If you have lesions in the corners of the lips and you have had them for more than a couple of days, it is very likely that you have the very common condition known as Angular Cheilitis.
This is a notoriously difficult condition to manage, with even doctors often failing to find a permanent solution.
The lesions in the corners of the lips are caused by bacteria taking a hold on the damp skin.
This then becomes fungal in nature and therefore very difficult to eradicate.
Some people might get the condition due to a lowered immune system.
For others, it can be caused by something so seemingly innocuous as slight dribbling from the corners of the mouth caused by, perhaps ill-fitting dentures or a badly fitting brace.
It can even happen due to dribbling caused by pen-sucking, thumb sucking or finger biting.
Angular Cheilitis can often take hold within just a day or so.
You can be perfectly fine one day and end up with crusty sores along the mouth edges the next.
One of the obvious problems is the location of the sores-we have to eat, speak, drink and even breathe! - All activities which worsen the condition, causing extreme pain.
Conventional treatments for lesions in the corners of the lips do not kill off the bacteria and fungal infection so although you might get some temporary relief, you will not be cured completely.
Indeed, rather than spending a fortune on expensive creams, a thin layer of petroleum jelly will offer some temporary relief.