Why lips crack in the corners of the mouth: causes, treatment and prevention

What to do when the corners of the lips cracked? In folk medicine, the phenomenon of dry lips breaking and cracking corners is called jamming. There are several names in the official phenomenon: angulitis, angular stomatitis, cheilitis ... In each case, it implies the presence of irritation and inflammation, which from the corners of the lips passes to the surrounding skin. Red spots have the ability to literally “creep” over the face, which is why an unpleasant “Pierrot mask” forms on it.

The reasons

Why does an adult's mouth sore and tear? The disease causes physical and psychological discomfort, but the reasons why the lips crack in the corners of the mouth and the technique for treating the disease have long been known. With the development of the disease, doctors talk about the occurrence of an inflammatory process of a bacterial or fungal nature. It does not develop from scratch: you may have noticed that spots and cracks occur in autumn or spring, that is, during the off-season. At this time, our immunity works to the limit and is often in a weakened state. The slightest weakening of it gives an opportunity for the growth of opportunistic flora (“conditionally”, because this flora always lives on our skin, but becomes dangerous only with a decrease in immunity).

And the disease develops in areas least protected from it. Therefore, specialists with dry lips and cracking of their corners call the following provoking factors.

1. Avitaminosis - a lack of vitamins B, A and E becomes a risk factor for angular stomatitis. In order to prevent disease, vitamin preparations should be taken during the off-season.
2. Caries - often answer the question why the corners of the lips are chapped, only 2 doctors can: a dermatologist and a dentist. The first will determine the type of infection, and the second will cure a carious disease, which stimulates inflammation in the corners of the lips.
3. Malocclusion - or wearing braces, dental processes. In each case, the natural outflow of saliva is disturbed, and it accumulates at the junction of the lips. Corners get wet, their protective flora changes, conditions arise for the growth of fungi.
4. Habit of licking lips (and in children sucking a pacifier, finger) - in these cases, the skin crackes in the corners of the lips, the surrounding tissues dry and peel. The skin loses its protective properties, becomes susceptible to the effects of fungi and bacteria.
5. Metabolism and diabetes - not the most common, but quite probable reason. Diabetes changes the condition of all mucous membranes, including the oral cavity. Another symptom of a dangerous disease is a constant thirst that does not go away, even if you drink a liter of water in one gulp.
6. Allergy to cosmetics - Also a likely factor due to which the corners of the lips crack. What to do in this case? Observe: if after using the lipstick there is irritation, itching, dryness, such cosmetics should be urgently disposed of.

Treatment

Mouth cracking in the corners of the lips? The correct solution to the problem will be contacting a dermatologist who will find out the reason why the corners of the lips are torn and prescribe treatment. It always requires an integrated approach, that is:

1. the use of funds to eliminate inflammation;
2. elimination of stimulating factors.

The first include:

• Antibacterial ointments (for example, erythromycin, syntomycin liniment), if the inflammation is bacterial in nature.Or fluconazole-based products (nystatin, sulfur-salicylic, levorin ointment), if the disease is fungal in nature. To find out the type of inflammation will help a visual examination by a specialist and scraping of the affected tissues. The result is usually determined within a few minutes, and the treatment is highly effective.
• Means for oral administration, also based on an antibiotic or fluconazole. They are prescribed for a significant development of infection or in the presence of metabolic diseases, immune disorders. If the disease arose for the first time and only the corners of the lips crack, treatment usually does not require oral medication, it is limited only to the use of ointments.
• Folk remedies - use products that moisturize and soften the skin. All oils have a good emollient effect (olivevegetable sea ​​buckthorn), reduces inflammation of tea tree oil. Stimulate the healing of aloe juice, Kalanchoe, plantain.

Prevention

If the problem is what to do if the corner of the mouth bursts and does not heal, it is relevant for you, you should take preventive measures, even if the disease is already behind.

• Timely caries treatment.
• To give up smokingas addiction, which violates the natural flora of the oral cavity and surrounding tissues.
• Using quality cosmetics and mandatory lip protection with balm or hygienic lipstick if you leave the house in cold and windy weather.
• Balanced diet with a lot of vitamins - they are found in fruits and vegetables.

As you can see, if the corners of the lips crack, the reason usually lies on the surface. Follow preventive measures to prevent recurrence of the disease, and if it occurs, be sure to visit a doctor to choose treatment tactics.