The lips might become much chapped and then dry when they’re much exposed to the sun, wind or even cold air. A lip balm that has petroleum or even beeswax can provide a good barrier and assist to seal in moisture.
More moisture is usually lost through the lips than via any other part of the face or the body.
Inflammation at one or even both of the corners of mouth is also termed as angular cheilitis. These are a kind of a sensitive sores that start with a very little discomfort and then generally take a very serious form, leading to dryness, chapping and then, red lesions.
It only sticks to the area of the lips and does not even spread. A thing should also be noted is that if a person develops the angular cheilitis on one side of the mouth, he should try not to touch using both corners of the mouth using the same finger, lipstick or even lip balm tube
When the lips lose its moisture, the skin that is covering them may become very tight and then start to split.
It’s pretty common and the affects people of all ages. You can get it during any given season, but it normally occur in the winter due to lack of humidity in the air might impair the lip barrier so it’s very prone to cracking and injury. Once it cracks, it can be really tricky to heal
When moisture builds up in a very warm and closed area like this, it’s so easy for the yeast and then the fungi to grow and even lead to infection. It’s very less common, but the bacteria like staphylococcus might also infect the cracked skin and lead to inflammation.
All that saliva may actually do is to dry the lips out and then break down the skin. It normally happens at night when you’re drooling and especially, if you’re a chronic lip-licker
Cracked corners of mouth is said to be multifactorial disorder of the infectious origin, with several local and systemic predisposing reasons, The sores in the angular cheilitis are normally infected with the fungi (yeasts), bacteria, or a combination thereof; this can represent a secondary infection by the pathogens.
Some of the studies have related the initial onset of the cracked corners of mouth with the nutritional deficiencies, especially of the riboflavin vitamins and iron (that leads to iron deficiency anemia), which in turn can be evidence of the malnutrition or even malabsorption. Angular cheilitis might be a manifestation of the contact dermatitis that is considered in two major groups; irritational and allergic.
Therefore, generally, the causes of cracked corners of mouth;
- Angular Cheilitis
This is a condition that affects the corners and nooks inside of the mouth. It can make eating very painful and causes ulcers and sores to form at the corners of the lips. The sores can bleed a great deal, especially if a person opens her mouth too wide when there is a flare up.
Most of the medical experts normally agree that cracked corners of mouth is linked to poor diet. Vitamin deficiencies, more especially B2, are said to be the major culprit of the angular cheilitis. There can also be deficiencies that has to do with iron and zinc, or the problem might be triggered by the fungal infection.
- Weather Conditions
Extreme heat and even cold, or the exposure to too much of the sun, might trigger the cracked corners as the skin on the lips is very delicate. This condition might also lead to the lips to chap in several other places besides the corners of the mouth.
- Skin Irritants
Sometimes, people have a reaction to makeup or the hygiene products they are applying. Lipstick or even balm, and toothpaste might all trigger the cracked corners of mouth. Sometimes the products have harsh ingredients and daily use leads to skin problems.
- Allergic Reactions
Cracked corners might form due to an allergic reaction to the medication, product, or even food. Most of the prescription and non-prescription medications list cracked corners of mouth as a common side effect.
- Celiac Disease
People who are suffering from the celiac disease normally develop cracked corners. The condition makes it very difficult for the body to digest important nutrients from food, leading to a vitamin deficiency that may trigger cracking.
- Dehydration
Not drinking of enough water is one of the most common reasons for the cracked corners of mouth and dry, chapped lips. Not getting of enough vitamin B2 and zinc is also problematic.
- Oral Herpes
Herpes leads to sores to break out on the body. When a person suffers from the oral herpes, mouth sores can happen at any time. Normally, an outbreak is also triggered by stress, poor eating, or lack of sleep.
- Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the mouth leads to a continuous air flow that is around the mouth, which can cause chapped, dry lips. For most of the people, this is a sleeping issue that leads to them to awaken with cracked corners. When sleeping, it is impossible to control how you breathe, so a person who breathes normally during the day can find open mouth breathing a problem at night.
- Poor Habits
Licking or even biting the lips can lead to the corners of the mouth to crack. Some of the people who wear dentures also find that there are problems with the fit and even the cracks develop.
If the cracked corners of mouth do not disappear in a few days, speak with the doctor. The condition might be uncomfortable and make you self-conscious of the appearance, so the sooner it clears up the better.
There might also be a problem with the yeast infection that will require special medication. If over the counter remedies and home remedies do not work, schedule an appointment with the doctor to be sure there are no serious issues leading to the cracks.
The symptoms of angular cheilitis can be mild to severe. But, the first sign is the cracked lips.
- Minor Angular Cheilitis
The symptoms go unnoticed when the person suffers from the minor angular cheilitis the is the initial stage.
- Small blistering skin that is in the corners of the mouth.
- Stiffness in one or even both corners of the mouth.
- Slight uneasiness in opening the mouth wide.
- Mild Angular Cheilitis
This is the stage where all people notices the angular cheilitis. Most of the people at this stage try to treat the cracked corners of mouth using Chap Stick.
- Noticeable uneasiness in one or even either sides of the mouth while eating or even opening of the mouth wide.
- Build-up of the crumbling skin on one or even either corners of the mouth.
- Minor redness and puffiness on the sides of the mouth.
- Severe Angular Cheilitis
This is normall the stage where most of the people realize that they are not dealing with the chapped lips but, it is something that is more than just chapping. At this very stage, the Chap Stick and topical ointment do not assist.
- Very noticeable discomfort especially when eating, talking and movement of the mouth.
- Severe as well as painful blisters at one or both corners of your mouth.
- The edges of the mouth normally get split, which is difficult to heal.
Cracked Corners of Mouth Vitamin Deficiency
Riboflavin, or vitamin B-2, happens in all of the food groups, but the deficiencies might develop and lead to symptoms that affect the mouth, eyes and skin. You may get plentiful riboflavin in the dairy products, whole grains and even dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus and spinach.
It also happens in grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and nutritional yeast. Breads and cereals can be fortified using riboflavin and it is normally included in the multivitamins or vitamin B-complex dietary supplements. Given that it is water soluble and not stored in the body, you must then replenish it very frequently.
Riboflavin serves as a coenzyme and works with other B vitamins in most of reactions so as to release energy from the nutrients in the body’s cells by accepting and then donating of two hydrogens, according to doctors. Riboflavin also helps with the growth and the production of red blood cells.
Cracked Corners of Mouth and Sore Tongue
The first symptoms of cracked corners of mouth can be a bad taste in the mouth and the decreased taste. Thrush causes curdlike white patches that is inside the mouth, especially on the tongue, palate (roof of the mouth and back of the throat) and corners of the mouth.
If you try to scrape off the whitish surface of the patch, you will then find a red, inflamed area that can bleed slightly. There might also be the cracked, moist areas of skin at the corners of the mouth.
Sometimes thrush patches are very painful, but sometimes they are not. Infants who have painful patches can be fussy, irritable and then feed poorly.
Sore in Corner of Mouth
Cheilosis is the painful inflammation and even cracking of the corners of the mouth. It also is known as cheilitis. It sometimes happens on only a side of the mouth, but normally involves both sides.
Cheilosis is brought about by a yeast infection. The yeast grows in moisture that collects in skin folds at the corner of the mouth. Cheilosis happens most often in the people who have ill-fitting dentures. The dentures may not be able to separate the upper and lower jaws far enough. People who lick or otherwise irritate the corners of the mouth also tend to develop cheilosis.
Treatment mostly focuses on elimination of the causes. You may be required to stop oral habits or get better-fitting dentures. You can apply medicine directly to the affected spot to treat an infection. This might be a steroid, antifungal or the antibacterial medicine. For severe infections, you might be required to take antifungal pills. This is most likely in the people with underlying medical problems.
Cracked Corners of Mouth Pregnancy
It is also not very uncommon for the women to get angular cheilitis during pregnancy. Because the bacteria that leads to the angular cheilitis is already in the saliva, angular cheilitis can happen whenever the body is under stress or even whenever the body’s immune system is much weakened. Since pregnancy leads to rapid changes in the person’s body angular cheilitis can happen at any time during the pregnancy, however it is most common during morning sickness.
Cracked Corners of Mouth Remedies
Lip balms and the ointments that have vitamin E, lanolin and shea butter soothe painful cracked corners of mouth. If you don’t have the lip balm, petroleum jelly also works. Avoid the products that have eucalyptus, cinnamon, menthol or camphor as they can make irritation much worse.
Honey lubricates the lips and then speeds up healing. Smear a dab of honey on the cracked lips before bed and then let the skin absorb it overnight. Yogurt that have live active cultures, like the Lactobacillus acidophilus, may assist as well. Use some plain yogurt to the cracked area. Then sooth with a spoonful in the mouth and then swish it around before swallowing in case the cracks are brought about by yeast.
There are several methods of treating cracked corners of mouth. Some of the natural home remedies are as indicated below:
- Honey
Honey works great in the fighting with the infection-causing microorganisms. Use some honey on the angular cheilitis and let it rest for about 20 minutes. This can also be applied alongside cucumber.
- Aloe Vera Gel
For treating and even alleviating the pain of the cracked corners of mouth, rubbing of the aloe vera on the cracked corners of the mouth also proves to be very helpful. Refrigerate a leaf of aloe vera before applying it on the affected area. Rub it for a few minutes and then let it dry for at least 20 minutes before washing it. This is a very natural treatment for the angular cheilitis.
- Lip Balms and Moisturizers
Unscented and even unflavored lip balms, like the petroleum jelly or even virgin coconut oil heal the infection and are an excellent natural treatment for the angular cheilitis. Ensure that there are no chemical substances available in the balm or moisturizer. Do the process as many times as possible in the daytime and right before sleeping.
- Water
Hydrate yourself is the best mantra for treating the body that has angular cheilitis. Drink a lot of water, so that you do not get chapped and dry lips that eventually develop cracks. Keep the body hydrated by consuming about 12 glasses of water daily so as to cure cracked lips.
- Cocoa Butter
To do away with the dry lips and eventually avoiding of the problem of chapped lips, cocoa butter is a very perfect moisturizer. Use a small amount of natural cocoa butter, twice or even thrice a day on the affected area, for treating of the angular cheilitis.
- Homemade Mixture
2 tablespoons of tea tree oil, 1 tablespoon of Vitamin E oil, and about ½ tablespoon of the petroleum jelly can be mixed and used over the cracked area as many times possible in a day. This given remedy can heal the slits around the corners of the lip.
- Lemon
Cracked corners of mouth can also be treated at home by using lemon.
- Cucumber
Put a slice of cucumber on the affected spot. You can also rub it very gently. It will get rid of the soreness, caused due to angular cheilitis.
- Neem Leaves
Extract the juice of a fresh neem leaves by crushing them. Use it on the affected spot to destroy the infection-causing micro-organisms.
- Over-the-counter Ointments
You can also use natural ointments that are available in the market, to do away with cracked corners of mouth. Terrasil Skin Repair is one product that gives noticeable improvements within a day. It also relieves inflammation, redness as well as irritation associated with angular cheilitis.
Measures to Prevent Angular Cheilitis
- Avoid licking the lips.
- Boost up the immune system.
- Take supplements of Vitamin B and iron so as to overcome their deficiencies in the body.
- Visit your dentist to get thes dentures readjusted.
- Drink enough amount of water.
Cracked Corners of Mouth Treatment
If the home remedies don’t cure the condition, you may want to try an over the counter treatment. An over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream might assist to counter inflammation. Use it to the cracked corners several times a day, more especially at night and after meals.
If you suspect that the cracked corners of mouth is due to the fungal infection, you should consult the healthcare professional for more advice. According doctors, the cracks might be a breeding ground for the yeast, so even if the condition was not brought about by infection, it is easy for the cracks to develop one.
Topical creams that have ketoconazole or clotrimazole can be an effective treatment for the cracked corners of the mouth brought about by yeast infections. These active ingredients work by weakening of the cell membrane, which kills the disease-causing fungi.
The physician may want to try a stronger anti-fungal agent such as:
- Monistat-Derm
- Nizoral
- Vioform-HC
Usually, these medications would be used four times a day to the cracked corners of the mouth. This will cure the condition.
If the corners of mouth will not disappear on its own, it is better to consult a specialist; with better treatment angular cheilitis might be eliminated.
Since this uncomfortable, unpleasant-looking condition can be brought about by the yeast infection, if the attempts at a home remedy do not produce results as expected, seek professional help so as to treat the condition and also ensure that there are no other underlying medical conditions.
