Angular cheilitis, also known as perleche, is common and occurs when the corners, or angles, of your mouth become inflamed, and yeast and bacteria may grow in those spots, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. And, it’s not the same as chapped lips, says Dr. Rachel Ward, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “Chapped lips typically occur on the pink part of the lip (the mucosal lip) and the area right above the lip (the cutaneous lip),” she explains. “Angular cheilitis only occurs in the corners of the mouth—hence ‘angular,’ the angles of the lips and mouth.” Redness, swelling, blistering and scaling in the corner of your mouth are common symptoms of angular cheilitis. The area may be itchy and painful. The redness and cracks in the corner of your mouth may also extend onto the nearby skin, says Dr. Ife Rodney, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology in Columbia, Maryland. So, what causes the corners of your mouth to get crusty and cracked, and what can you do about it? Dermatologists share their tips.
What causes cracks in the corner of your mouth?
Moisture is the chief cause of angular cheilitis, Rodney explains. Saliva tends to collect in the corners of your mouth, and as it dries, the skin can crack. You may be tempted to lick your dry, cracked lips to moisten them, but that actually exacerbates the problem by causing yeast or bacteria to grow. “Moisture can come from sweat, lip licking or drool, pooling at the corners of the mouth,” Rodney says. “Fungal organisms [like yeast] love these moist conditions and make the angular cheilitis worse.” Sometimes, wearing a mask for a long period of time can trigger angular cheilitis, too, by causing a staph bacterial infection of the skin, often known as “maskne,” she says. Angular cheilitis may become more common as you age, Ward adds, “Because of anatomical changes to the skin around our mouths as we age, we commonly develop an accentuated fold in this area, which can pool saliva, especially as we sleep.” People who wear dentures, especially poorly fitting ones, are at a higher risk, she says. Conditions like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and immunosuppression may also cause angular cheilitis. Less commonly, cracking at the corner of your mouth can be because of contact dermatitis or systemic infection, Ward explains. Iron or B-vitamin deficiency could also lead to angular cheilitis, Rodney says. “Other conditions like chapped lips or an allergic reaction to certain foods may lead to cracked lips, usually not limited to just the corners,” Rodney adds.
What to put on the cracked corner of your mouth
To soothe cracking at the corner of your mouth, start with applying a layer of plain petroleum jelly, like Vaseline. “This acts as a barrier to prevent saliva from pooling in the area, causing inflammation of the skin,” Ward explains. After a few weeks, if the corner of your mouth doesn’t get better with a petroleum jelly barrier, she suggests seeing a dermatologist or other health care provider. Since bacteria and yeast can grow in the spots, you may need further treatment, based on the cause of your angular cheilitis. “They may prescribe a mild steroid cream to ease the inflammation, along with an antifungal or antibiotic cream,” Rodney says. “Topical treatments, when used consistently, work best. As angular cheilitis is limited to the skin, topical medications combined with good hygiene are all you need.” Always keep the corners of your mouth clean and dry, she adds, “Try not to lick the lips and pat dry any sweat or moisture as soon as you notice it. This is especially important during COVID-19 as wearing masks add to sweat buildup around the mouth.” If you wear dentures, Ward says to be sure they’re cleaned and disinfected daily.
How to heal cracked lips in the corner of your mouth
Wintertime’s cold, dry air can dehydrate the skin, including the lips, and make it more likely to crack, Rodney says. Even if you don’t have angular cheilitis, regularly moisturizing your lips with products containing niacinamide or ceramides can help restore the protective skin barrier and prevent cracking. Angular cheilitis is very common, so there’s no need to worry, Ward says. But it’s important to get it checked out by someone skilled in treating the condition if at-home petroleum jelly doesn’t seem to help. Next, read up on how to keep your skin soft and bright this winter.
Sources:
Dr. Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, founder of Eternal DermatologyDr. Rachel Ward, MD, dermatologist, Cleveland ClinicAmerican Osteopathic College of Dermatology: “Angular Cheilitis”
