What causes the corners of the mouth to crack ?

If you have a sore or a crack at the corner of your mouth, then the cause of it is a skin problem called Angular Cheilitis or Perleche.

This problem is caused by the infection of the labial commissure (the corner of the mouth) by the fungus Candida Albicans or by a bacteria.

Researchers have also proven that people who have a deficiency in vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B-3 (Niacin), vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) or vitamin B-12 (Cyanomobalamin) as well as those who have iron deficiency are at a higher risk of having this problem.

There is a variety of factors that trigger the inflammation of the corners of the mouth and the occurrence of angular cheilitis.

For example, the use of ill-fitting dentures by elderly people can cause the over closure of the mouth. because of this, saliva builds up in the corners of the mouth and favors a bacterial or fungal infection.

The long exposure to the sun or to the cold wind can also cause the the corners of the mouth to crack. And then, what makes things even worse is that infected people often lick their lips in an attempt to provide a moment of temporary relief.

Other conditions that cause the corners of the mouth to crack are allergies to toothpastes or cosmetics and seborrheic dermatitis.

How to heal the sores in the corners of the mouth with 10 simple home remedies.

1. Honey
Honey works great in fighting with the infection-causing microorganisms. Apply honey on the angular cheilitis and let it rest for 15 minutes. This can also be used alongside cucumber.



 2. Aloe Vera Gel
 For treating and alleviating the pain of angular cheilitis, rubbing aloe vera on the cracked corners of the mouth also proves to be helpful. Refrigerate a leaf of aloe vera prior to applying it on the affected area. Rub it for a few minutes and let it dry for at least 15-20 minutes before washing it. This is a natural treatment for angular cheilitis.

3. Lip Balms and Moisturizers
Unscented and unflavored lip balms, like petroleum jelly or virgin coconut oil heal the infection and are an excellent natural treatment for angular cheilitis. Ensure that there are no chemical substances present in the balm or moisturizer. Do this as many times as possible in the daytime and right before sleeping.

4. Water
“Hydrate yourself” is the best mantra for treating yourself with angular cheilitis. Drink enough water, so that you do not get chapped and dry lips, which eventually develop cracks. Keep the body hydrated by consuming 10-12 glasses of water daily to cure cracked lips.

5. Cocoa Butter
To get rid of dry lips and eventually avoiding the problem of chapped lips, cocoa butter is a very good moisturizer. Apply a small amount of natural cocoa butter, twice or thrice a day on the affected area, for treating angular cheilitis.


6. Homemade Mixture
2 tablespoons of tea tree oil, 1 tablespoon of Vitamin E oil, and ½ tablespoon of petroleum jelly should be mixed and applied over the cracked area as many times possible in a day.  This remedy will heal the slits around the corners of the lip.


7. Lemon
Angular cheilitis can be treated at home by applying lemon.


8. Cucumber
Put a slice of cucumber on the affected area. You can also rub it gently. It will alleviate the soreness, caused due to angular cheilitis.


9. Neem Leaves
Extract the juice of fresh neem leaves by crushing them. Apply it on the affected area to destroy the infection-causing micro-organisms.

10. Over-the-counter Ointments
You can also apply natural ointments, available in the market, to get rid of angular cheilitis. Terrasil Skin Repair is one such product that provides noticeable improvements within one day. It relieves inflammation, redness and irritation associated with angular cheilitis.

Measures to Prevent Angular Cheilitis

• Avoid licking your lips.
• Boost up your immune system.
• Take supplements of Vitamin B, folate and iron in order to overcome their deficiencies in your body.
• Visit your dentist to get your dentures readjusted.
• Drink plenty of water.