Whether it's a superficial wound or a deeper inflammation, cracked corners of the mouth are painful and irritating. One reason for this is that the mouth is constantly moving, making it difficult for the cracks to heal. But there are ways to prevent further damage.
Discomfort when speaking, chewing, and a burning sensation on the lips—we've all experienced cracked and reddened corners of the mouth. Even though these skin lesions are small, they can often cause pain for a long time, as the mouth is constantly in motion. Healing takes time, but thankfully, there are treatments that can alleviate the symptoms.
There are many reasons why your mouth corners might crack. For example, dry winter air, both outdoors and from heating, can contribute to this type of skin problem. Additionally, the lips have no sebaceous or sweat glands like other parts of the skin, making them more delicate. If you don't moisturize your lips, they are prone to cracking.
What are cracked corners of the mouth?
Cracked corners of the mouth are a common, usually temporary problem. The skin around the lips is sensitive and easily cracks in this area, which can lead to inflammation, scabs, and redness. However, the symptom, also known as oral rhagades, perleche, or angular cheilitis, is not always just a cosmetic issue. Sometimes it can be an indication of an underlying medical condition.
Contact with acidic or salty foods can cause a burning pain that makes eating painful. Brushing your teeth with toothpaste or contact with saliva can also be uncomfortable.
Furthermore, cracked corners of the mouth often heal with difficulty. This is because the corners of the mouth are subjected to stresses during demanding mouth movements—such as yawning or laughing—but also during more everyday tasks like brushing teeth or speaking, which hinder the healing process.
Bacteria, viruses, and fungi multiply in the moist conditions that arise when your mouth corners are dry and cracked. This can lead to inflammation and—if left untreated—become a long-term problem.
Causes of cracked corners of the mouth
In winter, your mouth corners can easily crack and become sensitive because the cold weather stresses your lips. Additionally, a vitamin or nutrient deficiency could be responsible for rhagades. A lack of iron, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin B promotes the development of painful cracks in many affected individuals. In this context, inflammation can also develop in the corners of the mouth. However, a visit to the dentist may also be necessary. In some cases, cracked corners of the mouth indicate poor dental hygiene. Another common cause of this condition in adults is yeast infections. Children usually get angular cheilitis from streptococcal viral infections. But other diseases can also cause these rhagades. It is always advisable to consult a doctor if you have medical concerns, but some common diseases that could be the cause of cracks in the corners of the mouth are atopic dermatitis, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin deficiency as a cause of cracked corners of the mouth
- Iron deficiency: People with iron deficiency anemia often have swollen, painful cracks in the corners of their mouth (called rhagades) as well as brittle nails and hair. Their tongues may also appear red and burning (a condition known as glossitis), and they may have difficulty swallowing. Doctors sometimes refer to this combination of symptoms as Plummer-Vinson syndrome.
- Zinc deficiency: If your immune system is vulnerable, zinc becomes even more important, and a deficiency can lead to painful cracks in the mouth.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Pregnant women and alcoholics are particularly susceptible to this deficiency. In addition to rhagades in the mouth, affected individuals also suffer from rashes and photosensitivity.
- Vitamin C deficiency: If you don't consume enough vitamin C for an extended period, it manifests as scurvy. This is when you see things like bleeding gums and cracked corners of the mouth.
Increased salivation as a cause of cracked corners of the mouth
Our digestive process begins in the mouth when we start to salivate. This saliva contains many enzymes and ferments that can break down food. However, when this saliva comes into contact with our lips, it damages the acid mantle and makes the skin around our mouth much more sensitive. The area around the corners of the mouth is a breeding ground for germs due to moisture and warmth, experts say. Increased salivation at night is the most common cause of cracked corners of the mouth. If you sleep with your mouth open, saliva often collects in the corners of your mouth. But also, if you grind your teeth or your bite is not aligned, this can stimulate increased salivation, which then leads to the destruction of the skin's acid mantle.
Diseases as a cause of cracked corners of the mouth
- Skin diseases: Atopic dermatitis patients suffer from inflamed and itchy skin. This can also spread to the corners of the mouth, as irritated skin makes one susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
- Diabetes mellitus: When a person has diabetes, their body rapidly loses water. Not only that, but the salivary and sebaceous glands are also frequently damaged. Thus, the skin of diabetics not only dries out more easily but also becomes much more easily irritated and cracked. Pathogens can exploit these small cracks in the skin to enter the body and cause an infection, as diabetics have a weakened immune system.
- Herpes virus: If your immune system is not functioning properly, for example, due to a poor diet, you may have a zinc deficiency. This can manifest as painful sores in the mouth. If you have a vitamin C deficiency, you may eventually get cracks in the corners of your mouth. The herpes virus thrives when your immune system is weakened. So, if it is present in your body, it can be reactivated and then often affects the lips or mouth area.
- Liver cirrhosis: The end stage of chronic liver disease is characterized by the following symptoms: jaundice, ascites, a coated tongue (reddish burning tongue), and cracked corners of the mouth.
- Autoimmune disease: The autoimmune disease Sjögren's syndrome primarily affects women and specifically targets the salivary glands. After menopause, many affected individuals struggle with chronically dry mouth and dry eyes, which makes everyday life difficult. Other possible symptoms include: speech and swallowing disorders, changes in taste, dry lips, and even sores in the corners of the mouth.
Cracked corners of the mouth after the dentist
Do you frequently experience cracked corners of your mouth after a dental visit? If so, there could be a simple mechanical reason: if the dentist opens your mouth insensitively, small skin cracks can occur, and germs can colonize the skin.
When to see a doctor for cracked corners of the mouth?
Cracked corners of the mouth are often caused by a combination of dry heated air and cold in winter. However, this problem can be remedied with nourishing lip creams and ointments. In just a few days, you'll see that your cracked lips are gone!
If your care routine doesn't help and the cracks keep recurring, you should see a doctor. An iron deficiency is often the reason, especially in women. This can usually be remedied by a change in diet or taking an iron supplement (under medical supervision!).
The corners of the mouth take longer to heal in winter because the immune system is already weakened. If additional inflammation, scabs, or coatings develop, it could be bacterial or viral infections. However, a doctor can treat them well.
Home remedies for cracked corners of the mouth?
There are many short- and long-term solutions once the cause has been determined. Some of these include: boosting immunity, changing your diet to compensate for iron deficiency, or applying one of the following methods:
- Zinc-containing ointment for cold sores is a trigger for cracked corners of the mouth.
- If you're looking for relief from inflammation and bacteria, mix honey and olive oil. Apply the paste to the corners of your mouth morning and evening.
- Sage tea - To make sage tea, add two teaspoons of sage leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for ten minutes before dabbing it on the cracked areas several times a day with a cotton ball.
- Cut a garlic clove and apply it directly to the crack. The allicin in garlic helps reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Aloe vera gel is not only good for your skin but also has a long list of benefits. These ingredients are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and moisturize your skin - all at once!
- Although very effective, tea tree oil should be used with caution due to its intense plant and essential oils. These components can cause skin irritation in some people.
How can you prevent cracked corners of the mouth?
If you constantly run your tongue over dry lips, you risk developing angular cheilitis. Even if your mouth corners are only slightly cracked, this provides an opportunity for bacteria to grow and thrive and cause inflammation. Instead, use a lip balm or similar product to moisturize and care for your lips. A poor diet also worsens the symptoms. In this case, the injury should not be exacerbated by spicy foods, as this only delays healing. Avoid spicy and acidic foods in particular. When brushing your teeth, it is best to avoid wide brush strokes so that the toothbrush does not painfully hit the corners of your mouth. In general, be careful to avoid possible triggers. Furthermore, especially during the winter months, it is important to moisturize your lips with fatty ointments or lip balms to protect them from drying out.
