Sores in the Corners of the Mouth

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

18 Dec 2008 09:51 PM

The last few winters have brought me a new problem: the corners of my mouth dry out and crack open. It's painful, it looks ugly and makes me self-conscious, and I'm having a hard time healing it. If I open my mouth too wide (like for a yawn), anything that has healed cracks open again. It's very frustrating!

You know what that means: time to do some research and write an article.

There are a few names for this sort of problem. According to Columbia University's Go Ask Alice health site, this is known as angular cheilitis, angular stomatitis, or perleche. The first is an inflammatory condition that can cause bleeding and ulceration in addition to the tiny cracks at the corners of the mouth.

So why do the cracks develop? It could be any of the following:

• Some sort of infection, including staph, strep, and yeast.
• Dry lips and skin -- particularly during winter weather. (This is my problem, I think.)
• A deficiency in B vitamins, especially B2, B6, and B12. (Possibly part of my problem, though I do take a B multi-vitamin.) Iron deficiency anemia.
• Allergic reaction to a substance used on the lips or in the mouth. (Probably not the cause in my case; I haven't switched to any new lip balms or dental care products that might trigger a reaction.)
• Poorly fitting dentures. (Definitely not my problem!)

The home remedies the site suggests are things I'm already doing. I keep the area hydrated and protected by using petroleum jelly, unscented lip balm, and even aloe vera gel. I'm also trying to drink more to keep myself hydrated from within. Go Ask Alice suggests that if the problem doesn't clear up in a week or so, a health care professional might need to take a look in order to prescribe a stronger medication if necessary.

In the meantime? I'm trying to keep my big mouth shut!

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Memartha (306) 19 Dec 2008 04:43 AM

I get these sometimes. Extra doses of vitamin B usually clears it up.

Samual (11722) 19 Dec 2008 11:15 AM

when I get these I get vitamin B capsules, cut one open and smear the contents on the cracked skin, just to warn you some of these pills look like actual poo inside.

Aimee Amodio (11995) 19 Dec 2008 11:46 AM

Both excellent ideas! I'll try taking the vitamins first, and see how that goes. :)

TammyF0915 (5) 22 Dec 2008 08:43 AM

This happened to a friend of mine for years. She could not get rid of the sores even after repeated visits to her family doctor. After making an appt with a dermatologist for a completely unrelated issue, he mentioned that he could also write her a script for the "yeast overgrowth" at the corners of her mouth. Yep - he took one look at her and knew exactly what the issue was. She filled the script for some kind of cream and the sores were completely gone within a week. They've only came back a handful of times in the last 20 years and one call to the derm for a new script and she's as good as new again. I'd say to make an appt with a dermatologist!