Many prescription and non-prescription medications list cracked mouth corners as a common side effect. People suffering from celiac disease often develop cracked corners. The condition makes it difficult for the body to digest essential nutrients from food, causing a vitamin deficiency that can trigger cracking. Not drinking enough water is one of the most common causes of cracked corners of the mouth and dry, chapped lips.
Not getting enough vitamin B2, iron, and zinc is also problematic. Herpes causes sores to break out on the body. When a person suffers from oral herpes, mouth sores can occur at any time. Typically, an outbreak is triggered by stress, poor eating, or lack of sleep. Breathing through the mouth creates a continuous air flow around the mouth, which can lead to chapped, dry lips. For many, this is a sleeping issue that causes them to awaken with cracked corners.
When sleeping, it is nearly impossible to control how you breathe, so a person who breathes normally during the day might find open mouth breathing a problem at night. Licking or biting the lips can cause the corners of the mouth to crack. Some people who wear dentures also find there are problems with the fit and cracks develop. If the cracks in the corners of your mouth do not go away in a few days, speak with your doctor. The condition can be uncomfortable and make you self-conscious of your appearance, so the sooner it clears up the better.
There might also be a problem with a yeast infection that will need special medication. If OTC remedies and home remedies do not work, schedule an appointment with your doctor to be sure there are no serious issues causing the cracks. Last Updated 14 January, Health Conditions. Similar Topics. What Causes Facial Flushing? Is It Serious? Strawberry Nevus and Other Birthmarks in Pictures.
Same Category. Cracked Mouth Corners: Causes and Remedies. Remedies for Cracked Corners of the Mouth There are a number of treatments available for treating cracks in the corner of the mouth. Apply this as many times as you can during the day and the cracks will heal. Copyright WWW. Last Updated 14 January, Cracked Corners of Mouth. The most common cause of cracked corners of mouth is fungal infection. Others include: Chapped lips Viral or bacterial infection Zinc or iron deficiency Allergic reaction to products used near or on the lips like toothpastes and lip balms Overexposure to heat or sun Extreme dehydration Dentures that do not fit well Poor diet Autoimmune disorder Infectious diseases like cold sore Cracked corners of mouth can be worsened by drinking, eating, talking and even smiling.
How to Treat Cracked Corners of Mouth When the cracks get an infection that is not serious, it might only cause minor discomfort. Nystatin can be used as a troche. An antifungal ointment can be used to clear the infection by applying generously on the corners several times in a day. Ointments can be used together with steroid reams that will help manage inflammation as well as redness. Zinc oxide paste can be added to the combinations as it is a skin repair agent and also contains antifungal properties.
You can also get prescription medicine if you suspect the infection might be serious. If the crack has started inside the mouth , topical ointments might not always help as they will recur. A chlorhexidine rinse will help to treat the infection and clean dentures if you have any. If your corners are cracking because of dryness , you should not use treatment that contains menthol or alcohol.
Licking your lips will also worsen the condition so you should avoid it at all time. To find out whether you have angular cheilitis, your doctor will examine your mouth for cracks, blisters, and swelling.
They will also ask you about any underlying conditions you have or habits that might affect your lips and the corners of your mouth. There are other conditions, like herpes labialis lip cold sores and erosive lichen planus an immune-mediated itchy skin rash , that can cause symptoms similar to angular cheilitis.
The best way to determine the exact condition causing the symptoms is by swabbing the nose and mouth and sending the samples to a lab to test for different kinds of fungus and bacteria. Angular cheilitis is a highly treatable condition. But treatment often depends on the underlying cause and whether an infection is present.
When angular cheilitis is caused by a fungal infection, it is treated with antifungal creams. Antifungals are considered the first-line treatment for angular cheilitis. Antifungal treatment can clear the infection and keep affected skin areas free from future infections. Some antifungal creams used to treat angular cheilitis are:. Angular cheilitis caused by a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics—either oral by mouth or topical on the skin.
Common antibiotics used to treat angular cheilitis are Bactroban mupirocin and Fucidin fusidic acid. Some researchers believe that angular cheilitis is caused by some types of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including iron, folate, and B vitamins. It is possible that improving these deficiencies can improve symptoms. These deficiencies can be corrected with vitamin and mineral supplements and a balanced diet. Keeping skin areas affected by angular cheilitis clean and dry is also important.
Do not allow saliva to sit at the corners of the mouth. Lip balms and petroleum jelly can also help manage cracking, crusting, and swollen skin. If ill-fitting dentures or dental problems cause angular cheilitis, refitting dentures or treating dental troubles can help resolve symptoms and prevent recurrences.
Some doctors recommend injectable collagen fillers if droopy lips are to blame for angular cheilitis. Droopy lips can cause the corners of the mouth to turn outward, which makes it easier for saliva to accumulate.
Angular cheilitis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the corners of the mouth, leading to painful, cracked skin. Angular cheilitis is usually treatable with antifungal creams, antibiotics, and diet changes. The outlook for most people with angular cheilitis is usually good. The condition typically goes away within a week or two of starting treatment. Severe angular cheilitis needs treatment to reduce the risk of scarring or thinning skin.
Sometimes angular cheilitis can lead to recurrent episodes of the condition, and people with chronic angular cheilitis need to manage and treat the condition for the rest of their lives.
Depending on what has caused angular cheilitis and how the condition is treated, it could take up to two weeks for your skin to heal and for symptoms to dissipate. Your doctor can prescribe a prescription-strength lip balm if needed to manage burning or stinging of the lips and nearby skin.
However, many over-the-counter medicated lip balms can be just as helpful for managing angular cheilitis symptoms. Your doctor can let you know what your options are. Severe angular cheilitis can lead to recurrent episodes and will need to be managed throughout a person's life. Angular cheilitis cannot be transmitted sexually or through bodily fluids. It is often caused by a fungal infection, such as from Candida albicans.
Its causes are linked to certain health conditions, fungal and bacterial infections, diet, and lifestyle. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Cleveland Clinic. Angular cheilitis. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis? Acta Clin Croat. Cold sores. Angular cheilitis, Part 2: Nutritional, systemic, and drug-related causes and treatment. A single-center year experience with oral candidiasis in Brazil: a retrospective study of 1, cases. Braz Oral Res. Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2.
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