What causes cracked or sore corners of the mouth?
Nov 05, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
In general, cracked corners of the mouth may be caused by dry climate, malnutrition, bad habits, angular cheilitis, or contact dermatitis. Treatment options include general measures and medication. It is important to keep the lips clean, avoid licking them with the tongue, drink plenty of water, and take adequate B-complex vitamins to promote healing of the mouth corners.
Generally, cracked corners of the mouth may be caused by dry climate, malnutrition, bad habits, angular cheilitis, or contact dermatitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:
1. Dry Climate
In dry environments, lips are prone to cracking, which can affect the corners of the mouth, leading to dehydration and dryness of the skin at the corners, ultimately resulting in cracked mouth corners. Try to maintain moderate indoor humidity and drink plenty of water.
2. Malnutrition
A deficiency in nutrients such as vitamin B2, vitamin B6, or iron can easily trigger inflammatory reactions at the corners of the mouth, causing them to become eroded. Improve your diet by increasing intake of foods such as animal liver and lean meat.
3. Bad Habits
Long-term habits such as lip-licking, lip-biting, or finger-chewing can irritate and damage the mucous membranes at the corners of the mouth, leading to cracking. Avoid licking your lips and work to correct these bad habits. Lip balms can be used to keep the lips moisturized.
4. Angular Cheilitis
Angular cheilitis may result from malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies. A lack of vitamin B2 directly impairs the growth and repair capacity of skin and mucous membranes, leading to erosion at the corners of the mouth. This condition may also be accompanied by symptoms such as pain and bleeding. Under a doctor’s guidance, patients may use medications such as acyclovir ointment, erythromycin ointment, or compound chlorhexidine mouthwash for treatment.
5. Contact Dermatitis
Cosmetics, oral care products, or food allergies may lead to contact dermatitis. Inflammation triggers an allergic reaction in the skin at the corners of the mouth, manifesting as cracking. Symptoms may include papules or blisters. It is recommended to take medications such as loratadine tablets, chlorphenamine and paracetamol tablets, or hydrocortisone tablets under medical supervision.
Maintain good lip hygiene in daily life, avoid licking lips with the tongue, drink sufficient water, and moderately supplement B-complex vitamins to promote healing of the mouth corners.
