Sores in the corners of the mouth

Cracks in the corners of the mouth are a problem that almost everyone has encountered at least once in their life. Cracks most often appear at the beginning of spring, when the body's defenses are exhausted, there is an acute lack of vitamins, etc.

Small cracks in the corners of the mouth, which sometimes cause very severe pain when trying to open the mouth, are better known among doctors as angular stomatitis. They can be caused by streptococci or yeast-like fungi Candida. Irritation in the corners of the mouth causes a lot of inconvenience to a person - it becomes more difficult to eat, especially salty, sour, spicy food causes very severe pain, it is difficult for a person to talk, the affected area constantly itches, burns, in addition, angular cheilitis spoils the appearance, making it untidy. Especially often angular cheilitis appears in small children, whose immune system is just forming. In addition, children tend to put everything in their mouth and taste it, which can lead to infection, especially if there are lesions on the skin in the lip area or on the oral mucosa.

Cracks in the corners of the mouth must be treated, otherwise unsightly crusts and bleeding ulcers may appear. But before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause of the cracks, and there may be more than one.

Causes of cracks in the corners of the mouth

Streptococcus bacteria are the most common cause of angular cheilitis, and fungal bacteria, the so-called candidal cheilitis in the corners of the mouth, are a little less common.

Streptococcal angular cheilitis occurs as a result of small cracks, poor personal hygiene, dry skin, hypothermia or overheating, advanced carious processes in the oral cavity, braces, dentures, and the habit of licking lips.

Candidal angular cheilitis occurs as a result of infection by fungi of the genus Candida. Almost always, candidal angular cheilitis in the corners of the mouth is accompanied by candidiasis of the tongue or oral cavity. In nature, yeast-like fungi are widespread, they are present on fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. They live on the skin and mucous membranes, activating their pathogenic properties in the event of a weakened immune system. Cracks in the corners of the mouth are formed with immune deficiency, very often against the background of taking antibiotics, cytostatics, hormones, etc. Cracks in the corners of the mouth often bother HIV-infected people.

Angular cheilitis is caused by anemia, which is expressed by pale skin and conjunctivitis. Iron deficiency in the body is expressed by dry and rough skin, dull and brittle hair prone to falling out, weak nails (brittleness, dullness, etc.). Anemia can develop as a result of poor nutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, which leads to hypovitaminosis.

The mucous membrane of the lips can be affected as a result of a lack of vitamin B2 in the body, which occurs due to a sharp reduction in dairy products in the diet or chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

Long-lasting, frequently recurring cracks in the corners of the mouth can bother patients with diabetes. This disease disrupts metabolism, which leads to low resistance of the body to bacterial infections.

Why are there cracks in the corners of the mouth?

Cracks in the corners of the mouth can appear in almost every person, regardless of age. Cracks in the corners of the mouth most often bother with the arrival of spring, against the background of weakened immunity. The reasons for the appearance can be different, but usually it is a malfunction of the body, which occurs as a result of improper functioning of the internal organs. In this case, if at some point you felt that you have cracks in the corners of the mouth, you need to listen to your body, maybe this is a signal of a more serious problem.

Also, the cause of angular cheilitis is often bacteria, which are transmitted through kissing, using other people's personal things (lipstick, dishes). Small children often put everything in their mouths - this is how the infection gets in.

As a rule, cracks in the corners of the mouth begin to appear when the body's defenses are weakened, with a vitamin deficiency (more often in the spring). Often, people who suffer from cracks in the corners of the mouth have a vitamin B deficiency in their body. But there are many reasons for the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth - for example, cracks in the corners of the mouth can appear as a result of an allergic reaction to toothpaste or some foods, and an incorrect bite, braces or dentures can provoke irritation in the corners of the mouth. Therefore, before starting treatment, you need to find out the reason for the cracks in the corners of the mouth, because if you treat only cracks, ignoring the reason for their appearance, this will lead to constant relapses.

If you know for sure that the cause of cracks on the lips is not related to health or taking medications, and cracks in the corners of the mouth bother you again and again, you need to pay attention to your diet. Cottage cheese, cheese, beef, eggs (yolk), liver contain a sufficient amount of vitamin B, so regular consumption of such products will be an excellent prevention of cracks. You can also include plant foods in your diet - green beans, fresh peas, broccoli, bran, spinach, wheat, rye. You can take a course of biologically active supplements with brewer's yeast.

Lack of iron and zinc in the body can cause constant cracks in the corners of the mouth. To prevent the development of anemia, you need to eat as many nuts, potatoes, pomegranates, mushrooms, parsley, peaches, oatmeal, buckwheat, asparagus, and rye as possible. Eating liver, heart, and red meat will help increase the level of iron in the body. To replenish zinc reserves, you need to regularly eat seafood, eggs, pumpkin seeds, brewer's yeast, greens, and sprouted wheat grains.

Also, when angular cheilitis appears, you can take a course of vitamins that will help strengthen the entire body as a whole.

What to do if you have cracks in the corners of your mouth?

If the cracks in the corners of the mouth do not go away, even after certain treatment, it is necessary to take a scraping to identify the pathogen (streptococcus, staphylococcus, yeast-like fungi), and do a blood test to determine the level of vitamin B in the body.

If the cause of the angular cheilitis is a fungus, the doctor will prescribe antifungal drugs, the selection of which is carried out individually, taking into account the sensitivity to drugs and the characteristics of a particular disease.

The cause of angular cheilitis may be carious teeth, tartar, poor-quality dentures or crowns, so it is necessary to monitor the condition of your oral cavity and regularly visit the dentist. Smokers are advised to limit the number of cigarettes per day or completely give up the bad habit.

You need to pay attention to your diet, you should add foods rich in vitamins to your diet, primarily vitamin B. It is best to eat whole grains (bran, unrefined rice), green leafy vegetables, avocado, nuts, which contain the maximum content of this vitamin. Among animal products, egg yolk, poultry, fish, and cheese are distinguished by a large amount of riboflavin (vit. B).

You should also eat foods containing vitamin E – cold-pressed vegetable oil, legumes, cabbage, corn.

You need to eat more vegetables and fruits, include dairy products in your diet. You need to give up sour, spicy, salty foods. It is best to eat boiled meat. In case of angular cheilitis caused by yeast-like fungi, you need to limit your consumption of sweets.

To speed up the healing process of cracks, you can apply an oil solution of vitamin E, olive oil, linseed oil to the affected areas. The delicate skin of the lips in the cold season must be protected with a special lipstick.

A poultice of oak bark and alder cones, which has astringent and antibacterial properties, helps relieve the condition of the back. Tea tree oil, which is used twice a day, also has a good bactericidal effect.

Treatment of angular cheilitis

In order for the cracks in the corners of the mouth to disappear safely, you must first eradicate the source of the disease. If you suspect that the cracks appeared after some illness, taking medications, etc., you should consult a doctor who can prescribe the appropriate effective treatment.

The habit of licking your lips, eating a lot of sweets, alcohol, unbalanced diet - all this will provoke the appearance of angular cheilitis. Therefore, if angular cheilitis has become a frequent "guest" on your lips, you need to change your diet.

If the cracks in the corners of the mouth are not due to a disease or medications, you can cure them yourself. First of all, you need to exclude spicy, sour, salty foods from your daily menu - everything that irritates the mucous membrane. You also need to increase the amount of liquid you drink daily, since the body needs it to restore the skin. You need to buy syntomycin ointment at the pharmacy, which has good anti-inflammatory properties.

You can treat cracks in the corners of your mouth yourself using some fairly effective folk remedies:

Herbal poultices

It has long been known that nature is rich in various medicinal herbs and plants. Herbs with anti-inflammatory properties are very helpful for angular cheilitis: chamomile, sage, calendula, celandine. Regular green tea also helps well (you can use tea bags, which after brewing warm apply to the affected areas of the lips). Also, a great remedy for angular cheilitis is a lotion made from an infusion of oak bark and alder cones.

Rosehip, avocado, tea tree, linseed, olive and sea buckthorn oils will soften the skin and relieve discomfort. Apply a cotton pad soaked in oil to the affected areas a couple of times a day.

Propolis has excellent anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, so it can rightfully be considered one of the best remedies for getting rid of angular cheilitis. For treatment, you need to prepare propolis oil: mix 10 grams of propolis and 100 grams of butter, heat in a water bath for about 10 minutes, then strain, store in a dark glass jar. The resulting oil should be applied to the angular cheilitis several times a day.

A cream made from the rhizome of cinquefoil helps well with deep cracks on the lips. This cream is easy to make at home: you will need 200 grams of butter and 5 grams of rhizome (can be purchased at a pharmacy). The powder from the rhizome is mixed with butter and cooked over low heat for about 20 minutes. It is recommended to lubricate the corners of the mouth and lips with this cream 2-3 times a day.

An apple mask effectively helps to cope with angular cheilitis. To prepare such a mask, you need to mix grated apple with butter (in equal proportions) and apply to the affected areas.

Plants such as aloe and Kalanchoe (which can often be seen on grandmothers' windowsills) have anti-inflammatory and softening properties; to treat angular cheilitis, you just need to squeeze a little juice out of a leaf and lubricate the affected areas with it.

At night, it is good to lubricate the corners of the lips with honey or melted wax mixed with hemp oil.

How to treat cracks in the corners of the mouth?

It is easier to prevent angular cheilitis than to treat it, so if you know the causes that provoke angular cheilitis, it is better to avoid them. But if angular cheilitis does appear, then treatment should be started immediately, so as not to start the process.

If you feel the first signs of the disease, you need to take a course of B vitamins, which must include vitamin B2. You can buy vitamins at the pharmacy or make up your menu in such a way that it includes products containing a large amount of this vitamin - eggs, especially the yolk, chicken, avocado, bran, cabbage, cheese, brown rice, legumes. For children, it is good to give brewer's yeast mixed with boiled water.

During the illness, you should avoid spicy, salty, smoked foods. It is better to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible, dairy products, which will help get rid of angular cheilitis faster. Of course, vitamins and a special diet will not help immediately get rid of itching and burning, which cause maximum discomfort, so it is recommended to use local therapy in combination with vitamin nutrition - ointments, lotions, creams, which will help reduce, and in some cases completely get rid of unpleasant sensations. Oil solutions (vitamin E, olive, sea buckthorn, etc.) soften dry skin well. You can also lubricate the affected areas with ordinary black tea leaves.

If the cracks in the corners of the mouth have become advanced or do not respond to treatment with home remedies, you should see a doctor. It is essential to treat cracks in the corners of the mouth, since they will not go away on their own, without your participation, the inflammatory process will involve more and more areas of skin, and the pain will become more and more intense every day.

Ointment for cracks in the corners of the mouth

If cracks in the corners of the lips are the result of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use antifungal agents - nystatin, levorin. Mercury 5% or erythromycin 1% ointment also helps to reduce painful symptoms.

Teymurov's paste, tetracycline ointments, levomekol are quite effective drugs for the treatment of angular cheilitis. Tetracycline ointment is an antibacterial agent, which contains an antibiotic that prevents the proliferation of bacteria. Levomekol is a combination drug that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action, helps well to suppress the proliferation of staphylococcal, pseudomonas bacteria. The ointment also has regenerative properties. Teymurov's paste has good disinfectant properties, it effectively destroys microbes, dries the skin.

An ointment for the treatment of angular cheilitis should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account your condition and the reason for the appearance of angular cheilitis, the specialist will be able to prescribe effective therapy.

Vitamins for cracks in the corners of the mouth

Cracks in the corners of the mouth may indicate a lack of vitamins in the body. In this way, our body lets us know that we need to pay attention to our diet. If there are no health problems, but cracks in the corners of the mouth periodically make themselves known, you need to take a course of vitamins, in particular those containing vitamin B2.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, helps our skin maintain a young and beautiful appearance. A deficiency of this vitamin can cause nervous disorders, breakdowns, digestive problems, gastritis, general malaise, various skin diseases, and decreased immunity.

Also, with angular cheilitis, the body experiences an acute shortage of iron and zinc. The lack of these microelements causes anemia. With anemia, the body experiences a shortage of red blood cells, the hemoglobin level decreases. As a rule, anemia develops as a result of insufficient iron. Strict diets, poor nutrition, in particular quick snacks on the go can lead to iron deficiency. In childhood, anemia often develops from excessive consumption of sweets and refusal of healthy foods. Therefore, the first symptom of iron deficiency in the body can be angular cheilitis in the corners of the mouth.

When choosing vitamins, you can buy a complete complex, which will also include vitamin B2, iron and zinc, or you can buy preparations separately, for example, B vitamins (it is imperative to pay attention to the vitamin complex to include vitamin B2) and preparations containing zinc and iron. Preparations with iron or zinc may also contain additional vitamins, for example, vitamin C, which activates the body's defenses, which will not be superfluous for cracks in the lips.

Prevention of cracks in the corners of the mouth

If you often have cracks in the corners of your mouth, you need to stick to a certain diet, which includes foods with a high content of vitamins B2, E, iron and zinc. You need to limit sweets, eat more vegetables and fruits. Reduce the consumption of smoked, salty, spicy, etc.

It is necessary to undergo a preventive examination by a dentist twice a year, because, as noted above, advanced dental caries can be the cause of regular cracks in the corners of the lips. It is necessary to ensure that dentures and crowns do not cause discomfort and are comfortable, because this can also lead to irritation of the mucous membrane and the appearance of cracks.

Dryness and peeling of the lips are the harbingers of angular cheilitis, so to prevent the appearance of angular cheilitis, you can use some tips:

Thermal water is an excellent preventative measure against angular cheilitis. To prevent cracks in the corners of the lips, simply moisten your lips with thermal water several times a day. Also, a hygienic lipstick based on thermal water will help very well.

A decoction of flax seeds will also help prevent angular cheilitis. To prepare the decoction, you will need 2 teaspoons of seeds and a glass of water. Boil the mixture over low heat until it becomes mushy and apply several times a day to the lips and corners of the mouth. You can also use any honey, which you can lubricate your lips with at night.

An interesting remedy that helps prevent angular cheilitis is a mixture of lard and rose petals (from one flower). Mix the petals with a tablespoon of lard, rub thoroughly, and lubricate your lips with the resulting mixture.

Cracks in the corners of the mouth can appear at any age, both in men and women. In this case, the main thing is timely and effective treatment. An inflammatory process left to its own devices will eventually affect more and more areas of the skin, deep cracks and bleeding ulcers may appear. The sooner treatment is started and the cause of cracks in the corners of the mouth is determined (vitamin deficiency, weak immunity as a result of illness or taking medications, caries, etc.), the more effective and faster the recovery will be. Eliminating the cause of cracks in the corners of the mouth will rid you of this unpleasant disease for a long time.