What causes cracked corners of the mouth?

Angular cheilitis, medically termed as cheilitis, is usually caused by a combination of various factors. Common causes include: 1. Dry climate: In arid environments, the skin and mucous membranes tend to lose moisture easily, leading to dryness and cracking. 2. Environmental factors: Prolonged exposure to cold or dry weather conditions may also cause dryness and cracking of the skin around the mouth. 3. Low humidity: Dry environments or prolonged dryness of the mouth can cause the skin at the corners of the mouth to lose moisture, leading to cracking. 4. Nutritional deficiencies: Particularly a lack of vitamin B2 and iron can weaken the skin's ability to repair itself, contributing to the development of angular cheilitis. 5. Bad habits: Frequently licking the corners of the mouth with the tongue may provide temporary moistening, but after saliva evaporates, it leaves the area even drier and more prone to cracking. 6. Trauma: Mechanical injury to the corners of the mouth may occur when the area is subjected to external impact or when consuming hard foods, resulting in cracking. 7. Fungal infection: Excessive growth of fungi such as Candida albicans in the mouth can cause infectious angular cheilitis. 8. Skin diseases: Conditions such as eczema or dermatitis may also affect the corners of the mouth.