Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Michael S. Fisher, <B>Ph.D., M.D.</B>

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bob wrote at 2008-02-27 00:05:16
Why can't you people in the medical field get your answers right. We look to you guys for advice and one pereon says one thing and then another says totally the opposite. Get your act together!!

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doctor forest wrote at 2009-05-23 20:22:24
a course of antibiotics is quite possibly a contributing factor to angular chelitis.  when antibiotics kill the bacteria, yeasts (candida such as C. albicans) attach to the cell in replacement of the abolished pathogen.  there is a strong correlation between yeast infection and angular chelitis.  when undergoing an antibiotic course, it may be useful to take a vegan acidophilus supplement so that good bacteria can adhere.  one should be aware that foods such as sugar feed fungi (yeast) whilst products containing yeast (such as bread) may be the reason for initial contamination.  There are many natural supplements suggested to cure a yeast infection.  My personal recommendation is oil of oregano (oregano tincture) - a miniscule amount to be applied topically to the corner of the mouth and a few drops a few times a day to be ingested.  This is a powerful herb and it stings, but it is effective.  It may cause alarm to your daughter that it stings the mouth, though a spot test on the wrist should elicit no discomfort and is testament to the fast working action of the oregano.  Please take vegan acidophilus supplements whilst banishing the yeast infection.



"antibiotics acting against bacteria augment adhesion of C. albicans to the surface of epithelial cells by mannan receptors taking the unoccupied place of the bacteria that disappeared, thereby facilitating the transition of C. albicans from the yeast-form to the filamentous aggressive form" Libero Ajello and Roderick J Hay, 1998 - from Topley and Wilson’s Microbiology and Microbial Infections: Volume 4 Medical Mycology

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Dr, Bwana wrote at 2009-12-22 19:37:08
Makes perfect sense that moisture is the culprit. Of course the lips were never intended to be moist. That is why they are so close to the saliva bathed mouth and are comprised of completely different form of epithelium! (tongue firmly in cheek)



Rationally, no one in medicine can agree with the assumption that moisture is the culprit. The treatments that are enumerated here are successful not because they combat "evil" moisture, but because they treat the inflammatory response associated with the condition. The cause of this disorder is not yet determined and likely never will be. This disorder causes no deaths, only discomfort, and isn't "sexy" enough to garner much research attention, research monies and grants.



Since the actual pathophysiology of this disorder is unknown, it is ridiculous to assume that lip moisture is the origin. As a physician myself, the arrogance of the commonly propounded "origins of disease" is stunning. If we don't know what the cause is, we should just say so!



By the way, have you seen my leaches? My evil humours are rising!!!  

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