.

Stenda 06/14/2010

This is one Sjogren's nuisance that is easily fixed. It's called angular chelitis and while some other creams may help for awhile, the only thing, in my experience, that will get rid of this is the nystatin cream that someone else mentioned. The cracks are caused by yeast I think (like the oral candidiasis some of us get). They can get pretty bad and painful so please go as soon as you can and get your doctor to give you a prescription for nystatin. It will work like a charm, you don't need to suffer with this!

Hugs,

Stenda

deleted_user 06/15/2010

I use Burts Bees Wax on my lips or vaseline when they crack really bad along with using all of the biotene products. Sure hope you can get some relief.

Hugs,
Kim

deleted_user 06/16/2010

Mary,
Cracks in the corners of your mouth are a yeast infection. You can treat this topically with any anti-fungal ointment like Tinactin. If the cracks are really deep or long, then the prescription-strength would work faster.

Preventing oral yeast is a matter of having a good diet, and keeping your mouth moist, not just with water, since too frequent sipping actually makes your mouth drier. I like the Oral Balance gel best since it last longer and I feel like I get more relief for my money. Spit is actually the best oral moisturizer so adding something like Salese Xylitol lozenges, OptiMoist, or several of the other specially-for-dry-mouth products to your daily routine would help prevent recurring infections.

deleted_user 04/11/2011

I have sjogrens and have suffered from angular chelitis for quite a while now. I keep my lips as moist as possible but they never seem to completely heal. A trip to the Dentist assures that I will come home with one or both of the corners of my mouth split open as either the Dentist or assistant, at some point during the appt, pulls on the corner of my mouth. I have found that it helps to put vaseline on my lips prior to letting them touch my mouth. Thanks for the suggestion of trying nystatin cream. Will be keeping fingers crossed it works. Good luck to others suffering from this horrible condition.

deleted_user 04/12/2011

YES!!! i have the exact same problem, my lips are constantly sore and peel and both corners of my mouth have also been split for quite some time on my lips i,ve tried to use vaseline ect but my lips absorb it as soon as i put it on, i,ve tried steriod and antibiotic cream on the split corners of ,my mouth but nothing seems to help them heal, hope you find something tht works xxx

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