Hello again,

Sorry about the delayed response - am on Asia time and had called it a night after waiting for half an hour after you said you'd try picasa. I have got the emailed photograph though, so thank you.

You have something known as Angular Cheilitis - this is a cracking of the angles of the mouth and this can be caused by various things such as drying of the mouth, B-complex deficiency etc. but in you case there seems to be bacterial infection (called secondary impetiginization) which is what is causing the severe pain. For angular cheilitis without this complication I usually advise 1% Clotrimazole cream mixed with 1% Cortizone cream twice a day for 7-10 days, however I think you require oral antibiotics. I would recommend Tablet Dicloxacillin 500 mg three times a day for 5 days along with Mupirocin cream twice a day - your doctor will need to prescribe both of these for you.

Till you can see your doctor apply an over the counter antibiotic cream like neosporin, soframycin or bacitracin on the crack and keep it moist with vaseline when required.

Again my sincere apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

Please feel free to ask if you have any queries.

I'm glad you're a little better. I'm glad I could be of some help. All the best & regards!