Why are the corners of my mouth cracking

Cracked lip corners are characterized by a break in the skin or sores in the the corners of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet.

It is ​​​​caused by the overdevelopment of fungi or bacteria, or it can happen from habits like constantly licking your lips. These sores can affect only one side of the mouth or both sides, and are associated with symptoms like pain, redness and peeling in the corners of the mouth, as well as difficulty in opening the mouth and even eating.

Cracked lip corners caused by an infection and be transmitted to other people through kissing or using the same cup or cutlery, for example. Treatment for infections typically includes the use of an antibiotic or antifungal medication.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of cracked lip corners include:

• Pain when opening the mouth, speaking or eating
• Burning sensation
• Increased sensitivity in the corner of the mouth
• Dry skin
• Redness in the corner of the mouth
• Crust in the corner of the mouth
• Small cracks in the corner of the mouth

These wounds cause a lot of discomfort and sensitivity when eating or drinking very salty, acidic or sugary foods.

What can cause it

Many people experience cracked lip corners. Its main contributor is persistently wet lips and mouth corners. This can be the case in babies who use pacifiers, for example, or people who use dentures or braces. However, people who frequently use corticoid inhalers may also notice dryer lip corners. Having persistently dry lips may also be a factor, and is having a history of dermatitis in other parts of the body.

This problem occurs more frequently when the immune system is weakened, as in patients with AIDS or diabetes. In some cases, cracked lip corners may be a sign of oral thrush, which must be treated.

Treatment options

The main treatment for cracked mouth corners includes keeping the affected area clean and dry to prevent saliva buildup. However, in most cases it’s important to see your doctor for assessment and possible treatment. You may be advised to use ointments or healing creams to stimulate cellular generation The doctor may also recommend the use of antibiotics or antifungal medication, depending on the cause of the cracked skin.

To promote quicker healing, you should try to consume food and drinks that stimulate healing like yogurt or orange juice. Certain food can speed up the regrowth of skin cells to help close wounds. Salty and acidic foods should be avoided in the meantime to protect the area and prevent any pain and discomfort.

Angular chelilitis is a chronic condition in which the lip corners develop persistent sores. With this condition, there may be periods when it is better and others when it gets worse again, so treatment can take between 1-3 weeks.

Understanding angular cheilitis or perleche

Dear Doctor,
I have noticed cracking at the corners of my mouth, which lately won't seem to go away. What is it and what should I do?

Dear Joan,
Cracking of the corners of the mouth is a common condition that is frequently seen in both the offices of dermatologists and dentists. It is known as perleche or angular cheilitis (“angular” – angles; “cheil” – lip; “itis” – inflammation). Perleche is derived from the French word, “lecher,” meaning to lick, and is characterized by excessive licking of the affected areas — either as a result of irritation or because of it. This condition is further characterized by redness and cracking of the skin at the corners of the lips.

There can be a variety of causes with the majority of them being “local,” meaning they arise from inside or around the mouth. Although uncommon, systemic (bodily) diseases may predispose to perleche as well. Once the corners of the mouth are fissured or cracked, saliva accumulation and contamination can lead to infection. The most common infection is from yeast called, “candida albicans.”

Outside The Mouth Going In

Perleche is found most often in children and younger adults who drool during their sleep and/or have orthodontic braces. In older adults, part of the aging process causes skin wrinkling with superficial or deep lines extending from the mouth and down the chin called, “marionette lines.” Wrinkling is the result of skin thinning from sun damage and constant exposure to the environment over the years, and with fat and connective tissue loss, the lips thin as well. Perleche may be more evident in the winter with colder weather and drier air. Cracking of the corners of the mouth, and subsequent licking to keep them moist, sets the stage for infection.

Inside The Mouth Going Out

Conditions inside the mouth leading to perleche include anything that affects normal and healthy saliva flow or causes mouth dryness that in turn leads to infection.

Other causes include:

• Denture stomatitis (“stoma” – mouth; “itis” – inflammation) is an inflammation of the tissues under a denture. If dentures are not removed and cleaned regularly, dryness and subsequent chronic yeast infections can develop.
• A lack of teeth, especially the back teeth that support the face, cheeks and lips, can lead to bite collapse with subsequent cracking or fissuring at the corners of the mouth, also giving rise to a prematurely aged look.
• Systemic (general body) conditions like iron-deficiency anemia, B vitamin deficiency, diabetes and cancer can also lead to changes in the health and integrity of the oral mucous (mouth) membranes.

These conditions can predispose people to yeast infections, and perleche at the angles of the mouth.

Fixing The Cracks At The Corners

Chronic yeast infections may cause only minor discomfort while acute infections can affect the whole mouth and throat. In either case, they can be treated with a course of oral or topical antifungal (yeast) medication. Nystatin may be used as a troche (a small medicated lozenge designed to dissolve) that is rinsed with and then swallowed so that it works in the mouth and throughout the body. Antifungal ointments can also be applied liberally to the corners of the mouth several times a day to clear infection. They may be used in combination with a steroid ointment to control redness and inflammation, as well as zinc oxide paste or ointment, which is a barrier (skin) repair agent that has antifungal properties.

If infection arises from inside the mouth, it is likely to recur if only the corners of the mouth are treated. Chlorhexidine rinses can also be used to treat minor oral yeast infections. It is also effective for cleaning and scrubbing dentures; however, it is important to leave them out at night.

Optimal oral health and proper lip support from within the mouth can lessen or remove the cracking and wrinkles at the lip corners.

Although not as common, any systemic conditions that cause perleche will also need to be treated. Your dentist should also replace any missing teeth and ensure that dentures are properly fitting. Optimal oral health and proper lip support from within the mouth can lessen or remove the cracking and wrinkles at the lip corners. He/she should verify that oral hygiene is good, gum tissues are healthy and teeth decay free.

Modern dermatology can provide a variety of ways to treat lip wrinkles and marionette lines associated with perleche, and improve skin quality in general. This ranges from proper skin care to laser resurfacing. Facial fillers and fat may be used to replace the loss of connective tissue in the lips and provide support due to aging. Laser, fillers and other techniques can be used to remove both superficial and deep wrinkles and result in a healthier, rejuvenated appearance. This subject will be covered more fully in an upcoming issue of Dear Doctor magazine.

What causes corner of mouth to split?

What deficiency causes cracks at corner of mouth?